If you’re a mom with ADHD, you know the struggle of trying to clean an entire house when everything feels like a priority. It’s overwhelming, distracting, and can leave you feeling stuck before you even start. That’s where my favorite ADHD-friendly cleaning strategy, “Focused Corners,” comes in.
Focused Corners is a simple yet effective way to bring order to your home without the stress of tackling everything at once. It’s about zeroing in on one small area, creating a visible win, and using that momentum to spark more progress.
Let’s dive into how Focused Corners work and why they might just become your go-to cleaning strategy.
What Are Focused Corners?
Focused Corners is a cleaning approach that asks you to pick one specific area of your home and give it your full attention. This could be:
- A single countertop
- One corner of the living room
- Your bedside table
The key is to keep the area small and manageable so you can complete it quickly and feel accomplished.
Why It Works:
- ADHD brains thrive on quick wins and visible results.
- Focusing on one small area reduces overwhelm.
- A tidy corner can create a ripple effect, inspiring you to tackle more.
How to Use the Focused Corners Strategy
1. Choose Your Corner
Pick an area that’s bothering you the most or one that’s easy to tackle. It could be the kitchen counter covered in mail or the coffee table littered with toys.
Quick Tip: Start with a highly visible area—seeing it clean will give you an instant mood boost.
2. Set a Timer
ADHD brains love time constraints. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and commit to working on your chosen corner until the timer goes off.
Why It Works: A timer creates a sense of urgency and prevents you from spending too long on one task.
3. Sort and Simplify
Use the “keep, toss, donate” method to quickly sort through items in your corner. Keep only what belongs there, toss trash, and relocate items that don’t belong.
Encouragement: Don’t overthink it—the goal is to make visible progress, not achieve perfection.
4. Celebrate Your Win
Once your corner is clean, take a moment to admire your work. Celebrate your accomplishment with a mini reward, like a cup of coffee or five minutes of scrolling your favorite app.
Pro Tip: Snap a photo of your clean corner to remind yourself of what you can achieve.
5. Repeat When You’re Ready
If you have the energy and motivation, move on to another corner. If not, that’s okay! One focused corner is still progress, and progress is the goal.
Why Focused Corners Work for ADHD Moms
1. They Eliminate Overwhelm
Instead of facing an entire messy room, you’re focusing on a small, manageable area. This reduces the mental load and makes starting easier.
2. They Provide Instant Gratification
Seeing one clean, organized space gives you a dopamine boost, which helps keep you motivated.
3. They’re Flexible
You can tackle one corner at a time or several in a day, depending on your energy level. There’s no pressure to do it all at once.
4. They Build Momentum
Cleaning one corner often inspires you to clean another—and another. Before you know it, the room starts looking better.
How Focused Corners Transformed My Cleaning Routine
When I started using Focused Corners, I stopped feeling paralyzed by the mess. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the big picture, I focused on one small win at a time. Not only did my home feel cleaner, but I also felt more confident in my ability to manage it.
If you’ve been struggling with cleaning and organization, give Focused Corners a try. It’s a simple, ADHD-friendly strategy that can make a big difference.
