How to organize: For people with ADHD
- Julia .
- Sep 27
- 3 min read
Organizing when you have ADHD can feel like herding cats. If you’ve ever looked around your space and thought, “Where do I even start???” you’re not alone.
As an art therapist, I know that organization isn’t just about tidying up. It’s about creating systems that feel doable, esthetic, and personalized to your unique brain. Whether you’re tackling your art supplies, office, or just daily clutter, here are some helpful, ADHD-friendly organization hacks you may not have tried yet.
🎵 1. Make It a Game Show
Set a timer, blast your favorite playlist, and race against the clock like you’re on a cleaning game show.👉 Twist: give yourself points for each item you put away, and track your “high scores.” ADHD brains love rewards!
Begin with what motivates you; if your bookshelf is what draws you in, start there, and the positive cycle will begin to unfold!
🖍 2. Color-Coding, But Make It Silly
Instead of boring file folders, assign ridiculous themes:
Red = bills (danger!)
Green = finances (💵)
Purple = “royal stuff only” (passports, birth certificates, medical notes)
A color you dislike = We'll get to that later.
The sillier the system, the more memorable it is.
3. Host a “Clutter Party”
Invite friends over for what I call a pile party. Work through each others clutter together, giving away things your friends like and vice versa.” Bonus: it turns a dreaded task into a bonding activity.
📸 4. Use a different perspective
Take a photo of the messy area before you start. Suddenly, you’ll see the clutter in a new light. ADHD brains love visual contrast, so snapping an “after” pic can give you an instant hit of dopamine.
5. Try the Surprise Box Method
Not sure if you’ll need something? Toss it into a decorated box, date it, and stash it away. If you haven’t opened it in 3–6 months, donate it without peeking. Think of it as sending a future person a mystery present.
🏆 6a. Create a “Special Shelf” for Essentials
ADHD brains need visible systems. Instead of hiding your keys, wallet, or meds in drawers, display them on a special shelf or a special bowl, like trophies for surviving adulthood. Limit it to your top 5 things you need to prevent all of the shelf from becoming special.
🌱 6b. Grow a “Clutter Plant”
If you always toss stuff in the same spot (like the counter), embrace it. Put a cute basket there and call it your clutter plant. Once a week, “prune” it. This makes the drop zone intentional instead of chaotic.
🎲 8. Roll the Dice
Overwhelmed? Assign numbers to different tasks or rooms, roll a dice, and let chance decide where you start. Turning chores into games makes them way more approachable.
🧩 9. Mini-Puzzle Cleaning
Instead of “clean the living room,” break it into micro-challenges:
Pick up everything red.
Then, remove all trash.
Then, gather books. By making it a puzzle, you keep your brain engaged and avoid burnout.
🎯 10. Label With Humor
Labels don’t have to be boring. Use doodles, emojis, or inside jokes. Example: put a 👑 sticker on your medication box because you’re a queen (or king) for remembering them.
Why Organizing Matters for ADHD and Mental Health
For many people with ADHD, clutter isn’t about laziness—it’s about the brain craving systems that are visual, rewarding, and fun. Organization can actually support mental health by reducing stress and creating a sense of control.
As an art therapist in Denver, I see every day how creative approaches can turn overwhelming tasks into playful rituals. Sometimes the trick isn’t “discipline." It’s designing systems that spark joy and curiosity.
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