I’m a messy person. I try not to see disorganization as part of my identity, but the truth is, unless nothing else is going on in my life and my mind is clear (which is rare!), I’m messy. And so I need organization hacks to help my ADHD brain keep up with daily demands.
With ADHD, there’s always a flood of thoughts: things I want to do, tasks I need to complete, random questions I’ll probably Google later. So when it comes to tidying up, it can feel like I’m running on autopilot—or zoning out completely.
I’m writing this because I moved our living room trash into the garage to go through some old junk. It’s been a few days, and my trash system in the house is already falling apart.
This post is about me rediscovering how important it is for me to keep a trash can in every room of my house (it’s probably my number one ADHD organization hack).
Why Cleaning Can Feel So Hard with ADHD
Focusing on cleaning makes me sad sometimes. I get frustrated that my organizational skills don’t feel “up to par” for my age. And as a mom, it’s defeating to see a room I just cleaned get messy again within 30 minutes.
I’ve reflected on my messiness and tried to change so many times. I’ve studied myself—especially my habit of setting things down on the nearest open surface, almost without thinking. But the truth is, for a split second, I do think about it.
There’s a semi-subconscious process where I decide that this surface and this moment are when and where I’ll take action. One reason trash builds up around my house is that, while I could walk it all the way to the kitchen trash can, something else always feels more important. So, I tell myself I’ll just set it here for now and come back to collect it later.
I’ve noticed my ADHD brain prioritizes whatever feels most urgent at the moment. That’s why I might set down trash on the nearest surface, thinking I’ll throw it away later—but later rarely comes. Soon, the trash blends into the clutter and becomes invisible until it’s a big problem.
A Powerful ADHD Organization Hack
When you have ADHD, a cluttered surface can feel like visual noise; it’s hard to distinguish individual items from the pile. The trash blends in and almost becomes invisible. And unlike your laptop or car keys, there’s no joy in spotting it.
Trash is ugly, something you naturally want to get rid of, so it stays low on the priority list—until it becomes a big problem (isn’t that so often the case with ADHD brains?).
What finally helped me was putting trash cans (or at least a trash station) in every room. In the laundry room, for example, I installed a wall-mounted bin for dryer lint, so it doesn’t end up on the bannister where it inevitably falls and gets mixed back in with the dirty clothes.
What finally helped me was this simple ADHD cleaning tip: put trash cans (or trash stations) in every room.
Examples of this ADHD organization hack in my house:
- The laundry room has a wall-mounted bin for dryer lint (no more lint on the bannister!).
- The living room has a small trash can behind the couch and a larger one near the stairs.
- There are two large trash cans downstairs and one upstairs—even though our home is under 1,500 square feet.
This ADHD-friendly system means I can toss trash as I go, without interrupting whatever else is on my mind. When it’s time to take out the trash, I’m already ahead because the trash is contained, not scattered.
Why This ADHD Organization Hack Works
If you can get rid of trash automatically on your way to do something else, your home stays that much cleaner. You have that solution built into each room, ready and waiting for you.
And you get the pleasure of enhanced efficiency, because when trash day comes, you can get into a “get rid of the trash” mode, going from one room to the other consolidating bags and carrying everything out to the bin.
- It removes friction—trash is dealt with in the moment, not “later.”
- It prevents clutter from building up and blending into the background.
- It gives you that satisfying sense of calm when trash day comes: just consolidate the bags and go.
Closing Thoughts on this ADHD Organization Hack
In the end, I brought the trash can back inside, and instantly, I felt a sense of organizational calm rush over me.
And that’s the real goal when it comes to organization, isn’t it? Not perfection, but systems that work with your ADHD brain, not against it. So here I am—a radiating bundle of joy, glad that one of my personal executive function toolkit tools suits me so well.
If you’re looking for easy, effective ADHD decluttering strategies, I hope this helps. Sometimes the simplest cleaning systems make the biggest difference. Just thought I’d share.
Additional EF Skill Resources:
- What is executive function? ->
- Free executive function tools ->
- Additional executive function strategies and tips
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