ADHD, Perfectionism, and Clutter: 8 Things I Wish My Friends and Family Understood

In this episode of Organizing an ADHD Brain, host Megs Crawford shares eight powerful truths about the ADHD brain. From being mislabeled as “lazy” to struggling with perfectionism, overcommitting, and the exhaustion of masking as “organized” at work, Megs continues exploring the “messy middle” of ADHD and organization by breaking down what she wishes others truly understood about living with ADHD. Whether you’re navigating ADHD yourself or trying to better understand a loved one, this conversation highlights the role of emotions, perfectionism, boundaries, and support in making real, sustainable progress toward organization and peace.

Article Link (2 Pages) - Understanding ADHD from a Strengths-Based Perspective

Key Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction: Share this Episode with Your Loved Ones

6:27 - Truth 1: I’m Not Lazy, but I Am Overwhelmed.

10:34 - Truth 2: I’m a Perfectionist, So I’m Procrastinating.

13:43 - Truth 3: I Want To Do Everything, But I Can’t.

17:09 - Truth 4: Organizing Might Seem Easy, but ADHD Brains Don’t Default to Systems.

20:03 - Truth 5: I Am the Only Person Who Can Change Me. (Curiosity > Control)

22:49 - Truth 6: Time Blindness is Real.

25:34 - Truth 7: Making Organization in One Space (Like Work) Drains My Energy.

28:19 - Truth 8: I Am Listening, But Focus Shifts are HARD.

31:33 - The Importance of Support and Understanding

36:37 - ADHD and Emotional Regulation

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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.

*In some shows, there are items offered for free on my website. As of this recording, the only download available is the Dopamine Menu, You can download the dopamine menu here: FREE Dopamine Menu Download

I even send you a video on how to complete!