ADHD & why it's so hard for us to stay Organized 😩

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[@sophia_comicart]

Love this technique! That’s definitely gonna work for me. I’m halfway there already. 1. Say it with me, ‘If. You. Pick. It. Up… Put. It. Back.’ I’m not saying I can do this but I’m trying. 😅 2. Having multiples of things like a notepad and stationary in my handbag, on my couch, upstairs and downstairs etc has made a huge difference. 3. Things easily lost like keys and cards etc, I nominate the place where I always drop it by default rather than somewhere that’s ‘tidy’. If I always put my keys on the island in my kitchen when I get home, that’s their official place. (Adorable cosy pen with his buddies personification for the win😊)

[@anjellalo972]

You can keep them in a little dish too

[@depilou]

This really is a great idea and so cute! I love playing pretend even though I'm in my 40s lol... I can see really using this for hobbies!! I tip I'd like to share is having "stations" all around the house, in the areas you spend the most time. For me, every station has a lotion, a lip balm, a fidget toy, Advil, etc. so I'm not carrying a bunch of stuff from place to place.

[@ivakadiyska4539]

Now I know what my next crochet project will be - a foraging basket :)

[@zioah4560]

Organised external environments allow for internal organisation- regulation.

[@JoannaSelvan]

Guys I have perfected laundry technique for line drying clothes. This used to be my biggest organizational challenging chore and I always had piles of laundry everywhere because it is such a task intensive chore. Now I have a bamboo clothing rack on wheels with slotted shelf on the bottom. I hang small items like socks or undies through slots, i drape delicate sweaters on top of them and rest of the clothes gets dried on hangers spread on a rail to assist with air flow. Once is dry I wheel rack to my closet and move hangers directly to closet and put underwear away to drawer. I don’t keep any clothes folded. It is soo much easier than using traditional wire drying rack or line with clips and then folding. Also I have smart plug in socket attached to my washing machine plug and I have it set up to send me a notification once laundry is done so it don’t forget about it until it becomes stinky.

[@anjellalo972]

Can you share the link or if it's not sendable then the title of the item on Amazon?

[@JoannaSelvan]

@@anjellalo972 Those seem kind of generic and a few retailers have something very similar. Amazon name for one I have bought was: unho Rolling Clothes Rack: Bamboo Open Wardrobe Coat and Shoe Rack with 1 Bar and 4 Hooks Ideal for Home, Living Room, Bedroom, Entrance - 78 x 41 x 169 cm

[@zioah4560]

External calm can allow for internal calm.

[@KnittedSister]

Omg, the pen story and triggering empathy as a motivation for putting things back where they belong. 🥰 And the little roleplays of going foraging and being a librarian putting things back home.. ❤

[@divanity888]

This is exactly what the I’ve been doing for years! I’ve been an organizer since I was a child, and could definitely make a career out of it. I love making systems and routines for myself and others ❤ Great video 🥰

[@NicoleM_radiantbaby]

The little foraging baskets kinda remind me of something I've done recently that I call my 'sick box', which came in handy both when I had a recent surgery and afterward when I had the flu. Basically I take a small bin and put anything I might need for my recovery: meds, Rx paperwork/info, body lotion, a book to read, other things that might comfort me (like a small stuffed animal), etc. And then I keep that bin with/near me (wherever I'm laying down or resting) until I'm done recovering and afterward then go around and put everything back in it's home. It's very comforting. 😀

[@BenCG]

This is really good! I think the problem I have is that I live with my mother and bless her, she is controlling and uncompromising. She gets crazy levels of stressed when things are not the way she likes them - and she seems to find me trying to explain my own needs almost tedious or frustrating. It makes me think that in order to be able to design our lives the way we need, we need our own space. We probably need more space than neurotypical people. But then there are lessons to be learned around minimalism and efficiency to counter that, too.

[@lauradoesart]

Don't put it down, put it away is what I say 30 times a day. Especially with physical disability, if I put it on the floor I can't pick it up 😭

[@YaGotdamBoi]

Yoooo wait!! I legit do this, and it feels so validating to hear someone so smart describe it like this! Seriously thank you, like I used to be subconscious about this technique (nitpicky comments from roommates didn’t help lol). Another thing I do with this technique is I have several dedicated homes for the same things in different parts of my home. I live in a two story townhouse, and I have cats, so I can’t just leave a basket of goodies and meds and stuff lying out when I brought it from upstairs, so there is a spot in a kitchen cabinet downstairs where some of that stuff goes during the day while I’m down there. Like having multiple home bases for my things, I know where to find them at different times of the day.

[@thethoughtspot222]

sounds like you got a good system going for ya :)

[@swindel]

Re: the point about maximalism: Augh yes. I love colours and textures and crazy patterns. My home has white walls, white furniture, and my wardrobe is monochrome. I can't spend my life being overstimulated in my living space.

[@Etherealvioletco]

The foraging technique and everything having a home was so helpful!! Thank you for this practical advice 🙏🏻 ❤

[@savedbygrace3383]

I was watching this and while you were explaining about the foraging I said out loud ‘that’s genius!’ And now our 3,5 yo daughter keeps saying ‘that’s genius mama!’ Hahah I was actually starting to look out for baskets at the thrift store because I had a similar idea but you made it much more clear and now I am really excited to make routines in which I can incorporate these foraging baskets, so that I can actually take care for myself and my household better! 🙏🏼💖🌳👒🧺

[@zioah4560]

Hectic visual overstimulation results in hectic overstimulation internally- nervous system…then overload meltdown shutdown breakdown.

[@prettypuff1]

I’ve tried so many things to get arranged and organize. I like this method a lot!

[@iankretschmer559]

In our autistic household we are at the moment able to get out daylie task done and keep vital areas like kitchen bath etc in a somewhat decent shape. But rooms that are not used daily or by all or open to visitors like my office, just so slowly degenerate into a mess. But we are all only diagnosed for a little over a year now, we are still trying to cope with it and do all a little bit different to accommodate our needs a little bit more.

[@JonBrase]

0:41 "are our" sounds best if you just plow through, say "arar" really fast, and don't look back. Seals can't say "aR! aR! aR!" that quickly.

[@ngwana.chisanga]

I love that I get what that thought process was 😄

[@jmaessen3531]

This is wonderful, thank you so much for sharing! I have a variety of homes that I'm trying to get situated in my apartment and this will be so helpful. I'm excited to ask myself why before finalizing the new plan. And the foraging and librarian images are so GOOD! I have thought about possibly having totes or baskets for floating around and getting things back in their homes. This seals the deal. Gonna get some foraging baskets! YAY! 🎉

[@BrentWigginsWords]

Minimalism is attractive to me because it gives you what you need and leaves room for the personal, meaningful things. Decluttering is the blessing and curse that comes with minimalism, a process that I liken to shoveling snow. Yes, it's winter, it will continue to snow, but it's also only for a season. Pacing yourself, establishing your own goals and rules of organization, is the key. I think of it as "If I do this now, what am I promising myself in the future?" I'm setting myself up for success now while at the same time making future success easier to achieve. Making the process your own will be habit-forming. Side note, this video reminded me of the Xzibit meme: Yo dawg! We heard you like foraging, so we put some foraging in your foraging, so you can forage while you forage!

[@viviakay]

Ooh, your personification of the pen being with his friends hit me right in the feels. This might actually work. :) My little things want to go home when I'm finished with them.

[@ShamsShams-g3l]

This is a great technique. I use the "every thing needs a home" technique for a while and still I'm learning something new about making life easier. I found also a technique for my clothes problem. Every family member has a basket. Dirty clothes are washed per basket - every load one family member. So, I only have to hang few things and when dried, I can easily put just one pile away instead of sorting a lot of clothes because everything was mixed up.

[@Lia46728]

Great video! I have figured out the "home" technique pretty well for me by now both by myself and through other ADHD content creators. It is nice to see other neurodivergent people use it, too! I'm not so good on the foraging part though. When I forage, I always carry everything in my hands, where I easily drop it or forget a needed item that I can't just retrieve in the moment, because my hands are full and then I reach the bed, drop the items and won't pick up the rest anymore that I couldn't manage to hold in the first go. This video is my reminder to get foraging baskets, they will definetley be very helpful. Also, I love the way you explain concepts and your descriptive metaphors and stories you use to drive the point home. The little tale about the green marker guy was so cute it made me cry a bit.😂😢

[@WedMZ]

I have found that making kits for myself helped a lot even with my kids.. I make a bag with every item i need to do a task and put that bag in a home For example i have a wash bag filled with everything we need to get ready in the morning for school and another one with everything we need to go out to eat in a restaurant.. my gym bag is always filled with the things i use at the gym and like so.. If i need something for more than one kit i just buy double or divide a large container of sanitizer for example into small toiletry containers.. It helped me maintain a system where i flow throughout my day easily grabbing a kit next to another and putting them back where it makes sense instead of struggling to do things just because i can't find something or i don't feel like getting it even though i know where it is .. I also have "stations" for a group of things that go together in places where it makes sense for them to be or are easily wheeled somewhere i need them like my daughter's homework station that i wheel next to the dining table when we need to do homework and then tuck in her playroom if people come to visit so the space doesn't look cluttered.. I also have a purse station next to the door where i keep my purses and diaper bag for going out with organizers to hold the essentials to move from bag to bag easily.. In my kitchen i don't keep a pantry with all our food, instead i have a breakfast station, a dinner station, and a baking station. The stations could be as small or as big as you want them .. I hope this helps someone

[@ngwana.chisanga]

I love how practical the things you share are…it really makes it easier to relate to my own experiences and it’s very validating. Today I’ve realized that I essentially do the same thing, I just don’t have a foraging basket but I have a little ‘foraged items’ area where I keep my regularly used items, it started out as a temporary spot but now when I accumulate less frequently used items I place them back in their homes/piles and just remain with the daily items or items I anticipate needing to reach one day in a swift exit haha….and I’ve been thinking lately of how to manage the disorganized pile system when I’m in a new space I’m moving into. So this really helps so much. Thank you.🙏🏾

[@herecomeskelsey28]

I find so much comfort in your channel. I see so much of myself here 💞

[@Aprilgolightly]

This is such a great idea! I have a lot of self care stuff in a couch pocket and in my car. I have extras of things like nail files, lotion, flossers and makeup so I can maintain hygiene in a relaxed spot. I literally hate doing anything in my bathroom. It’s probably a sensory thing. I even moved my hair dryer brush to next to my couch so I can be comfy while I do it.

[@anthonyjones8058]

You make really great content ❤. I have autism to. Nice to meet you. God bless you and stay safe

[@aqua_noodle]

I love foraging now. That is such an awesome concept, I love putting a fun mental image towards a task. I remember when you talked about cooking with whimsical music. Such a good tip.

[@kalpic11]

I guess I’m an outlier bc I’m really good at organizing despite being adhd and autistic. growing up I wasn’t. It was probably a skill I developed.

[@DevilDears]

This is great! I’ll try the foraging method for making meals! ❤

[@CitizeM]

Reading the comments, it seems like many of us have a similar system. Like many others I'm only missing the basket as I already use the foraging system. I've just been awkwardly carrying my piles around with my hands using my chin to stabilize. Thanks for the pro tips!

[@diversatree]

Excellent ideas! I've been looking for something for years, but sadly nothing worked. This can work! It's simple, uncluttered and controllable! Thank you so MUCH!

[@sarahburgess7306]

I would love to see a video on your experiences with brain fog specifically! Struggling with that majorly right now.

[@consuelonavarrohidalgo5334]

All you explained is very relatable.

[@clivematthews95]

I have a lot of videos to catch up on. You’re always helpful Irene

[@quaintlyso]

I love this idea! Thank you for the detailed examples with the explanation

[@AliceMonroe-u7z]

How do you go about finding homes for things? I get so worked up trying to find the right place for everything that it causes me to shutdown and I can’t do anything

[@helyns1416]

I like to put things within arms reach of where I use or handle them. And if you use something in multiple places, have multiples of the item. Like, store clean bedsheets in your bedroom, not in the linen closet. Have one set of cleaning supplies that you keep in the bathroom and another you keep in the kitchen. If you always forget to wear deodorant, keep a deodorant near your clothes, in the bathroom, near where you eat breakfast, in the car, in your purse, etc. Hooks and baskets can help you keep items closer to their point of use. It's not a perfect system but I've found it to be a good place to start.

[@mariajespersen5061]

​@helyns1416 I was just typing out an answer exactly like this. It has helped me so much to just make a home for things where I need them and allowing myself to own multiple even when the frugal part of me thinks it's a waste of money

[@AliceMonroe-u7z]

@@helyns1416 I try to do this, but I find it hard to figure out which containers to use, as it happens I often find a container to put something in, say arts and crafts stuff, but then my brain keeps trying to figure out better places or containers, so all I end up doing is transferring my things from one container to another 😂 I know it sounds silly, but my brain is constantly thinking about the “perfect spot, perfect container” I struggle to visualise things in my mind so it’s a bit of a game of Tetris, but because I struggle with being chronically ill and fatigue on top of it, it becomes super hard for me. I know a lot of it is down to perfectionism, but sometimes just doing the thing feels impossible, especially if im already burnt out, which I have been.

[@helyns1416]

@@AliceMonroe-u7z I totally get that. I also have chronic fatigue and definitely can't always keep up with stuff like this. I've managed to work through a lot of perfectionism over the years through therapy and just intentionally practicing doing things imperfectly. Have you heard of the website Struggle Care? It has a lot of good ideas for neurodivergent and disabled ppl. I also just like to remind myself that the only real requirement is health and safety. So if the only thing I can do is throw out some trash periodically and clear a path in the chaos, that's enough.

[@AliceMonroe-u7z]

@ it’s hard, isn’t it? And it’s so annoying when you struggle with being patient, which I definitely do - I want everything to be done yesterday! But then I get so overwhelmed and then depressed. Oh lord 😂 I haven’t heard of this before but I shall check it out, thanks 💌

[@vornamenachname-kp8jh]

Thank you for you :-) & for your great fun work! :-) :-)

[@desireerose7862]

I love your content. I have learned and felt so much validation from you. Thank you for doing what you do! Can I ask why you stopped uploading to Spotify?

[@thethoughtspot222]

Thank you! oh my, it's because the platform I used to upload my podcast episodes changed when it got bought out by another company and I ended up not keeping up with it. I didn't think anyone would miss my podcast on spotify so....yeah. BUT, because of this comment I'll be sure to go and upload all the episodes onto Spotify and make it a habit of keeping up with it again.

[@desireerose7862]

I hope it doesn’t add too much work for you but I will definitely listen on Spotify if you start uploading there again! 💗

[@Silvixia]

0:21 whats that clip from? If it’s from hoarders it’s probably really sad, but that lady laughing had me cackle 😂 so funny

[@MizzCatlady]

Bahahah thank you so much for giving me a mental talking point to help me remember to put things away that might actually stick ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@rii20]

Wow! It’s so nice! I’ll try it for sure!

[@tjskeyblade]

Yes I do

[@celinahuezo5518]

i must be organized if not i get anxiety lol. i learned my lesson.

[@sushibaby5896]

I've NEVER been this early for a video. FRESH PIE!

[@sharonwillems1427]

Thank you!!!!!!!

[@lydiavarcoe-wolfson6645]

Very helpful thank you!!

[@StudentoSan]

Love the technique. Why don t you keep all these items.near your couch as that is the only place you use them? Because its hard to remember where they are ? Sorry i didnt quite understand this part.

[@caramimi]

Keeping these items nearby all the time is one method, yes, but I believe her method works for someone who needs to categorize their items by place or use, e.g. kitchen items, bathroom items, living room, etc... If one feels the need to have bathroom items stay contained in that area, then this foraging method works. I'm one of those people that cannot have things all over the place, and need to put them back in their place so I feel in control.

[@Nikki-ks6wi]

Not only are our ->>>>> additionally

[@TheMourningProject]

Time management

[@acemarvel1564]

Being Expected to organize my room Feels more and more like having a Whiny Spoiled brat on my shoulder yammering in my ear about Crap i don't care about

[@laura.bseyoga]

💚

[@kaltespopcorn4087]

I tried to organise the apps on my phone and now I can’t find anything. It has been weeks and I still don’t know where things are. Maybe I’ll screw these little folders on put everything right onto the main screen again…

[@am-bz4sr]

❤❤❤

[@indiopeltier9758]

the addys help sometimes lol

[@Alex-ki1yr]

❤❤

[@blakeharvard5841]

Praise King Christ Jesus!! Praise Yahwah God!! I'm Autistic and glad.

[@Noodle787]

Whoaaaaa so early

[@soleilcruz9995]

Or our 🛶 = 🦭 🦭 🦭