Need a Personal organizer for me (or ADD coach)

amother

Sapphire

Wed, Jan 24 2018, 9:51 pm

Inspired by the thread where OP complained of not managing her household (forgot what thread was called) I saw myself in her. I couldve wrote her post.
So basically I am extremely unorganized and have always been. I literally don't have the basic skills how to organize. It's like a handicap. My house is just things and stuff and papers and and and... I don't know how to make systems or where to put things. In a nutshell I have adhd (inattentive) and can't function normally.

I would love to have a personal organizer come here to help. BUT I need our types to match.

. I follow some on instagram and they are so not my type and what I need. they're all into putting every kitchen ingredient in fancy containers with white covers. and also seems like they work in nice home with plenty of space. The playroom pics they always put up are nice and spacious. HI we don't have a playroom. I need someone who can help me manage in tight quarters. An apartment with no basement or extra room. Needs to be down to earth, not all into everything looking gorgeous and perfect. That's not my goal. Just that everything be organized and that I learn a system and understand the concept behind it.

Anyone know someone in the Brooklyn area who sounds like she can help me?

Best would be if theres someone who is an actual ADD coach. Does anyone know
of such a thing? even if I go to them and they dont come to my house. I think that will help

amother

Pewter

Wed, Jan 24 2018, 11:08 pm

Um hello OP! Are we twins separated at birth?? U just described me to the tea! Whoever can recommend a good ADD coach to help that would be great! Organizer is also amazing but like OP said, I am not either into all the fancy labels and containers. Just a good system that works and helps get my house functioning and organized... hugs to you I totally get you!!

seeker

Thu, Jan 25 2018, 1:20 am

I'm also interested in hearing if there's an ADD coaching specialist who can relate to the needs of a frum mother/household.

But meanwhile, don't be so quick to knock the matching containers. Having things look nice is important, especially with ADD where you don't experience rewards and motivation as easily - when things LOOK nice, it's more rewarding and more motivating to keep them that way. And being able to look around at a nice-looking home, even a small part of it, does something very good to your brain and your ability to function positively in other areas - your one shelf of nicely lined up containers can give you the warm fuzzy feelings even if it's the only place that looks that way. And it does not need to take up more space. Believe me, my apartment is probably smaller than yours.

Until you find the magic coach, I've found threads like these sometimes spawn really useful tips. Maybe post some more specific challenges and people can add what helped them?

You've probably heard this one many times before but it bears repeating every few weeks or so: PURGE PURGE PURGE. Whatever you don't have, you don't need to organize, find places for, or clean up! Throw away lots of stuff!

And also accept that homes without playrooms are inevitably going to look different than homes with playrooms. The toys will spread. That's just the way it is.

amother

Pewter

Thu, Jan 25 2018, 6:14 am

Thank you! I think I will call an organizer to help me get a jump start with me and maybe I’ll make a maintenance plan with her like to come down every 2 months for 2-3 hours just to check and reorganize whatever got out of place (if needed).
And then I’ll see from there how to go about my every day tasks without procrastinating or getting distracted

imasinger

Thu, Jan 25 2018, 6:29 am

Hatzlacha! Some other thoughts, if you can't get going with a pro right away.

You can consider if you have cleaning help who speaks English, asking for their input.

You can advertise for a teen or adult who loves to organize to come help out, and you will pay her. A fraction of the cost of a professional, and if you find the right person, can be very effective.

You can get how to advice online (some links on the other thread) or in your public library. Look for books by Don Azlett, or Organizing For Dummies.

You can start a clean along thread here, and all of us working to improve can post progress and give chizuk.

I find myself so much more able to stay on task when I'm not drowning in stuff and mess!

amother

Seafoam

Thu, Jan 25 2018, 7:28 am

Ditto, another fellow ADD homemaker.
I was also searching high and low and couldn't find anyone to suit my style and budget.
My sister in law suggested that I sign up to the Hakol B'seder program. For those of you that don't know what it is I'll explain. She gives you tips on EVERYTHING you need to know plus it's affordable. She tells you how to maintain organization without all the fancy containers. (I don't have time or patience to put stuff into a million fancy containers - never mind wash them! ) SHE teaches you a method of daily maintenance, gives excellent tips on how to prevent buildup of clutter; I call it damage control lol. She also gives you a system with easy charts and sheets and daily chores that take very little time and are part of you once you get used to her system. Maintenance is also the key to running your home smoothly. I'm a person that CAN'T plan ahead or remember to do my chores, no matter how hard I try. I PROMISE YOU, I'M NOT MAKING COMMISSION or marketing her, but I was more than happy with the results. It's a one time fee - don't remember exactly, somewhere between $250 - $300. She also gives you a free phone session (maybe 2 calls, it's been 4 years so don't remember)with your package. You get your access code and can listen any time. I typed it up for myself, because my memory is bad. I recommended her to another ADD friend and she's very happy as well.
Another major help for me is her 8 week Pesach countdown. She plans for YOU, what to do every week and I have been so relaxed since I started this. She divides it in bite sized pieces with super decluttering tips. For me this was my life saver. If you need more information feel free to ask.

Hatzlacha!

amother

Apricot

Wed, Oct 03 2018, 8:41 pm

im same boat. Hakol bseder is a good system. Definitely a start. I took workshop for free by a yeled vyalda center. If you cant afford the workshop, u can buy the book with methods or the daily homework calendar by a judaica store or purchase by owner. Lets say fancy pantry containers doesnt always work for me because not always will I unload a pack of noodles when I buy it & empty it into a container....its nice in theory not always practical. I had someone help me declutter & make room in my closets. Half my house she walked off with to trash/charity out of here.
I saw they advertised a time management course thinking to join in my neighborhood starting now.

amother

Apricot

Wed, Oct 03 2018, 8:52 pm

the woman who helped me dumped.....picture frames waiting to be repaired....made me give away clothing that dont fit me. toys / games /puzzles with missing pieces. Torn towels/ stained tableclothes. kids art projects. shabby stuffed animals. My hub shredded all old bills & papers. I give my two boys outgrown clothes to my sil right away & she is zich mechaya as her boys are same age gap a year younger & has current style sets. I have nowhere to storage anymore. my youngest boy is six. we decluttered storage..threw out old hi chair with no insert....you get the gist....regifted some double new toys games that my kids received and are unopened.

amother

Smokey

Thu, Oct 04 2018, 3:27 pm

Hi - I just joined the women with ADD forum hoping to find some connection with women with the same struggles with home management as me. It turns out it has hardly any recent posts at all. It seems like a lot of people who commented here are my people!! Are you members of that group? Maybe we can get it active again?? I could so use the support of women who share this struggle!

Sleepymama

Sun, Oct 07 2018, 3:49 pm

Yes - I'm very ADD and I feel like when I want to get anything done I need to kind of be obsessed with it. That's why I have a hard time dieting, to actually do it "right" I have to think about it A LOT and spend a lot of time making sure I have the right foods in the house and planning meals and bringing healthy food along when I know I'll be out for a long time. That's totally above my pay grade to do that on automatic, it has to be the main thing on the forefront of my mind Sad

amother

Orange

Sun, Oct 07 2018, 4:17 pm

I almost had the guts to post this under my username...

A lot of people won't like this but I'll say it anyway. I have been struggling with organization and other things much of my life. At various point in my childhood I was on ADD meds, but I quit around 8th grade. Fast forward to now, I had been struggling with my weight for a good 10 years. PPD and depression meds on and off certainly didnt help. About a year ago, my DH suggested to me that maybe I could go on meds for ADHD, which could help me lose weight. I resisted the idea but eventually I looked into it. I had to go through some rigorous psychological testing, at which point they agreed that I do have ADD. I was very open with my GP about why I wanted to go on the meds, and since I was at a very unhealthy weight, she agreed with me that it was a good idea to try it. I found that the meds she put me on have helped for weight loss but not the ADD thus far. But since I have been consistently losing, I don't want to mess with it yet (I did try upping the dose but I had a very bad reaction). I have lost 30 lbs since February, and in the process I have also come to accept the diagnosis not just as an excuse for the meds, but for the reality that I live. I keep toying with the coaching thing, and eventually I will go for it. But in the meantime, it really was the best thing I could have done.

amother

Teal

Mon, Nov 12 2018, 1:57 pm

Just chiming in to say please ADD moms, take that step and get an organizer/cleaning help.
I know it's hard but your kids will thank you. I was a quiet kid with an ADD mom and a very cluttered apartment. It was really hard socially as I was too embarrassed to ever invite friends over. My mom was/is a great person with a huge heart and does amazing chessed....but it really would have been a game changer for me if the house had been neater.

Sparkly

Wed, Nov 21 2018, 2:06 pm

Hi, all.

I'm a personal organizer for a few years now, and am beginning my journey into time management, too- I really enjoy helping people with it, and BH my clients seem to be quite happy.
I would love to become better skilled at helping people with ADD as well.

I'm based in Lakewood, NJ, but am open to trying phone/faceTime.

can happily give references

follow @gutorganizing (havent posted in a while, there!)

I write a food & family/time management/food planning column in the Voice of Lakewood, called Mise en Place.

Message me with any questions, thanks!