ADHD can be a challenging diagnosis, and while we associate it with younger people, some aren’t diagnosed until they’re adults, and it can cause many problems for them. As adults with ADHD, many feel guilty and embarrassed about their condition and the chaotic way that they lead their lives, which can cause additional challenges within a home environment. Tidiness and cleanliness might not be a top priority for someone with ADHD, but that isn’t necessarily through choice. Below are some tips to help you keep a clean home if you have ADHD:
- Don’t blame yourself
Never forget that your brain is wired differently if you have ADHD, and it’s not your fault if you’ve let cleaning and tidying slide over the years because you’ve struggled to cope. Your brain is wired for chaos, and so typically you are unorganized in many areas of your life, but none of that is your fault.
- Don’t let negative beliefs take over
All your life you may have been criticized for not taking pride in cleanliness, without those people (or even you) understanding the real reason behind this. Now that you’ve got your diagnosis, you can challenge any negative mindsets the words or actions of others may have caused you to feel, and even work with a counsellor to help you block out any negative beliefs you may have about your worthiness and ability to keep a clean home.
- Focus on your talents
Everybody has talents and things that they’re particularly good at, and you’re no exception. Just because you aren’t very good at cleaning or keeping a tidy home, there will be plenty of other things that you’re good at, and now is the time to celebrate them.
- Remember that many adults without ADHD are terrible at keeping a clean home
Just because you have ADHD and struggle to clean your home as a result, there are plenty of adults out there who are equally bad, if not worse, and they have no excuse! You may not be good at organizing, but you can certainly work on those skills, and if you have the desire, anything is achievable.
As an adult with ADHD, your natural tendency is to focus on things other than neatness, but you absolutely can do something to make that better, and help is out there. In the meantime, before you seek help from a counsellor or during your sessions, why not have a professional cleaning company in and get your home clean and tidy so that you can have friends round without having to worry what they might be thinking of you and your messy home.
