August 25, 2025 • 26 mins
Buying Bins Won’t Solve ADHD Clutter: Here’s What Will
If you have lots of stuffed animals, Megs always recommends this stuffed animal bean bag ---> Bean Bag Storage <--- Organizing an ADHD Brain Podcast is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
In this episode, Megs delves into the pitfalls of impulsively buying organizing containers without a clear plan, particularly for those with ADHD. She shares personal anecdotes and professional insights about the challenges and common mistakes associated with premature container purchases, emphasizing the importance of decluttering first. Megs outlines the need to ask critical questions before making purchases and highlights the significance of setting rules and creating systems that cater to individual needs. She encourages her audience to declutter, assess their actual needs, and make intentional shopping choices. The episode is rounded off with an invitation to join her community and take advantage of available resources.
00:57 The Container Conundrum
01:44 Personal Stories and Experiences
03:32 Common Pitfalls of Container Buying
12:03 Effective Decluttering Strategies
18:28 Shopping Tips and Rules
22:52 Conclusion and Community Invitation
Join the Organizing an ADHD Brain COMMUNITY on Circle > JOIN NOW
Is Coaching a good fit for you? Book a call with Megs to find out> Book a Call
Learn more about the Community HERE> OrganizinganADHDBrain.com
Looking for ADHD-friendly support with decluttering, organizing, or just making life feel a little less chaotic? The new Ways To Connect page is your go-to hub for real-life tools, gentle guidance, and ways to connect—free and paid, no pressure.
The TO DO list Daily Planner is available here! TO DO List Daily Planner
The ULTIMATE Recycling & Disposal Guide: Disposal Guide
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hey, beautiful people.
(00:01):
It's Megs and welcome back toorganizing an A DHD Brain as I
get ready to launch season threethis September, I wanted to
revisit a few episodes thatstill hold so much truth,
whether it's your first timehearing them or they're coming
back to meet you in a new way.
They're worth another.
Listen, this next season is allabout the messy middle, where
(00:23):
your brain still wants to do itall or nothing at all, and
you're learning how to take onesmall step.
Anyway, I've been in it too,letting go rebuilding, figuring
out exactly what works for mybrain, and you don't have to do
it like I did, but you can do itwith awkward steps, with
emotion, and with way more gracethan you're probably giving
(00:43):
yourself.
So let this episode be areminder.
You don't have to be fullyunburied to move forward.
You're allowed to want more joyand you're absolutely capable of
creating change right where youare.
Let's jump in.
Yeti Stereo Microphone (00:56):
I am actually surprised that I
haven't done an episode on thisyet because I feel pretty
strongly about container buying.
And I also feel strongly abouthow fun it is to buy containers
for organizing, which is such aconundrum.
here's why I'm doing thisepisode, because I want you to
understand how buying containerscan sometimes be a trap,
(01:19):
especially for those of us withADHD.
We know how to shop.
We know how to get it done.
It feels good to shop and itfeels like we're getting
something done or we're startinga project when we do purchase
items.
And they just get delivered toour door so that we can take the
next steps in the rightdirection.
But being in so many people'shomes, including my own, I can
(01:41):
tell you some of the things thatI see time and time again.
I'd like to rewind things just alittle bit back to when I used
to work at the cheesecakefactory back on the north shore
in Boston.
I would often get to the mall alittle bit early so that I could
paruse some of the stores I'llnever forget when the container
store was first built.
(02:03):
And the feeling I felt when Iwalked into that store.
Thinking about how manysolutions, all of those
containers.
Could provide.
For all of my stuff, for all ofthe things that I didn't know
what to do with here was thesolution for everything.
(02:24):
And then I looked at the pricetag and I was like, whoa, one
day I'll be able to purchaseitems from this store today.
I'm going to choose to spend mymoney in other places.
Now of course I was working atthe cheesecake factory.
I was also getting my degreedown in Boston and traveling in
and out full time.
(02:44):
I did not have the extra moneyto spend on containers, but I
felt like it was almost a Riteof passage when I could.
Finally make that happen in mylife.
And I can't tell you how manytimes I've bought something,
thinking that it's going to bethe perfect solution.
To all of the clutter that istaking up my life and making me
(03:05):
feel so overwhelmed and what I'mdoing on a regular basis.
So if you're feeling that waytoo, and if you have stuff
that's sitting in packages,still waiting to be unwrapped so
that you can intricately put allof your things in this organized
way.
With the promise of everythingbeing better on the other end of
it.
I just want you to know thatyou're not alone.
(03:27):
I've been there.
You've probably been therebefore, too, and done it before.
When it comes to other people'shomes that I've worked in now,
I've worked in people's homesfor a couple hours.
I've worked in people's homesfor a couple months, just
depending on their budget andthe amount of time that they,
you know, I can certainlysupport them.
(03:48):
I don't do as much in personorganizing anymore because of
coaching.
But here's what I can tell youis most of the time, Those
containers are bought.
Prematurely.
In a manner that is hopeful toget things under control within
a short amount of time.
(04:09):
And we love to see the bigpicture and think that we can
tackle everything in a weekend.
But what happens?
As we don't give our containersjobs, we simply just put the
stuff in it.
And now our clutter is just alittle bit more organized.
Like it just.
It's sitting in a container nowinstead of actually being
(04:31):
organized.
Oftentimes the containers thatwe buy.
will become really pretty DOOMboxes.
And do means didn't organizeonly moved.
So they look really nice, butwe've got them scattered all
over the place or maybe they arein one spot, but they don't
actually have a job.
(04:53):
I'm sure some of you have anarea like a mud area where you
have all the shoes and you'vegot all this stuff.
And maybe you bought thosecubbies.
Cause you're like, this is goingto get everything out of the way
and sure.
It gets everything out of theway.
But when you open it up, youhave no idea what's inside of
them because it's a mishmash ofstuff.
I want to give you a littleinsight into why buying
(05:14):
containers first can backfireand how this episode can help
you avoid the trap.
And to maybe ask a few questionsbefore you buy a container so
that that you're making theright decision for yourself and
not just trying to put aband-aid.
On the issue that is the clutterin your home.
(05:34):
It's so easy to make thoseimpulse buying solutions.
When we feel like we finallyfound the perfect solution.
But without a plan.
We often fail.
let's analyze this marketingaspect.
Think about all of the socialmedia platforms that you follow
when it comes to organizing.
(05:55):
Most of them have to do with, ohmy gosh, you have to try this
organizing hack.
It's so cool.
Or check out what I bought toorganize this.
This is what I did, and this iswhat you can do to.
Or.
Look at this incredible deal Igot here.
You've got to go and get this.
Now, there is nothing wrong withthat because it can find that
(06:16):
it's very inspiring to sometimessee all of this.
But a lot of the times, we'rejust seeing this social media.
Invitation to go and purchasesomething that whomever is
posting.
But what's hard for us with ADHDis that we see that as an
immediate solution to everythingthat's gone wrong in our lives.
(06:37):
And that's not the case.
I remember I was organizing forsomeone.
this was probably in the fall of2023.
And we had both seen this reallycool hack for storing lids for
your pots and pants.
And I was like, oh my gosh,those look so amazing.
I was like, cool.
I'll get them.
I'll try them out.
(06:57):
And then we'll see if it's agood fit for you.
So I bought some and I boughtsome like prettier ones cause I
wanted them to be clear and Iwanted them to look really nice.
And I, first of all, measuringthem to get the right size for
the pot lid That was annoying,but whatever annoyance is fine,
as long as you get it to workright.
And then I got it to work.
And as I would close and openthe door, the pot lid would
(07:21):
clang back and forth.
And I was like, oh my gosh, thisis so not what social media
promised me.
But it taught me a valuablelesson in that if I see
something cool online, I'm goingto need to do a little bit more
research to truly understand ifthis is going to be a solution
or not, because especially ifyou live in a smaller space.
(07:41):
You do have to find.
Weird and unique ways to storeyour things, your items, so that
it can work for you.
So I'm not saying don't go andbuy things.
I'm saying don't go and buythings first without asking
yourself Some really clearquestions.
But then to that point, there'sso many companies out there that
literally just make storagecontainers.
(08:03):
That's what they do.
They make them for kitchens.
They make them for pantries.
They make them for drawers.
They make them for garages.
They make them for this, that,and the other thing.
I go to the container store allthe time.
So there are so many companiesout there telling you.
That this is your solution.
This is what you need to buy.
And then everything will beokay.
(08:25):
I want to paint you anotherpicture Have you ever bought an
app saying that, oh my gosh,this is your key to getting all
your chores done, or this isyour key to schedule management.
And this is your key to finallygetting it all right.
And figuring out your ADHDbrain.
And this is the tool that'sgoing to make it all work.
And then you get it and you'reso excited and you've used it
(08:45):
for a couple of days and thenyou stop using it and you're
like, oh, I'll get back to it atone point.
And then you still don't getback to it.
And now you've spent maybe acouple of months of subscription
money on this app or on thistool that's going to help you.
And in the end, it hasn't helpedyou at all.
Part of that.
(09:06):
Is because while these appdesigners have these incredible
ideas and they figured out whatworks for their brain, Without
you figuring out the system thatworks for you.
And the solution to what youactually need in your space
first.
Nothing that you purchase isgoing to be a solution for you
(09:27):
as much as you want it to be.
And it took me a lot ofpurchases to finally figure this
out.
But nothing that you buy isgoing to be the perfect
solution.
Until.
You truly figure out what youneed.
When I am in people's homes thatI've worked in for, like I said,
a couple hours, or even formonths at a time.
(09:51):
After we have gone through theprocess of decluttering.
And getting things in a spacethat works For the people that
live and operate in this home.
We have a pile of organizingitems.
That could be used in anotherspace.
Yes.
But a pile of organizing itemsthat are just no longer needed
(10:12):
in that space.
It's just stuff.
like we have a resource oforganizing products that we can
go to choose from.
And I will tell you nine timesout of 10.
We don't need a darn thingbecause we've gotten rid of so
much.
You don't have to contain asmuch anymore.
(10:33):
It's fascinating.
And then you realize what couldreally elevate the space.
Like on one hand, you go to adrawer or a.
a cabinet, you open it up andyou're like, oh my gosh.
If I just had all of thesecontainers.
That could fit in hereperfectly.
I could put all of thesedifferent things and in all of
these different spaces and itwould all work for me.
(10:55):
Except that once we've actuallygotten rid of the things that
don't serve a purpose in yourlife anymore.
You realize that, oh wow.
Instead of the 10 containers Ithought I would need to purchase
for this space.
I really only need two.
And actually I could use adrawer here instead, because
that is what I need for theseitems.
(11:17):
are you guys like picking up upwhen I'm putting down?
go out and buy the containers ifthat's what makes you feel
happy.
Awesome.
But we've got to have some rulesaround it because if you go up
by and containers for one area,But then you get excited about
another area.
Now you're buying containers.
For that area.
Now you've got all of theseunfinished projects all over
(11:37):
your house that feeloverwhelming now, because now
you've got all this stuff youneed to unpack.
And what if it doesn't work nowyou're outside of the return
window and there are so manyother things to consider.
As you are getting your home ina space to be organized.
Okay, Megs.
if I can't buy containers, thenwhat do I do to get to the point
where I can buy containers and Ican't get excited about it.
(12:00):
Haha.
here's what you do.
The first thing you're going todo is declutter.
You're going to go through thestuff that you have and let go
of the items That no longerserve a purpose in your home.
Now, this is another episode,right?
Because letting go can be sodifficult for us and we can find
a reason to keep literallyeverything.
(12:23):
in our homes.
So this is like a next stepafter that.
But once you have found a wayand peace within yourself to let
go.
And a method for getting stuffout of your home.
You can continue to declutterthroughout your home to figure
out where things are actuallygoing to live.
And side note for a second.
(12:44):
A lot of the times we have somuch stuff in different places
that we don't even know where itdoes live.
So buying the containers is amoot point.
Cause what if you buy it forthis area, but they are actually
supposed to live in this area.
And now that container doesn'twork for this other area.
So now it's just sitting therewaiting to be used.
And hoping that has a purpose inthe future for something else.
(13:05):
likely we can always find apurpose for it.
But we still want to avoidbuying it because what if we buy
too many because we do, we justdo.
So letting go is one of thefirst things, and that's why I
encourage you find a time duringthe day that could work for you.
When is the time that your brainallows you to be the most
(13:26):
productive?
Is it right after your kidsleave for school?
Is it right when you wake up inthe morning?
Is it right before you to go tobed at night, you get to decide
what that looks like for you.
And declutter a space so thatyou can start making progress in
a way that makes sense for you.
But decluttering always has tohappen first.
it's all about empowering peopleto let go of the stuff they have
(13:49):
so that they can make room forthe life.
They really want to live.
And the containers, if it makessense for you to also get
containers for that space.
But once you've decluttered aspace, then you get to truly
assess what your needs are.
Now you might be decluttering anart area and that you have paint
(14:10):
sitting there and you're like,oh, originally I wanted a drawer
for all the paint.
But now that I only have fivepaints left because that's,
what's not dried out anymore.
They can sit on the shelf and Ithink that's fine.
But I do still want to have somesort of something for paint
brushes, and maybe I'm lookingat the space and I take a tape
measure and measure the.
(14:31):
The depth.
I measure the width and Imeasure the height.
Of the space so that I can findsomething that truly works in
there.
And then you could simply go toI like M design or I designed,
they've got a lot of reallygreat things or take your
measurements and go to thecontainer store There's so many
different stores out there thathave so many different
organizing tools for you.
(14:53):
You can find something thatworks for you, but I encourage
you to take the measurements.
I know that's a barrier.
That's like an extra step ingetting to getting your space
organized, but it's so worth it.
'cause you get closer to havinga space that truly works for you
instead of just trying to makethings fit in places that don't
(15:13):
make sense.
But, to that point, most of thetime when I'm in someone's home,
because we've collected all ofthese containers in one spot.
We end up actually findingsomething that's going to work
in that space.
Without having to go and buyanything.
And so it's, taking a look atwhat your current inventory for
(15:35):
containers is.
And assessing your needs at thatpoint, or maybe you finally
emptied out a basket that was adoom basket of items that
finally got put away.
And now this basket is theperfect space for you to drop
your keys at the end of the day.
Because it's easy.
It goes right where you wouldhave dropped your keys anyway,
(15:56):
But now this basket can actuallyserve as another purpose.
And It doesn't mean that youcan't still shop for containers
and get excited abouteverything.
save the posts on social mediaand maybe never come back to
them.
But that's a story for anotherday.
But continue to follow thepeople that create these
beautiful aesthetic spaces.
Just remember that if youhaven't decluttered yet and your
(16:18):
space is not truly ready to justput the items in a container and
go.
Then you're not necessarilyready to buy the containers yet.
And that's okay.
We're taking baby steps towardthe end of our journey.
And part of the baby steps isnot buying all this stuff ahead
of time.
(16:39):
Instead.
Maybe you've saved stuff in acart.
Maybe you make a wishlistsomewhere.
There's so many different onlineshopping areas where you can
make a wishlist.
And it just makes sense,honestly.
Even if you did that.
Once you are shopping for thatspace, you're going to find the
(17:02):
perfect item.
And it doesn't matter if youhave it saved in a car or not.
You're going to find the rightitem for you, because guess
what?
You're probably an incredibleshopper.
My clients are so incredible.
They recommend the mostridiculously amazing things to
me We know what to shop forwhere to shop for it because.
Chances are, we've tried a lotof fricking things along the
(17:24):
way.
I used to have a Facebook group.
When I first started thepodcast, I no longer have the
Facebook group, but last Amazonprime day.
I think it was, last year.
But I have an Amazon affiliateaccount.
And so I was sharing some of myfavorite products because that's
what organizers do.
But as I was doing it, I waslike, you know what, I'm going
(17:45):
to do this a little bitdifferently.
I'm going to do this in a way.
So that people shop for thingsin a way that They're not
overspending.
And there's some things that Ido think that you could purchase
right away without having toassess the space.
Like I have this incredible beanbag chair that I used for my
girls.
And instead of bean bags in it,we put all their stuffed animals
(18:07):
in it.
And it's one of my favoritethings.
I don't think that you can gowrong with it.
It's also linked on my websiteand my blog.
if you guys are interested, I'llput it in the show notes below,
but if you don't, it's not, ifit's not in the budget, don't go
and get it.
for most other things, I setsome parameters around
purchasing these items first.
(18:28):
And I want to share that withyou today because you can write
these down.
You can use them for you.
Before you go to purchase it.
Ask yourself.
Do you even know what roomyou're going to buy it for?
Is your closet, is it yourbedroom?
Do I have a specific job forthis container?
(18:48):
And what I mean by that is.
what is its purpose going to be?
Are you going to put towels init?
Are you going to put shoes init?
Maybe all your winter gear,maybe just winter hats, maybe
just winter gloves.
Is it going to be for hair, bowsand accessories?
(19:10):
Is it going to be just forhairbrushes, maybe you're buying
something under the sink, justfor your curling iron.
So for that type of stuff.
What is the actual purpose thatthis is going to serve?
Because sometimes we look atthese items and you're like,
Gosh, I could use 10 of those.
I don't know where I'm going touse them, but I'm just going to
get them because then I'll havethem.
(19:31):
And then as soon as they go toorganize, I'll know where to
grab them from.
And then it'll be super easy.
Except I think we all know howthat can turn out sometimes.
ask yourself, have I actuallydecluttered the space, then I'm
going to use this in.
Or am I hoping it just solvesthe clutter problem.
Of what I'm already goingthrough right now.
(19:52):
If it's just solving a clutterproblem, maybe it's not time to
purchase it.
Then I want you to ask yourself.
Have I bought another containerrecently, that's waiting for me
to unbox it and unwrap it anduse it.
And have I actually done that oram I doing this now?
Because I'm excited about it.
(20:12):
And I've lost interest in thisother project that I'm also
working on.
It's funny because we hateroles.
But we also thrive on rules.
we're so good when we set rulesand boundaries for ourselves,
it's just, most of the timewe've never been taught to set
rules and boundaries forourselves.
So we don't necessarily know howto do it.
(20:34):
So that's where asking somesimple questions like this
before you buy something isgoing to be very helpful.
we go and find this container wethink is going to be the
solution to everything In ourlives.
And it just ends up causing morefrustration and creating more
clutter.
(20:55):
Raise your hand.
If you've bought containers andnow they're just adding to the
clutter.
That is the clutter already inyour home.
If your hand is raised.
Write down these rules.
So truthfully, like it, it justcomes back to simplicity
declutter your items first.
(21:15):
Assess the needs and what youtruly actually need.
And then shop intentionally.
With the understanding offinding what's going to add to
the system that you've createdfor yourself.
Instead of just buying somethingthat you're hoping to be the
solution to everything thatyou've been hoping for in your
(21:36):
life.
Organizing is about creatingsystems that work.
I truly want everything to be aspretty as possible, too.
I love that.
Look when I've organized a spaceand everything is in this
perfect space.
Amazing.
it feels so good.
And.
It's so much more about findingthe right spaces for you in your
(21:57):
home.
And not just about thebeautification.
I love the aesthetics.
And we've got to be intentionalabout the aesthetics.
Otherwise all of the containersare just going to add to the
craziness that is going on inour brains.
One of the reasons why I becamea coach is because it's not just
(22:21):
about doing the stuff and havingsomeone force you do the stuff.
In fact, that's not what it'sabout at all.
It's about.
Really understanding the beliefsystem.
And why we've been operating theway that we've been operating
for so long.
And taking a step back andevaluating some of the things
that we've been doingunconsciously for so long.
(22:42):
And starting to do it in aconscious way or in a way that.
Helps you realize that you canmake your dreams come true when
you really put your heart andyour mind to it.
No matter where you're at in thejourney, there's a place for
you.
I'd love to work with you.
I'd love to meet you in mymembership.
And if you have any questions,book a call with me in the show
(23:02):
notes below.
I'd love to chat with you more.
And if nothing else.
If you're a homebody and youdon't like to talk to people and
coaching and a membership is notfor you.
Thanks for listening along.
I'm happy to be in your ear.
And I would love if you couldleave a review for how this
podcast is impacted, you.
Or a loved onE.
Happy organizing.
(23:22):
Thanks for hanging with metoday.
If this episode gave yousomething to think about or
reminded you that you're notalone in this mess, I hope you
carry that into the rest of yourday.
Right now, inside the community,we're focused on routines.
Not the perfect ones, but thereal life.
Let's just start somewhere kind.
We're looking at what's working,what still works, and what we
might wanna shift for the yearahead while the community is
(23:45):
closed right now to new members.
If you're craving support thatactually meets your brain where
it is, get on the wait list atorganizing an ADHD
brain.com/community.
Doors will open soon and I'dlove to welcome you in.
You can also grab the dopaminemenu and check out some other
free tools on the ways toconnect page if you're just
starting out.
(24:06):
Zero pressure, just good stuffto help you move forward.
And if you're curious aboutcoaching, the wait list is open
there too.
I'm reworking a few things andmaybe even dreaming up a group
coaching offer.
But we'll see.
As always, you don't have to getit all right.
You just have to start, and theperfect place to start is right
where you are.
Hey, beautiful people.
(00:01):
It's Megs and welcome back toorganizing an A DHD Brain as I
get ready to launch season threethis September, I wanted to
revisit a few episodes thatstill hold so much truth,
whether it's your first timehearing them or they're coming
back to meet you in a new way.
They're worth another.
Listen, this next season is allabout the messy middle, where
(00:23):
your brain still wants to do itall or nothing at all, and
you're learning how to take onesmall step.
Anyway, I've been in it too,letting go rebuilding, figuring
out exactly what works for mybrain, and you don't have to do
it like I did, but you can do itwith awkward steps, with
emotion, and with way more gracethan you're probably giving
(00:43):
yourself.
So let this episode be areminder.
You don't have to be fullyunburied to move forward.
You're allowed to want more joyand you're absolutely capable of
creating change right where youare.
Let's jump in.
Yeti Stereo Microphone (00:56):
I am actually surprised that I
haven't done an episode on thisyet because I feel pretty
strongly about container buying.
And I also feel strongly abouthow fun it is to buy containers
for organizing, which is such aconundrum.
here's why I'm doing thisepisode, because I want you to
understand how buying containerscan sometimes be a trap,
(01:19):
especially for those of us withADHD.
We know how to shop.
We know how to get it done.
It feels good to shop and itfeels like we're getting
something done or we're startinga project when we do purchase
items.
And they just get delivered toour door so that we can take the
next steps in the rightdirection.
But being in so many people'shomes, including my own, I can
(01:41):
tell you some of the things thatI see time and time again.
I'd like to rewind things just alittle bit back to when I used
to work at the cheesecakefactory back on the north shore
in Boston.
I would often get to the mall alittle bit early so that I could
paruse some of the stores I'llnever forget when the container
store was first built.
(02:03):
And the feeling I felt when Iwalked into that store.
Thinking about how manysolutions, all of those
containers.
Could provide.
For all of my stuff, for all ofthe things that I didn't know
what to do with here was thesolution for everything.
(02:24):
And then I looked at the pricetag and I was like, whoa, one
day I'll be able to purchaseitems from this store today.
I'm going to choose to spend mymoney in other places.
Now of course I was working atthe cheesecake factory.
I was also getting my degreedown in Boston and traveling in
and out full time.
(02:44):
I did not have the extra moneyto spend on containers, but I
felt like it was almost a Riteof passage when I could.
Finally make that happen in mylife.
And I can't tell you how manytimes I've bought something,
thinking that it's going to bethe perfect solution.
To all of the clutter that istaking up my life and making me
(03:05):
feel so overwhelmed and what I'mdoing on a regular basis.
So if you're feeling that waytoo, and if you have stuff
that's sitting in packages,still waiting to be unwrapped so
that you can intricately put allof your things in this organized
way.
With the promise of everythingbeing better on the other end of
it.
I just want you to know thatyou're not alone.
(03:27):
I've been there.
You've probably been therebefore, too, and done it before.
When it comes to other people'shomes that I've worked in now,
I've worked in people's homesfor a couple hours.
I've worked in people's homesfor a couple months, just
depending on their budget andthe amount of time that they,
you know, I can certainlysupport them.
(03:48):
I don't do as much in personorganizing anymore because of
coaching.
But here's what I can tell youis most of the time, Those
containers are bought.
Prematurely.
In a manner that is hopeful toget things under control within
a short amount of time.
(04:09):
And we love to see the bigpicture and think that we can
tackle everything in a weekend.
But what happens?
As we don't give our containersjobs, we simply just put the
stuff in it.
And now our clutter is just alittle bit more organized.
Like it just.
It's sitting in a container nowinstead of actually being
(04:31):
organized.
Oftentimes the containers thatwe buy.
will become really pretty DOOMboxes.
And do means didn't organizeonly moved.
So they look really nice, butwe've got them scattered all
over the place or maybe they arein one spot, but they don't
actually have a job.
(04:53):
I'm sure some of you have anarea like a mud area where you
have all the shoes and you'vegot all this stuff.
And maybe you bought thosecubbies.
Cause you're like, this is goingto get everything out of the way
and sure.
It gets everything out of theway.
But when you open it up, youhave no idea what's inside of
them because it's a mishmash ofstuff.
I want to give you a littleinsight into why buying
(05:14):
containers first can backfireand how this episode can help
you avoid the trap.
And to maybe ask a few questionsbefore you buy a container so
that that you're making theright decision for yourself and
not just trying to put aband-aid.
On the issue that is the clutterin your home.
(05:34):
It's so easy to make thoseimpulse buying solutions.
When we feel like we finallyfound the perfect solution.
But without a plan.
We often fail.
let's analyze this marketingaspect.
Think about all of the socialmedia platforms that you follow
when it comes to organizing.
(05:55):
Most of them have to do with, ohmy gosh, you have to try this
organizing hack.
It's so cool.
Or check out what I bought toorganize this.
This is what I did, and this iswhat you can do to.
Or.
Look at this incredible deal Igot here.
You've got to go and get this.
Now, there is nothing wrong withthat because it can find that
(06:16):
it's very inspiring to sometimessee all of this.
But a lot of the times, we'rejust seeing this social media.
Invitation to go and purchasesomething that whomever is
posting.
But what's hard for us with ADHDis that we see that as an
immediate solution to everythingthat's gone wrong in our lives.
(06:37):
And that's not the case.
I remember I was organizing forsomeone.
this was probably in the fall of2023.
And we had both seen this reallycool hack for storing lids for
your pots and pants.
And I was like, oh my gosh,those look so amazing.
I was like, cool.
I'll get them.
I'll try them out.
(06:57):
And then we'll see if it's agood fit for you.
So I bought some and I boughtsome like prettier ones cause I
wanted them to be clear and Iwanted them to look really nice.
And I, first of all, measuringthem to get the right size for
the pot lid That was annoying,but whatever annoyance is fine,
as long as you get it to workright.
And then I got it to work.
And as I would close and openthe door, the pot lid would
(07:21):
clang back and forth.
And I was like, oh my gosh, thisis so not what social media
promised me.
But it taught me a valuablelesson in that if I see
something cool online, I'm goingto need to do a little bit more
research to truly understand ifthis is going to be a solution
or not, because especially ifyou live in a smaller space.
(07:41):
You do have to find.
Weird and unique ways to storeyour things, your items, so that
it can work for you.
So I'm not saying don't go andbuy things.
I'm saying don't go and buythings first without asking
yourself Some really clearquestions.
But then to that point, there'sso many companies out there that
literally just make storagecontainers.
(08:03):
That's what they do.
They make them for kitchens.
They make them for pantries.
They make them for drawers.
They make them for garages.
They make them for this, that,and the other thing.
I go to the container store allthe time.
So there are so many companiesout there telling you.
That this is your solution.
This is what you need to buy.
And then everything will beokay.
(08:25):
I want to paint you anotherpicture Have you ever bought an
app saying that, oh my gosh,this is your key to getting all
your chores done, or this isyour key to schedule management.
And this is your key to finallygetting it all right.
And figuring out your ADHDbrain.
And this is the tool that'sgoing to make it all work.
And then you get it and you'reso excited and you've used it
(08:45):
for a couple of days and thenyou stop using it and you're
like, oh, I'll get back to it atone point.
And then you still don't getback to it.
And now you've spent maybe acouple of months of subscription
money on this app or on thistool that's going to help you.
And in the end, it hasn't helpedyou at all.
Part of that.
(09:06):
Is because while these appdesigners have these incredible
ideas and they figured out whatworks for their brain, Without
you figuring out the system thatworks for you.
And the solution to what youactually need in your space
first.
Nothing that you purchase isgoing to be a solution for you
(09:27):
as much as you want it to be.
And it took me a lot ofpurchases to finally figure this
out.
But nothing that you buy isgoing to be the perfect
solution.
Until.
You truly figure out what youneed.
When I am in people's homes thatI've worked in for, like I said,
a couple hours, or even formonths at a time.
(09:51):
After we have gone through theprocess of decluttering.
And getting things in a spacethat works For the people that
live and operate in this home.
We have a pile of organizingitems.
That could be used in anotherspace.
Yes.
But a pile of organizing itemsthat are just no longer needed
(10:12):
in that space.
It's just stuff.
like we have a resource oforganizing products that we can
go to choose from.
And I will tell you nine timesout of 10.
We don't need a darn thingbecause we've gotten rid of so
much.
You don't have to contain asmuch anymore.
(10:33):
It's fascinating.
And then you realize what couldreally elevate the space.
Like on one hand, you go to adrawer or a.
a cabinet, you open it up andyou're like, oh my gosh.
If I just had all of thesecontainers.
That could fit in hereperfectly.
I could put all of thesedifferent things and in all of
these different spaces and itwould all work for me.
(10:55):
Except that once we've actuallygotten rid of the things that
don't serve a purpose in yourlife anymore.
You realize that, oh wow.
Instead of the 10 containers Ithought I would need to purchase
for this space.
I really only need two.
And actually I could use adrawer here instead, because
that is what I need for theseitems.
(11:17):
are you guys like picking up upwhen I'm putting down?
go out and buy the containers ifthat's what makes you feel
happy.
Awesome.
But we've got to have some rulesaround it because if you go up
by and containers for one area,But then you get excited about
another area.
Now you're buying containers.
For that area.
Now you've got all of theseunfinished projects all over
(11:37):
your house that feeloverwhelming now, because now
you've got all this stuff youneed to unpack.
And what if it doesn't work nowyou're outside of the return
window and there are so manyother things to consider.
As you are getting your home ina space to be organized.
Okay, Megs.
if I can't buy containers, thenwhat do I do to get to the point
where I can buy containers and Ican't get excited about it.
(12:00):
Haha.
here's what you do.
The first thing you're going todo is declutter.
You're going to go through thestuff that you have and let go
of the items That no longerserve a purpose in your home.
Now, this is another episode,right?
Because letting go can be sodifficult for us and we can find
a reason to keep literallyeverything.
(12:23):
in our homes.
So this is like a next stepafter that.
But once you have found a wayand peace within yourself to let
go.
And a method for getting stuffout of your home.
You can continue to declutterthroughout your home to figure
out where things are actuallygoing to live.
And side note for a second.
(12:44):
A lot of the times we have somuch stuff in different places
that we don't even know where itdoes live.
So buying the containers is amoot point.
Cause what if you buy it forthis area, but they are actually
supposed to live in this area.
And now that container doesn'twork for this other area.
So now it's just sitting therewaiting to be used.
And hoping that has a purpose inthe future for something else.
(13:05):
likely we can always find apurpose for it.
But we still want to avoidbuying it because what if we buy
too many because we do, we justdo.
So letting go is one of thefirst things, and that's why I
encourage you find a time duringthe day that could work for you.
When is the time that your brainallows you to be the most
(13:26):
productive?
Is it right after your kidsleave for school?
Is it right when you wake up inthe morning?
Is it right before you to go tobed at night, you get to decide
what that looks like for you.
And declutter a space so thatyou can start making progress in
a way that makes sense for you.
But decluttering always has tohappen first.
it's all about empowering peopleto let go of the stuff they have
(13:49):
so that they can make room forthe life.
They really want to live.
And the containers, if it makessense for you to also get
containers for that space.
But once you've decluttered aspace, then you get to truly
assess what your needs are.
Now you might be decluttering anart area and that you have paint
(14:10):
sitting there and you're like,oh, originally I wanted a drawer
for all the paint.
But now that I only have fivepaints left because that's,
what's not dried out anymore.
They can sit on the shelf and Ithink that's fine.
But I do still want to have somesort of something for paint
brushes, and maybe I'm lookingat the space and I take a tape
measure and measure the.
(14:31):
The depth.
I measure the width and Imeasure the height.
Of the space so that I can findsomething that truly works in
there.
And then you could simply go toI like M design or I designed,
they've got a lot of reallygreat things or take your
measurements and go to thecontainer store There's so many
different stores out there thathave so many different
organizing tools for you.
(14:53):
You can find something thatworks for you, but I encourage
you to take the measurements.
I know that's a barrier.
That's like an extra step ingetting to getting your space
organized, but it's so worth it.
'cause you get closer to havinga space that truly works for you
instead of just trying to makethings fit in places that don't
(15:13):
make sense.
But, to that point, most of thetime when I'm in someone's home,
because we've collected all ofthese containers in one spot.
We end up actually findingsomething that's going to work
in that space.
Without having to go and buyanything.
And so it's, taking a look atwhat your current inventory for
(15:35):
containers is.
And assessing your needs at thatpoint, or maybe you finally
emptied out a basket that was adoom basket of items that
finally got put away.
And now this basket is theperfect space for you to drop
your keys at the end of the day.
Because it's easy.
It goes right where you wouldhave dropped your keys anyway,
(15:56):
But now this basket can actuallyserve as another purpose.
And It doesn't mean that youcan't still shop for containers
and get excited abouteverything.
save the posts on social mediaand maybe never come back to
them.
But that's a story for anotherday.
But continue to follow thepeople that create these
beautiful aesthetic spaces.
Just remember that if youhaven't decluttered yet and your
(16:18):
space is not truly ready to justput the items in a container and
go.
Then you're not necessarilyready to buy the containers yet.
And that's okay.
We're taking baby steps towardthe end of our journey.
And part of the baby steps isnot buying all this stuff ahead
of time.
(16:39):
Instead.
Maybe you've saved stuff in acart.
Maybe you make a wishlistsomewhere.
There's so many different onlineshopping areas where you can
make a wishlist.
And it just makes sense,honestly.
Even if you did that.
Once you are shopping for thatspace, you're going to find the
(17:02):
perfect item.
And it doesn't matter if youhave it saved in a car or not.
You're going to find the rightitem for you, because guess
what?
You're probably an incredibleshopper.
My clients are so incredible.
They recommend the mostridiculously amazing things to
me We know what to shop forwhere to shop for it because.
Chances are, we've tried a lotof fricking things along the
(17:24):
way.
I used to have a Facebook group.
When I first started thepodcast, I no longer have the
Facebook group, but last Amazonprime day.
I think it was, last year.
But I have an Amazon affiliateaccount.
And so I was sharing some of myfavorite products because that's
what organizers do.
But as I was doing it, I waslike, you know what, I'm going
(17:45):
to do this a little bitdifferently.
I'm going to do this in a way.
So that people shop for thingsin a way that They're not
overspending.
And there's some things that Ido think that you could purchase
right away without having toassess the space.
Like I have this incredible beanbag chair that I used for my
girls.
And instead of bean bags in it,we put all their stuffed animals
(18:07):
in it.
And it's one of my favoritethings.
I don't think that you can gowrong with it.
It's also linked on my websiteand my blog.
if you guys are interested, I'llput it in the show notes below,
but if you don't, it's not, ifit's not in the budget, don't go
and get it.
for most other things, I setsome parameters around
purchasing these items first.
(18:28):
And I want to share that withyou today because you can write
these down.
You can use them for you.
Before you go to purchase it.
Ask yourself.
Do you even know what roomyou're going to buy it for?
Is your closet, is it yourbedroom?
Do I have a specific job forthis container?
(18:48):
And what I mean by that is.
what is its purpose going to be?
Are you going to put towels init?
Are you going to put shoes init?
Maybe all your winter gear,maybe just winter hats, maybe
just winter gloves.
Is it going to be for hair, bowsand accessories?
(19:10):
Is it going to be just forhairbrushes, maybe you're buying
something under the sink, justfor your curling iron.
So for that type of stuff.
What is the actual purpose thatthis is going to serve?
Because sometimes we look atthese items and you're like,
Gosh, I could use 10 of those.
I don't know where I'm going touse them, but I'm just going to
get them because then I'll havethem.
(19:31):
And then as soon as they go toorganize, I'll know where to
grab them from.
And then it'll be super easy.
Except I think we all know howthat can turn out sometimes.
ask yourself, have I actuallydecluttered the space, then I'm
going to use this in.
Or am I hoping it just solvesthe clutter problem.
Of what I'm already goingthrough right now.
(19:52):
If it's just solving a clutterproblem, maybe it's not time to
purchase it.
Then I want you to ask yourself.
Have I bought another containerrecently, that's waiting for me
to unbox it and unwrap it anduse it.
And have I actually done that oram I doing this now?
Because I'm excited about it.
(20:12):
And I've lost interest in thisother project that I'm also
working on.
It's funny because we hateroles.
But we also thrive on rules.
we're so good when we set rulesand boundaries for ourselves,
it's just, most of the timewe've never been taught to set
rules and boundaries forourselves.
So we don't necessarily know howto do it.
(20:34):
So that's where asking somesimple questions like this
before you buy something isgoing to be very helpful.
we go and find this container wethink is going to be the
solution to everything In ourlives.
And it just ends up causing morefrustration and creating more
clutter.
(20:55):
Raise your hand.
If you've bought containers andnow they're just adding to the
clutter.
That is the clutter already inyour home.
If your hand is raised.
Write down these rules.
So truthfully, like it, it justcomes back to simplicity
declutter your items first.
(21:15):
Assess the needs and what youtruly actually need.
And then shop intentionally.
With the understanding offinding what's going to add to
the system that you've createdfor yourself.
Instead of just buying somethingthat you're hoping to be the
solution to everything thatyou've been hoping for in your
(21:36):
life.
Organizing is about creatingsystems that work.
I truly want everything to be aspretty as possible, too.
I love that.
Look when I've organized a spaceand everything is in this
perfect space.
Amazing.
it feels so good.
And.
It's so much more about findingthe right spaces for you in your
(21:57):
home.
And not just about thebeautification.
I love the aesthetics.
And we've got to be intentionalabout the aesthetics.
Otherwise all of the containersare just going to add to the
craziness that is going on inour brains.
One of the reasons why I becamea coach is because it's not just
(22:21):
about doing the stuff and havingsomeone force you do the stuff.
In fact, that's not what it'sabout at all.
It's about.
Really understanding the beliefsystem.
And why we've been operating theway that we've been operating
for so long.
And taking a step back andevaluating some of the things
that we've been doingunconsciously for so long.
(22:42):
And starting to do it in aconscious way or in a way that.
Helps you realize that you canmake your dreams come true when
you really put your heart andyour mind to it.
No matter where you're at in thejourney, there's a place for
you.
I'd love to work with you.
I'd love to meet you in mymembership.
And if you have any questions,book a call with me in the show
(23:02):
notes below.
I'd love to chat with you more.
And if nothing else.
If you're a homebody and youdon't like to talk to people and
coaching and a membership is notfor you.
Thanks for listening along.
I'm happy to be in your ear.
And I would love if you couldleave a review for how this
podcast is impacted, you.
Or a loved onE.
Happy organizing.
(23:22):
Thanks for hanging with metoday.
If this episode gave yousomething to think about or
reminded you that you're notalone in this mess, I hope you
carry that into the rest of yourday.
Right now, inside the community,we're focused on routines.
Not the perfect ones, but thereal life.
Let's just start somewhere kind.
We're looking at what's working,what still works, and what we
might wanna shift for the yearahead while the community is
(23:45):
closed right now to new members.
If you're craving support thatactually meets your brain where
it is, get on the wait list atorganizing an ADHD
brain.com/community.
Doors will open soon and I'dlove to welcome you in.
You can also grab the dopaminemenu and check out some other
free tools on the ways toconnect page if you're just
starting out.
(24:06):
Zero pressure, just good stuffto help you move forward.
And if you're curious aboutcoaching, the wait list is open
there too.
I'm reworking a few things andmaybe even dreaming up a group
coaching offer.
But we'll see.
As always, you don't have to getit all right.
You just have to start, and theperfect place to start is right
where you are.
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