Hello there, Beautiful!👋
I am so happy you’re here. Lemme clear off this pile of music on the sofa and grab you a cuppa. (Even though I’ve been a professional organizer for many years, I STILL have my little clutter hot spots.)
I’ve introduced myself before but I’ll do it again since this is a fresh relaunch for me.
I’m Theresa, AKA, the Zany Sage. The whaty what? Yeah. The Zany Sage? Well, because I’m a little cray cray (that’s the “zany” part) but evidently, people tell me I seem to have some wisdom (that’s the “sage” part) so there’s that.
I’ve been a professional organizer for many years and while I suspected I had ADHD, I was gobsmacked when I was officially diagnosed with pretty severe ADHD in my late mid-fifties. And that’s when I started doing some massive dot connecting.
My obsession over with order and organization began at a very young age. I realize now that my brain was helping me quiet the tumult in my head. Even to this day, when I am overwhelmed with stress, cleaning out the junk drawer is a calming process for me. Yeah, I know. I’m sorta weird. But I warned you about that zany bit. 😉
But enough about me. Let’s talk about YOU!
I see you. You trying so hard! And I am familiar with the frustration of feeling like I’m a fuckup because I can get so overwhelmed that I go into shutdown mode. And then I compare myself to others who seem to hold down stable jobs, fold fitted sheets neatly and have a supernatural ability to do a project through to completion (gasp!).
I also see the clutter you’re constantly fighting. This I know deeply because probably 90% of clients I’ve served have been fellow ADHDers. And so I adopted different strategies when working for those clients.
A neurodivergent brain needs a different approach to decluttering. Starting with ditching expectations of a Pinterest photoshoot. This is about setting up your home in such a way so it works for you, not the other way around.
⛓️💥You’re Not Broken!
The struggles of having ADHD are real. But IMHO, I believe those struggles are more often than not trying to fit our square peg brains into societies’ round holes.
But I also know too well that the executive functioning part of our brain has to work twice as hard as neurotypicals in our western, modern world. We are told to follow the rules. Stand in line, pick up your pencils only when told, and color in the lines.
And oh, the go to school so you can get good grades and get a good job trope. Yeah, that doesn’t work so much anymore for anyone. But it has been especially hard for neurodivergent people.
These are differences, not a sign that you are broken. I also know that the more I learn about ADHD, particularly in women, the more grace and compassion I am learning to have toward myself because the differences are very real.
I’m gonna say again, for those in the back, you are not broken!
🎁What You Can Expect in This Series
You may be feeling some cautious optimism at this point. I get it. The last time you attempted to declutter, after reading Marie Kondo’s book, you ended up in a fugue state, sitting in the middle of the pile ‘o’ stuff you just dredged from the closet.
Nah. This isn’t a one and done process. Nor should it be catastrophic. Think of it as a slow and lazy river boat cruise. We’ll take our time, enjoy the journey, and hang out on the lido deck to swap “Top This!” stories of our most embarrassing clutter piles.
And above all, let’s just have some fun! Clearing clutter can be a fun, cathartic experience. The best part is when you realize how nice it is to walk into a room and not feel overwhelmed by clutter.
💪A Challenge for You
This week, I offer you a widdle, baby-sized challenge. Ladies and gentlemen, I give to you the 5-Minute ADHD Toss and Dash.
The goal? Complete a doable, no pressure micro-task to build momentum.
Pick a small flat surface that has been goading you. It could be that hot spot on the kitchen counter or on the nightstand.
Set your time for 5 minutes aaaaaaaand they’re off! The name of the game is to ONLY remove trash and obviously out-of-place stuff. That’s it!
No organizing, no sorting piles. Nada. When the timer dings, you are finished.
Congratulations! 🎊 How does that feel? (I’d say toss a little confetti but uh, probably not such a good idea.)
📅Next Week
We’re going to talk about The ADHD Clutter Cycle.
I’m going to talk about how executive dysfunction plays a role in this cycle and then discuss proven strategies to throw a wrench into the machinations and help you gain the upper hand.
A small ask of you: I would love to have a more creative, playful name for “The ADHD Clutter Cycle”. The Dopamine Dash? The Hyper Hurricane?
One thing I love the most about ADHDers is their creativity and ability to bring the fun wherever they go. So toss your ideas my way!
And finally. A little 🎶for you. I give you:
Yours in Conquering Clutter,
Theresa