In our house with 5 kids, 2 dogs, a cat and a set of parents, there is always washing to be done. But as a late diagnosed ADHDer it has been one of the motherhood duties that at times has completely overwhelmed me and left me paralysed.

You see for ADHD brains boring tasks like washing, lack dopamine and there have actually been studies to prove that being bored causes physical pain to us. So we leave it till the last minute, waiting for that adrenaline to give us that panic feeling of motivation and kick us up the butt. However, this isn’t a healthy way to live, always feeling stressed out, I hated how it made me snap when someone asked for a piece of clothing and I knew it was somewhere deep in the mountain of washing that I hadn’t got round to yet.

I realised I needed a system to help me, I realised that when I had to stop, it paralysed me but if I always had somewhere for the washing to go, I would keep going. For example, if the washing basket was ready, waiting and empty I would be able to fill it with the dry clothes, if the dryer was empty, I could put it in the dryer. But if there was a chink in the chain, like the dryer being full with no where for the dry clothes to go, I’d get stuck and my brain wouldn’t be able to complete the next step. That’s when I came up with “The in Flow Washing System” I would use one basket to transport the clean wet washing to the dryer/clothes line and have Ikea bags for the dry clean washing.

It worked, I washed all week and then on a Sunday I would tip it all on my bed and do a massive sort out. We’d go into a new week with full draws and there would be so much less stress.

However, my bedroom floor was filled with clean bags of washing, I was having to scramble over the top of it to get to bed and the clutter was overwhelming me. I wanted our room to be for us to feel relaxed, but it felt more like a laundrette instead.

I would love a utility room, but we don’t have the space, I always see mums who have rows of baskets labeled with each child’s name, there’s no way I could ever be that organised but I thought I could put my own spin on it. I took to the Ikea website to try and find a storage solution, I measured out the basket I had, ordered 4 more and a shelving unit I thought would fit.

It came and I rolled up my sleeves and put my DIY hat on, I went wrong several times and its ended up being completed but upside down with no feet on but it was made. As I was putting it all together it looked a lot smaller than the washing baskets I had. Slightly annoyed at myself, that my ADHD brain had read the measurements wrong and it was all going to be a massive waste of time but thankfully they fit. A teeny bit of a squeeze but it works.

I shared my idea on Instagram and so many people shared in my frustration of feeling like they live in a laundrette, so I wanted to share in a blog the items and the process I use.

Some people might be able to go a step further and label each basket for a different child, for me I know my brain and how that would stop me from moving forward. Maybe one day I’ll be that organised but by pin pointing the problems, seeing what it is that causes the challenge and taking small steps to help myself through coaching has made such a positive impact to my mental health.

Learning about ADHD, the challenges, the positives and the strategies that actually work, rather than trying to change my ways to fit in with the “norm”.

If you’d like some help pin pointing the hurdles in your life, making a plan to overcome them and implementing strategies that work with your brain and not against it, I’m a certified ADHD and would love to work with you. You can register your interest by clicking here.

I’d love to hear if you’re going to try this system at home?

Lets stay connected!
With love & gratitude,

Ana Bonasera