Organization: The Nine Step Introduction

I was going to do a post on “Room-by-Room Organization with ADHD” but then it dawned on me while drinking my coffee that it would be WAY too much for one post.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have the attention span to read that much in one sitting. It would also probably overwhelm me to try and keep track of all of that.

That being said, I think I’m going to break that up. This week I will come out with a new post each day for organizing your kitchen.

The kitchen is going to be the most intense room in your house so I think it deserves a series all its own. Later I will post on other rooms as well.

What is the first step in the organization process?

SET GOALS.

Whether it be written goals or visualized goals, (I would recommend written because… ADHD brain) it is important to clearly define your short-term and long-term goals. 

I know this probably sounds funny for organizing but it really is important. Is your goal for everything to look magazine-ready? Functional? Minimalist? 

Do you want to get rid of half your stuff? Have you already gotten rid of it and you just need tips and tricks to organize what’s left?

Everyone has a different idea of what organization looks like, so it is important to decide what YOU want and need to make the most of your time. 

Step two:

SET DEADLINES

Using a planner, app, or calendar, try to come up with deadlines for when you’d like to finish and write them down. Similar to the importance of your goals, having a deadline for reaching those goals is important. 

I try to set my goals pretty loosely. Being pregnant with 3 other kids and homeschooling means not much time (or energy) for things like decluttering and organization. However, you can set your goals as strict or relaxed as you want.

Do you want to do your whole house in a week? One room a week? One room a day? There are many options when setting your goals but remember to set them realistically. If you don’t give yourself enough time to complete your tasks, you risk running into feelings of failure which can be very discouraging and slow the process.

Step 3:

CREATE A LIST

Look around your house. I mean REALLY look. What are the main problem areas you see? What could use just a little work?  

Is your counter stacked 10 feet tall? Do you have a “doom pile” in your room the size of Mt. Everest? Is your desk covered in stuff that is NOT office-related?

Take time to really get a feel for your space and start writing down anything you notice. Once you are done, separate out by room and rank them from highest to lowest. This will help keep you from getting too overwhelmed when you first walk into a room.

You know your problem areas. You know where to start. 

Step 4:

GATHER SUPPLIES

Before you organize, you will need a few things. The real first step to this is going to be decluttering, so I’ll break this into two lists to make it easier.

Decluttering:

1. Sorting Bins

I always have what has been called a “fuck it bucket” when I start in a room. This is where I throw EVERYTHING that doesn’t belong in that room. If you are anything like me, you will go to put something away and then never return. Side quests always get the best of me. This eliminates this issue. 

I also always have a bin for donations and a bin (or bag) for trash. This helps minimize all those things into one spot as you are going. 

2. Cleaning Supplies

I like to have a cleaner and rag with me in the decluttering process too. We will clean as we organize also but sometimes it is easier to just hit those dusty spots while you are standing/sitting there anyway. It’ll make you feel better. 

3. Step Stool or Ladder

If you have high-to-reach places where stuff is stacked like on top of your cabinets, you may want a step stool or ladder to get to it. Go ahead and bring it with you to the room just in case, that way you don’t have to stop and go looking for it. 

4. Notebook and Pen

I like to have a notebook and pen with me so that I can write down any storage solutions that I decide are needed for the organization process. I may realize I need a couple of new shelves in the closet or shoebox totes for toy rotation. 

Writing these things down now will help me later when it comes time to start organizing and putting things where I want them to go. 

5. Timer or Clock

You may want to bring a timer or your phone along so you can set timers for each task. 10 minutes to work on the desk? Ok. 20 minutes in the closet? Great! Setting timers can keep you on track and focused. If you set timers on your phone, you can even put in what the timer is for so you don’t forget!

6. Music!

This one is totally optional and some people may prefer to work in silence. That is okay too!  HOWEVER, playing music you love can help keep you motivated and make it seem like less of a “chore.”

Organizing:

1. Bins (Yes, Again) 

It is a good idea to have the same bins as before just in case you come across more things to toss or donate. I always have the three bins (other rooms, donations, trash) throughout the whole process. 

You may also want other bins at this point for permanent placements. Office supplies, outgrown clothes to keep for younger kids, art supplies, etc.

2. Storage Solutions

Remember the notes we took decluttering? Make sure you purchase or gather the storage solutions you decided are needed. If you have them ready, you can easily just grab them and go. 

3. Label Maker or Labels

If you are like me, you will want everything labeled. It is way easier to remember exactly where something goes if it says it on the storage solution. If you don’t find that necessary, that’s okay! I will always recommend having these though just in case!

4. Everything You Had For Decluttering

Pretty much everything you had for decluttering applies to the organization process also. Cleaning supplies, a step stool or ladder, a notebook for notes, and a timer or clock. All of these will be useful as you go through and organize your spaces. 

5. Phone or Camera

Just like the last one on the previous list, this one is optional. It is nice to take before and after photos of the space you are working on so you can see the progress. I tend to forget this every time and then kick myself later. So maybe do it the first time even if you don’t think you want to. I promise it is so satisfying to remember EXACTLY what you started with and how far you have come.

Step 5:

Pick A Room

Remember the list you made in step 3? Get it back out. 

What room was top priority? If you don’t have a top-priority room, you can start with the easiest. It will be more motivational if you can see quick progress. 

When I’m feeling low motivation, I usually start with the bathroom because it is small and easy. Other than that, I will ALWAYS say the kitchen. Just my personal preference.

Decide what room you want to start in and double-check the problem areas on your list. You can even make a separate checklist if you want. 

Step 6:

Declutter

As I mentioned earlier, the first REAL step is decluttering. If you want to check out my post on mindful minimalism, be my guest. It goes over the importance of being more minimalistic and how to determine what to keep or not keep. 

It is really important to do this step before organizing ANYTHING. You will go around and around in circles trying to organize things and find it doesn’t work out too well because you just have too much.

Trust me. 

Been there. Done that.

Step 7:

Categorize and Sort

It is easiest if you gather all like items into one spot. All kitchen appliances, all home decor items, all toys (in one room,) etc. When you start in that room, gather them in a neutral spot like on your table or counter.

This will allow you to see what you have, clean the surfaces or spots where the items were sitting, and decide if there is anything else you can declutter. 

Step 8:

Organization

Finally! The step you’ve been waiting for but instead had to read my ramblings!

Once you have completed step 6, decide where everything’s “home” is. Where do you want all of your kitchen appliances? In a cabinet? On a shelf? What about all the cooking utensils? In a drawer? Or in a container on the stove?  

Make sure you have ONE place. 

What storage solutions do you need? Remember the list? You may find you need more or different storage solutions than the one you originally thought. That’s okay. It happens. Often. 

Make sure you are thinking about your lifestyle and needs when setting this up. You want to make it as EASY AS POSSIBLE to put things where they belong. If you have to dig into the cabinet behind 3 other appliances to get to the air fryer, that is probably not going to be a good solution. 

For ADHD people, it is often easiest for things to be within line of sight. I’m a big advocate for open shelving for daily or even weekly-use items. I HATE closed spaces. They always become messy and disorganized because I don’t see them constantly and it is easy to get in the habit of just throwing things in. Consider this when looking at your categories. 

Once you have decided on a “home” and your storage solution, put ALL of those items in that place. If you decide later that that spot is not working, don’t sweat it. Just find something better. 

I have gone through this organization process a dozen times trying to improve as I learn. I still move things when I realize they don’t work anymore. It’s all part of this and perfectly normal. 

This is also the point you will want to put labels on things if you choose to do that. I find labels helpful for not only myself but also for my family members so they can keep up with my crazy rearranging and reorganizing. Even if they only stay on temporarily. 

Step 9:

Stay Positive

This process takes time. It is a learn-as-you-go process. You will go through the decluttering, organizing, and cleaning process more than once. Probably more than 2 or 3 times.  

That may feel discouraging to read and to do but don’t be discouraged! It will get better and better EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. 

It also takes less time each time you do it. As you get rid of clutter and organize more things, you will find simple switches are all that’s needed. You will get more comfortable throwing things away too. 

When you really start to see what you have, what you need, and the space you have to store it, it will completely change your outlook on your “stuff.”

I wish you all the best on this journey and can’t wait to hear how it is going for you!