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13 Clutter Hacks for the Easily Overwhelmed

Martha Stewart's organization guides are useless to you. What's more unrealistic? Neurotypical cleaning advice doesn't work for adults with ADHD. For a down-to-earth alternative, use these quick cleaning tips to restore order to your rooms and life.

3 Comments: 13 Clutter Hacks for the Easily Overwhelmed

  1. Question for Russell Barkley Webinar on 01/18/18: Our son was diagnosed with ADD nearly 20 years ago. He made it through high school (went to private schools where there were excellent, caring teachers, and plenty of external structure) but crashed and burned after three semesters at college where much more self-control and delayed gratification is necessary. He has had faithful, steady family support and encouragement, and much professional counseling (the beneficial effects of which never produced any lasting results). He was on methylphenidate in various forms during his school years, and we felt that it helped; however, he didn’t, and after he turned 26 he refused to take it anymore. He is now in a rut; he has very low self esteem, no matter how we try to encourage him, and is afraid to move out of his comfort zone. He still hasn’t figured out “what he wants to do with his life” and seems to be a classic example of “failure to launch”. He is actually AFRAID of success; he says he is afraid that if he does well, he may be asked to more, and he’s afraid he wouldn’t be able to live up to the expectation. (This completely astonished and confounded me when we had this conversation, in the presence of his counselor). He still lives at home (at the age of 29), works a mindless factory/warehouse type job (and he is really quite bright, and capable of much more) and has no motivation to further educate himself or move forward in his life (even though he says he would like to be independent, have a better job, have a real relationship with a girl, etc. (yes – very socially awkward as well). He spends all his free time sitting in front of the computer (video games,mindless entertainment, etc.) and of course any encouragement/admonition from us to do something constructive with his time is seen as nagging and is resisted/resented/rejected. He just can’t seem to get off first base and travel the gap between where he is and where he vaguely wishes he could be. How do we help him get over this negative view he has of himself, and work up the confidence to step outside his comfort zone and realize that he really is capable of accomplishing goals (that he currently perceives as too scary, and thus impossible)? Thank you

      1. 1/17/18

        Hi there…I just wanted to comment on the mother who talked about her 29 year old son. I graduated highschool in 1996 and started college right away bc my parents wanted me to. I had no desire to go but they said they would pay for it. I just wanted to be a “stay at home mom”….but my own mom was divorced and a single teacher, so saying that didn’t go over very well.

        I started college on probation and hated it at a public school where I felt like just a number. I was not working and I had no idea that I had add. The basic subjects bored me and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I spent their money off and on for awhile and then dropped out. The rule was that if I dropped out, then I would have to get out loans if I went back later. But the pressure that I felt was unbearable, so that is exactly what I did.

        After working in child care at a few jobs, I received my child development assoc. credential basically bc it was easy fast hours and I did it with a close friend. It boosted my confidence. I went back to school part time, while working full time and got on the Dean’s List in 2002.

        I then decided to go into management in child care for awhile and loved it. I found an on-line bachelor’s program at a private school out of state and I went to visit and meet the professors. I decided to get on Straterra and I finished my degree in 2009. I really needed that one on one attention from a private school.

        Now, I am a mother of a first grader at a private school. I watch as my son gets easily discouraged with schoolwork and when I think about college for him in the future I will tell him my story.

        I will encourage him to figure out what he’s passionate about before going to college or I will encourage a 2 year program until he figures out his passion.
        I will provide all of the resources that you have provided, as well. I really wish I knew that I had add when I graduated highschool. It would have helped my parents and myself understand why I am the way I am; I wasn’t lazy. I just needed a lot of unconditional love, encouragement, accountability and one on one help.

        ~ M.g.
        Akron, Ohio

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