Space dictates how much stuff you can have. How much you have must be less than what your space can reasonably and comfortably hold. Everything you own must have a home where it lives when you’re not using it, and the more visible its home is, the better.
“Out of sight, out of mind” is especially true for people affected by ADHD. So, give yourself a break, and put things neatly where you can see them.
Only keep as many things as your living space realistically allows. If you bring home something new, get rid of something that is already there, whether older or newer. It is all about usage. It doesn’t matter if an item is brand new. If it doesn’t meet your needs, get rid of it because it simply takes up space.
It’s best to accept that the purchase was a mistake and move forward. Clinging to something that you cannot use, or no longer use, not only wastes space and adds to clutter, but it also compounds your mistake by holding on to it when it serves no purpose.
It is more challenging to have a calm mind in a space filled with clutter. You want your home to be a positive refuge – not a place of agitation.
Try not to fill your home until it is brimming with things because, after all, things do not fulfill your life. In fact, they can actually drag you down. Live lighter! Think of your home as always having the possibility of growth, but only for something that is truly special. And, don’t forget to still get rid of something in exchange for that new, special something!
Abigail Wurf, ME.D., PCC, helps professionals, entrepreneurs and small business owners affected by ADHD who are stuck and disorganized in both their work life and personal life move forward into a lifestyle of success.
She does this through one on one coaching, small exclusive group coaching, mastermind groups, self directed programs, webinars/teleseminars, workshops and speaking presentations.
One area of focus for Abigail’s work is executive function issues including planning, goal setting, organizing, prioritizing, time management, task initiation, self inhibition, emotional regulation, meta-cognition, focus, working memory and flexibility/shift. People affected by ADHD struggle with many if not all of these issues.
She is a professionally certified coach by the International Coaches Federation (ICF), has a master’s in education and is a board member of the ADHD Coaches Organization.