Hi Poochie:

It seems to me that selling your house and moving into smaller digs to suit your ADHD is a pretty radical move - esp. in this housing market! I wouldn't advocate it until you've exhausted some other, quicker, easier options first... a few ideas:

- Hire an ADD coach specifically trained in organizational strategies to help you can a handle on the piles of paper cluttering your dining room table and your life (http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/3619.html)

- Hire a housecleaner to come once every two or three weeks to handle those housekeeping chores that make your life miserable (cleaning the bathrooms, vacuuming the stairs). It won't save you from doing small tasks each day, but at least you'll get a 'clean start' every few weeks

- Find a small room, closed-off room or corner off a section of a room for your stuff (bills, papers, other things that end up on the dining room table) and designate a time to 'deal with it' each week. That might help keep it contained and less overwhelming.

Here are some other great tips from ADDitude articles:

You've Got Adult ADD… Now What?: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/815.html

Housekeeping Made Easy for Adults with ADD: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/988.html

Keep It Clean: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1723.html

Household Organization Tips for ADD Moms: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/2539.html

33 Best Organization Tips for ADHD Adults at Work and Home: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/729.html

And more: http://www.additudemag.com/topic/adult-add-adhd/organized-home.html

I hope this helps!

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I have pretty contain ed my ADD to one room ; and just beccause I don't have it in the rest of the house doesn't mean it any easier for me to keep. Frankly go pergo for your floors they are god send to keep clean so much easier then linolieum or hard wood. just a quick wipe they don't scratch and they are clean. If you want to scale down try not the house but the enviroment you are in by giving yourself one room that is yours if you can. Small area could bring more clutter ; and it not neccesarily easier because you don't have the same space to put things away. Make sure your family is part of the clean ups and don't depend on you to do it all. If it really messy you may need to hire someone to clear the clutter first ; and then what ever you and family and this clean up person decide should be able to work as long as you all participate. If you can't afford go on HGTV or one of the lifetime series shows and put in an application ; hopefully it will be accepted.

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I have an open floor plan, too. And it's never -- never ever -- clean and clutter-free. I'll get one room decent and the non-participating family members have trashed another room. I've stopped trying. And I considered making a move, too. A condo -- no maintenance... ahhh, right?

Wrong! You have ADHD. You will fill to the brim any amount of space that you have. Less will be less if you move into a smaller space because, not only will you try to bring everything with you, a smaller space will feel cramped much more quickly.

We have a bad habit of idealizing things in our heads but it's a trap that our ADHD plays on us. The key is to remember who you are. Search your soul and honestly identify your strengths and your weaknesses, then make a conscientious effort to stay away from situations that will play up your weaknesses. Watch closely for the impulse reactions -- drastic measures that really don't add up. You've said your open floor plan house is cluttered so I assume clutter-busting is a weakness. How, exactly, will a smaller home help that?

You say you'll scale back, get rid of stuff, learn to live with less. But think about it. You can do that now, can't you? If you're going to idealize, keep it closer to real by working with what you have. You're in a nice house. You'll need the space as the baby grows. Put your imagination to work visualizing your existing house clutter-free. Pick up one item that's not in its proper place every time you walk through the house. Ask yourself, "What's the worst that could happen if I didn't have this any more?" You probably won't be able to think of a defendable answer. Put the item in an opaque container and put it out of your mind. When the container is full drive it immediately to Goodwill or to your church -- DO NOT LOOK INSIDE!

Another idea that has worked very well for me. Many charities have a pickup service. Call one and schedule a pickup that's at least 5 days out. They'll want a general idea of what you're donating. This would be a good time to be impulsive. Donate that chair you've been wanting to slipcover. You're never going to get around to it and you won't miss it once its gone. Donate the birthday present you'll never use but feel too guilty to get rid of. The bike you never rode before you were pregnant and certainly won't ride now! Clothes that you haven't worn since you had the baby. Start with big, chunky items. This is especially effective near the end of the year, when most of us are looking to max out any available tax deductions. Seeing those items as cash in your pocket might help, and the deadline is very, very real!

One last thought, sorry. selling, moving & buying a house represents literally thousands upon thousands of dollars. Think about what you could do with that money! You could absolutely hire somebody to clean weekly, to mow your lawn, to paint your walls. You could hire a 11- or 12-year old from the neighborhood to help you around the house, and she'll grow into a perfect babysitter in a couple years. You could hire a professional organizer to get you started with a system tailored to you. Heck, you could probably throw away every piece of clutter in your house and buy it new if you decide you need it!

Good luck to you. Now, I've got to go and take my own advice... those chairs, that bike, those clothes -- they're in my way!

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I am so happy that there are three reply's - this question has kept me up at nights! What great advice from all three of you. I feel that I can now better approach this issue without making an impulsive decision - not easy for me! I have discussed this issue with so many non ADD people with no benefit, but now you guys have come through with the goods! I am going to start by getting rid of the big items [by the way how did you know about the bike and the chairs that need the slip covers - I am not joking...]

You don't know me - but YOU know ADD Many thanks - P

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