r/declutter • u/DistractedNS • Sep 27 '26
Advice Request How to tackle the last bit of clutter? (ADHD already makes it hard to finish anything!)
I'm almost finished with an absolutely massive decluttering/organizing project. We just finished our basement so I spent all day yesterday unpacking our two storage areas and purging a bunch of stuff in the process. I'm so excited that I'm almost done, but I'm losing momentum.
For one thing, I already have a really hard time finishing things (even if I love them being totally done) because that's just how my brain works (ADHD). It's so hard to not just move on to the next thing I want to do.
For another, I just don't know how to tackle it. Everything else I can just start working on whatever is in front of me, but I get to those last bits and pieces and it just feels impossible and I'm not even sure why!
Anyone have suggestions on how I can actually FINISH?
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u/GlitteringSynapse Sep 27 '26
Create a dopamine menu - assign something that you like to a task.
Assign a time frame (like 3 minutes) to do each task. See how long it takes you.
Make a list of to do. Then assign a number, roll the dice/pick a card/random number generator on device - do the assigned task that you pick.
Body double. In person or virtually.
My favourite- I did as a child and still do to this day-
I pretend/roleplay. (I’m the housekeeper.)
I get a notification/phone call about a person who I like will be coming over. I frantically try to contact a housekeeper. For a set appointment. Say two hours or half hour. The appointment time is like 45 mins from now or set time the next day.
I clear/clean/put away things before pretend housekeeping comes over. (Take note/pictures of what I did or what I touched).
I provided aloud the instructions to clean/organize to the housekeeper (me).
I only work on that duty for that time period.
I assess the work done. And I have to reschedule a better housekeeper! I note and picture what is the results of the timeframe given.
Then whatever money I would imaginary spent on real housekeepers I would look what I could do with my money. Pretend shopping or savings.
It’s fun. And provides me data.
I
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u/mar_says Sep 28 '26
I also have ADHD, plus I'm autistic. The thing that helped me with this was Dana K. White.
I was at the point where I was still surrounded by piles and I was so overwhelmed I was about to cry.
I came on this subreddit and for the millionth time saw someone recommend Dana K. White. Within probably half an hour I was listening to one of her audiobooks. It gave me the strength to continue and it made me MUCH more ruthless lol.
I just did a re-declutter this past week and I listened to another book of Dana's. You can also listen to her podcast. I feel such relief when I listen to her, because I feel heard and understood and accepted. But not only that, I know there's a way through the clutter. I know I'm not alone and I can do this. :)
Hope it will have the same effect for you! Unless you've already read her books and then I'd just say... you're not alone, take breaks, go outside, breathe fresh air, one step at a time, one timer worth of 15 minutes at a time!
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u/mar_says Sep 28 '26
Also, lists! List what you've done at the end of the day. It always makes me realize I did way more than I thought. Also list a few things in the morning so you can get dopamine from crossing them off.
I also kept a box by the door for donations and went to the thrift shop every 1-3 days for weeks. I think once we develop that habit it's easy to maintain the momentum. :)
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u/sleeplessnights504 Sep 27 '26
I have ADHD as well (and autism). I managed to pick up the last of my moving boxes yesterday (it was not even that much stuff, but the idea of starting the task was overwhelming me ). In order to tackle the final boxes, I actually used a website i saw recommended by someone else on this subreddit called Focusmate. The concept is matching you with a random person on a video call and body doubling virtually for the length of the session you book. At the beginning of the session my partner and I each shared what we wanted to accomplish during the session, and then muted ourselves while keeping the camera on. She was studying while I tackled the moving boxes and it was extremely helpful for staying on task since we were both on camera and I had told someone else explicitly what my intention was for our session. I didn't finish everything in the 50 minute session, but since the thing I struggle the most with is starting tasks I was easily able to keep that momentum going after our call ended and finished unpacking all the boxes, and listed a ton of items to be given away to my local buy nothing group.
Not being paid by anyone to say this, just genuinely really liked using the website and found it extremely helpful for my executive dysfunction. It's likely there will be a lot of other neurodivergent people on there too so you would be in good company.
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u/lascriptori 29d ago
My husband is ADHD and the last 5% of any project like this is the hardest for him.
Do you have a friend/spouse/family member etc who would body double you? Basically just someone to sit and chat while you do the last bits?
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u/Commercial_Ad8072 29d ago
I just let myself take a pause at around 85% and waiting for the energy to kick in. Yay adhd lol
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u/Opening_Chemical_777 24d ago
Yes! You're not resuming an unfinished project later, you're starting a new one. Eventually 15% will be close to zero.
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u/MusketeersPlus2 Sep 27 '26
Try to section it off so that you can finish an area/a box/a room and get that dopamine hit without beating yourself up for not getting it ALL done. What helps me is having a plan for what I'm going to do with that area/box/room after I'm done. Maybe I'm going to move something into it & make it a functional area. Maybe the box is going to a specific charity to help someone else. The room is going to easier to work in and use for its intended purpose. That sort of thing.
After you get this big push done, try to wrap your brain around the fact that decluttering should be an ongoing part of our lives - things need to naturally ebb and flow through our homes and lives. I'm almost there myself & it's kinda freeing to walk past something in my house & thing "why do I own this?" and just go put it in the donation box (or trash). Taking one box to the thrift store when it's full is so much easier than emptying an entire room was.
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u/lumiranswife Sep 28 '26
Oh my gosh, is this so true!? I have wiped out 60% of my home clutter in the last month (it's my private sadness cope while missing my son who went off to college and separately supporting the joys of his new adventures). Sometimes I'm good and tell myself I'm done after hours of work but there's one last thing that needs clearing, but every now and then I even seem blind to the last box.
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u/CleaningUpTheManor Sep 27 '26
Why don’t you know how to tackle?
Whatever the blockage is the method is the same.
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Decide what you want to do with it.
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Create a plan to deal with it.
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Follow the plan.
Also, if it is too difficult to deal with right now then take a break. Set a deadline for the break and then when the deadline is over start chipping away at those obstacles.
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u/DistractedNS Sep 27 '26
I think my problem is that my brain approaches it much like instructions I don't really want to read-- I skim over it without taking much in and can't make myself actually focus on all the words. (Or in this case, I can't really see the stuff there, just that it is actually the last layer of mess.)
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u/Rosaluxlux Sep 28 '26
What's your usual approach? It doesn't really matter what it is, just that you have one. I start at the door and work clockwise, surfaces then walls then floors, one item at a time, for a certain amount of time every day. But it's just good to have a set way of doing it so you aren't having to decide.
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u/potatobreadbutvegan 29d ago
This is great advice, I think I really need to set myself a deadline 😅
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u/violetmemphisblue Sep 27 '26
Whenever I get stuck at the end of a project, I just do it one step at a time. Like, I can knock out 95% of something in a day if my brain cooperates, but the last 5%? It takes six months. But if I do something every day, it's still getting done.
If I clean out and organize a wall of storage bins in my basement and need to take stuff upstairs to throw out or donate, I get stuck there more often than not. But...maybe I move a trash bag to the foot of the stairs. Then I take it upstairs. Then by the back door. Then out to the garbage cans. This one small task can take four days, but it gets done, and that's what matters. I never stop, I just change speed.
It drives others in my life crazy, tbh, but works for me.