6 ADD Tips for Organizing Everyday Things
Life with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) can be a constant
hassle. Little things like lost car keys, tools that stick or
don't cut well, papers that go missing all add to the general
level of tension. These tips will help you come to grips with
the nitty-gritty of everyday things.
1. Things have a place close to where they are used. Putting
things close to where they are used means that you do not have
to move away from your work space to find them. Put them away
when you have finished using them. Car keys are a good example
of things that go missing; have a place, a basket or a hook,
near the door where you come in and go out. Train yourself to
put them there every time you come in.
I have two pairs of scissors in the kitchen. One is short and
works well to open packages of food; it lives in a drawer by the
stove where I cook. The second pair, longer, lives on the
kitchen table where I read the newspaper and often cut out
articles. I used to have only the long pair for everything, but
it was never where I wanted it. Now which ever pair I need is
right at my finger tips.
2. The place for a thing should be logical to you. Give some
thought to when and where you use an object and store it near
by. Don't worry about what other people might think. You are the
one who is using it. If someone else also uses the object you
may have to negotiate or better yet buy two.
I keep paper clips over the bread board. Why? I use paper clips
to close up bags of cereal and nuts which live in the same
cupboard; I rarely use them for attaching papers together, and
when I do, I know where they are.
3. Have tools which are efficient to use and feel good.
A letter open that is long enough to open an envelope with one
or two strokes. A paper punch which will take a wadge of papers
in one go. Scissors which are sharp and feel good in your hand.
Good tools make a job easier and quicker to do and provide
kinesthetic pleasure.
I had two letter openers. One, short, stubby, and now gone, was
difficult to insert into the envelope, took two or three hacks
to get the envelope open and the handle was too short to grasp
comfortably. The other has a longer blade which slips easily
into the open space in the envelope and the handle fits
comfortably into the palm of my hand. Opening the mail is
quickly done. 4. Use containers that are adequate and pleasing
to you.
Containers should be large enough to hold whatever they are
designated for and should hold only one category of thing. A
colored envelope on a convenient shelf for bills to be paid this
month, an attractive basket by the front door for your keys. I
needed something to hold pencils, scissors etc on my desk. I
looked in several stores; they all had versions of a stack of
chimneys. I reasoned that they weren't adequate and kept
looking. I found an organizer in the shape of a dog in my
favorite color; I didn't even stop to think if it was
"adequate". He does his job admirably, and I use him because
he's cute.
5. Put things away when you are finished using them.
When things live close to your work space it is easy to put them
away immediately. Putting them away becomes part of the task in
which they were used instead of a separate activity called
"putting away". As people with ADD have difficulty coping with
multiple tasks, eliminating even one makes every day living a
little bit easier.
6. Now to organize everyday tasks - create a routine : the 5
minute SWOOP.
Routines? Sound boring? Yes routines help you get the boring
things done without thinking about how boring they are. The
5-minute swoop is designed to do the basic everyday tasks in
each room. Make one list for each room of the things that need
to be tidied up everyday. Spend no more than 5 minutes in each
room; set a timer if necessary. You will know how much time you
are going to spend before starting therefore you can get out the
door in time to get the kids to school or to your meeting. Be
strict about the 5 minutes so that you don't get captured by the
ADD impulse to organize an entire cupboard.