8 Easy Tips to Finish Decluttering with ADHD

I bet this has happened to you – you kick off with a burst of energy, determined to declutter your home and create a more peaceful life for your family. 

But shortly after you start decluttering, your initial momentum fizzles out, leaving you surrounded by half-sorted messes, and feeling more overwhelmed than when you started.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

It’s an all too familiar story for most ADHD moms. 

The burst of motivation is real, but so is the struggle to see tasks through to completion. 

The distractions, the sudden loss of interest, or the overwhelming sensation when the piles of clutter seem too daunting can all bring your decluttering efforts to a halt.

I get it. I’ve been there before – so I’m sharing some of my own real-life decluttering tips with you.

These 8 ADHD-friendly decluttering tips are designed to help you ride the wave of your initial motivation and help you cross the finish line.

So, if you’ve ever found yourself staring at a half-emptied closet or a drawer that got too daunting halfway through, this is for you.

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#1 – Hire someone to declutter for you

Hiring someone to declutter for you can be a game-changer, especially on those days when the clutter feels like it’s caving in on you.

Whether it’s a professional organizer who does this for a living, a friend who offers a fresh perspective and moral support, or a family member who knows your home almost as well as you do, getting help can get you past your roadblocks of decluttering.

The pros are pretty clear. With someone else doing the heavy lifting, decluttering and organizing gets done efficiently, often with results that might take you much longer to achieve on your own. 

However, there’s a flip side.

While hiring help can give your space a quick makeover, it might not leave you with the skills or habits you need to maintain that organization. 

It’s a bit like having someone do your workout for you; you get the immediate benefits, but without consistently practicing the exercises yourself, sustaining those results can be challenging.

So, while enlisting help is a great strategy to get past the finish line, it’s also crucial to be part of the process as much as possible.

That way, you not only enjoy a decluttered space but also gather the insights and routines that will help you keep it that way.

Pro tip: If you go this route, be sure you hire someone who has experience working with ADHD.

#2 – Hire a coach to walk you through decluttering

Now something you may not be as familiar with is the idea of hiring a decluttering coach. Someone who coaches you through the process but doesn’t necessarily put their hands on your stuff.

Hiring a coach to guide you through decluttering can be the beacon of light when your ADHD brain just can’t make sense of it all. 

It’s like having a compass a maze of your clutter, where you might know the direction but need that assurance and guidance at every turn. 

That’s exactly what I do as an online decluttering and habits coach for Christian ADHD moms.

I understand that the clutter isn’t just about the physical items.

It’s about the mental blocks, the overwhelming feelings, and the habits that keep you going back to the same cluttered and disorganized house.

When I coach you, I don’t just tell you what to throw out or where to put things. 

I walk with you through the entire process, step by step, help you understand what to do next, set realistic timelines, and most importantly, hold you accountable!

Together, we’ll work to shift your mindset about the items that fill your home, identifying what truly adds value to your life and what’s merely creating clutter.

We’ll dig into the habits that have been holding you back, dismantling the cycles of mess and replacing them with simple, effective systems tailored to maintain an organized, clutter-free home. 

It’s not just about clearing out your space for now. It’s about equipping you with the tools and mindset to keep it that way!

#3 – Watch and follow “declutter with me” videos

Watching and following “declutter with me” videos can be a fantastic way to maintain momentum and stay motivated as you tackle your decluttering project. 

These videos are widely available for free on YouTube and offer more than just tips and tricks.

They provide you with a sense of companionship and real-time guidance that can make your decluttering journey feel less daunting and more doable. 

It’s like having a decluttering buddy right there with you, cheering you on and guiding you through each step.

Now if you love the idea of declutter with me videos, you will love The Accountability Club.

This group program is specifically designed for Christian ADHD moms who are not just looking to declutter but to establish lasting systems in their homes. 

Inside The Accountability Club, you’ll find a suite of helpful decluttering tutorials and a supportive community that understands exactly what you’re going through. 

Each month, we focus on decluttering a new space, giving you ample time to thoroughly tackle each area before moving on. 

This way, you’re not just decluttering; you’re making thoughtful progress, ensuring that each space is given the attention it deserves, all while being supported by a community of moms who are on the same journey.

Here’s a sneak peek of the Kitchen Decluttering course inside The Accountability Club.

#4 – Listen to motivational music while you declutter

There’s something about music that just gets you motivated, right? 

When it’s decluttering day and you’re staring at a room that’s seen better days, a good playlist can be a total game-changer. 

Personally, I’m all for cranking up some country or worship music when I’m in deep-cleaning mode. It just sets the right vibe and keeps my spirits up.

Upbeat rock, pop, or country music is perfect for those high-energy decluttering sessions. Think about sorting through the garage or kitchen. 

And then, when you’re in a more slow and reflective mood, maybe going through your bedroom or trying to bring some peace into your living space, worship music can be incredibly grounding.

It brings a calmness to the process, helping you make those tough keep-or-toss decisions with a clear head.

The cool thing about having music on is that it helps you stay on track. 

Instead of getting lost in the clutter or sidetracked by little distractions, you’ve got some background music that keeps you moving forward. 

Plus, it’s a great way to make decluttering feel less like a chore and more enjoyable.

#5 – Use a visual timer to stay focused on decluttering

Using a visual timer is an awesome tool for helping you to stay focused on decluttering a room or even cleaning your house.

When you set that timer, it’s a visual commitment—you’re saying, “This is my time to tackle this, and nothing else.” 

Watching the time tick down can really amp up your focus. It’s like a gentle nudge, reminding you to keep at it and that there’s an end in sight.

But it’s not just about keeping you on track. A visual timer like this one can also be a great way to practice and strengthen your discipline muscle. 

It teaches you to stick with one task at a time, which, let’s be honest, can be super tough, especially when you’re surrounded by a dozen things calling for your attention. 

And when that timer dings? That’s your cue to either make yourself a well-deserved chai latte or to take a much-needed breather before diving back in.

Here’s a pro tip: Start small. Set that timer for just 5 minutes to sort through that kitchen utensil drawer or 10 minutes for the bathroom counter. 

It’s amazing what you can achieve in these focused bursts. 

Plus, it’s a lot less daunting when you know you’re only committing a small chunk of time. 

And as you get more comfortable, you can gradually increase the time, building your decluttering stamina.

#6 – Follow a decluttering checklist

Having a decluttering checklist is like having a map for tidying up your space. 

It guides you through the chaos, ensuring you don’t miss a spot and helping you tackle the task systematically. 

You can either find a ready-made checklist online that resonates with your home’s layout or create a custom one that perfectly fits your space.

Creating your own checklist is surprisingly simple. To make your own decluttering checklist, grab a piece of paper and list each cabinet, drawer, and area of a particular room from right to left or left to right. 

If a closet is on the right, then start on the left. Declutter closets last so that you are not creating a bigger mess in an already cluttered space. 

Then get to work decluttering going down your checklist one area at a time. 

Tackle each area one by one with these three straightforward steps: clear the space, sort the items, and stage what stays. 

Clearing the space gives you a blank canvas to work with, sorting helps you decide what’s really worth keeping, and staging allows you to organize what you’ve chosen in a way that makes sense for your life.

#7 – Limit your distractions while decluttering (phone, children, television, etc)

If you already struggle with your ADHD, having additional distractions doesn’t help. Before you start decluttering, limit your distractions as much as possible. 

Maybe you need to schedule some time to declutter while your kids are at school or at their grandparents’ house. 

And let’s not forget to mention the thing that distracts us the most – our cell phone. It’s amazing and all, but it’s also a master of distraction. Those pings and rings can pull you away from your decluttering job faster than you can say “clutter.” 

So, start flexing your focus muscles with small, everyday tasks. 

Try doing the dishes, reading a book, or even enjoying a cup of coffee without reaching for your phone. It’s like training for a decluttering marathon. Start small.

Once you’ve practiced resisting the temptation of your phone with short tasks, tackle a bigger decluttering project.

But first, turn off your phone notifications or, even better, put your phone in another room. 

This way, when you start your decluttering project, you’re not just ready; you’re fully equipped to dive in without those pesky distractions pulling you back.

Pro tip: I really liked the audiobook Stolen Focus by Johann Hari, and I highly recommend it if you want to increase your ability to focus. ADHD or not, it’s a must-read!

#8 – Simply decide you’re going to finish when you start decluttering

Sometimes, the most straightforward strategy can also be the most effective: simply decide that you’re going to finish what you start. 

It’s about harnessing the power of your mindset, a force so strong that it can move mountains—or in this case, mountains of clutter. 

This approach is mind over matter in its purest form. 

By setting a firm intention and telling yourself, “I will complete this,” you’re activating an inner resolve that can carry you through the tough parts of decluttering and organizing your home.

Sure, it sounds simple, but don’t be fooled—this strategy can be quite the challenge. 

It’s about more than just a fleeting thought; it’s a commitment, a pact you make with yourself. 

Remember, our minds are incredibly powerful. When we truly, deeply decide to do something, our actions tend to follow suit. 

It’s about aligning your thoughts with your actions, about turning that “I think I can” into “I know I will.”

Of all the eight strategies I just shared, this one is the most difficult, but it also holds the most potential.

It’s about tapping into that inner strength, that tenacity that’s in all of us.

Join The Accountability Club for Help Decluttering

Now if you just can’t get started with decluttering, consider joining The Accountability Club. It’s a space where you get affordable group coaching, share your journey, and stay accountable with your decluttering projects.

If group settings aren’t your thing and you need more hand-holding, you can do one-on-one online coaching with me instead. You’ll get my eyes on your home and a more tailored coaching experience.

I’d love to hear from you!

When you start decluttering, what keeps you from finishing? Do any distractions get in the way? Or does the problem lie with your struggle to stay focused?

Leave a comment below.