ADHD Blog Series: Organizing Support That Actually Works - Part 2
Small Wins, Big Impact: How We Helped One Client with ADHD Transform Her Space
A behind-the-scenes look at a real client’s journey and the strategies that made a difference.
Welcome to part two of our three-part series on organizing support for clients with ADHD. In this post, we’re taking you behind the scenes of a real client’s experience. Rena is a creative, accomplished professional who, like so many others with ADHD, felt stuck and overwhelmed in her own home. Her story is a powerful reminder that small changes can lead to big breakthroughs, especially when organizing systems are built with your unique brain in mind.
When you’re living with ADHD, getting organized can feel like trying to put together a puzzle without the picture on the box, and with a few extra pieces thrown in for good measure.
That’s how it felt for Rena, a high-achieving professional and published author, who described her home as the one area of her life where things just didn’t make sense. Despite being successful in many areas, she often found herself overwhelmed, stuck, and battling a deep sense of shame about her space. We're honored she allowed us to share her story.
Before: Where Do I Even Start?
“So many things felt hard. I never knew where to start,” Rena shared.
“I’d buy organizational tools, thinking they'd help, but I’d give up quickly. The clutter had piled up for so long it felt like an insurmountable task. I would just freeze when I looked at the piles or opened my cupboards.”
Like many clients with ADHD, Rena wasn’t struggling with laziness, she was facing a mental traffic jam. Executive function challenges made it nearly impossible to tackle the mountain of “stuff” that seemed to grow overnight. The weight of not knowing where to begin led to avoidance, self-criticism, and a constant sense of defeat.
The Turning Point: Reaching Out for Help
What finally pushed Rena to reach out? Her space was affecting her mental health.
“I have a master’s degree, a successful career, and I’ve published two novels, but my home made me feel like a failure,” she said.
“I stopped inviting friends over. I talked about it so often in therapy that eventually my therapist gave me Anne’s info. I messaged her during the session so I wouldn’t chicken out or forget later.”
That first step is often the hardest, especially when shame has crept in. But Rena took it. And together, we got to work.
What Made the Difference: Systems That Actually Worked
Rena’s journey wasn’t about creating a picture-perfect Pinterest space. It was about creating functionality - systems that supported her brain, not someone else’s ideal.
One of the most impactful strategies? Giving everything a dedicated place and labeling it clearly.
“That was a game-changer. KC Davis talks about sorting in stages: trash, dishes, clothing, things with a place, and things without a place. For me, nothing had a place. I’d look around and think, ‘Where did all of this come from, and where is it supposed to go?’”
We worked together to answer that question, gently, without judgment, and one step at a time. We didn’t try to do everything in one day. We focused on one zone, one category, one small win at a time.
After: A Space That Supports Her Life
Today, Rena’s home feels completely different. Not just on the outside, but in how she experiences it.
“I actually keep things organized now. I used to leave groceries on the counter because if I put them away, I’d forget they existed. Now I put them away immediately because everything has a place.
“I wash my dishes more regularly. I don’t let papers or boxes pile up like I used to. I didn’t realize how much my disorganization made everyday tasks feel impossible, or how much shame I was carrying around. Now, even if it’s just me at home, I want to keep the space clean and peaceful.”
That shift, from surviving to thriving, is the power of tailored, supportive organizing.
For Anyone Struggling: You’re Not Failing
We asked Rena what she’d say to someone with ADHD who feels overwhelmed by the idea of getting help. Her words are beautiful and deeply true:
“Divide the job into small tasks. My mom always says, ‘How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.’
Your brain doesn’t work the same way as a neurotypical person’s. Trying to do things the way we believe we ‘should’ often doesn’t work for us, and that’s okay. Don’t let the shame take over.
Letting Anne into my space that first time was one of the hardest things I’ve done, but it was absolutely worth it. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or a professional, the people who care about you don’t see your space the way you think they do. They just want to help.”
Small wins matter. And when they’re rooted in compassion and customized systems, those small wins can create lasting, life-giving change.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or ashamed of your space, know this: you’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure it out on your own!
Up next: In part three, we’ll wrap up the series with easy, real-life organizing tools designed to help you stay organized without the overwhelm.
