Episode Summary



Feel organized on the outside but chaotic behind the scenes? In this episode, I’ll unpack four hidden ADHD trouble spots — like email overload, scattered to-do lists, and time blindness — that quietly fuel disorganization. You’ll explore simple, ADHD-friendly strategies for managing your time, memory, mood, and tasks, so you can stop spinning and feel more in control.



What You’ll Learn About Fixing Hidden ADHD Chaos:




* Why decision fatigue — not disorganization — may be the real inbox culprit



* How to reduce mental clutter by choosing the right task system for you



* Simple ways to support ADHD working memory (instead of relying on it)



* Why your calendar needs buffer time — and how to build it in



* How self-talk can shift emotional overwhelm into meaningful momentum




Transcript: More Strategies for ADHD Disorganization



Why does life feel chaotic even when things look fine?



[00:03]



Ever feel like you’ve built an outer life that seems okay—you’re getting things done, showing up for others, making it all work—but behind the scenes, maybe it’s held together with sticky notes, half-finished lists, and sheer willpower?



If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And the good news? There’s a way through that doesn’t involve becoming someone you’re not.



You’re listening to Scattered, Focused, Done – Reimagining Productivity with ADHD, and I’m Marla Cummins.



This is part two of our conversation about what I call the messy back end—the hidden clutter, dropped balls, and unfinished admin that pile up behind the scenes, even when you look like you’ve got it all together on the outside.



In Part 1, I talked about why this happens—especially for high performers with ADHD—and how to start rebuilding with strategies around initiation and planning.



Today, we’re going to cover four more executive function areas where things often break down: organization, working memory, time management, and emotional regulation.



What does it really mean to be organized with ADHD?



[01:19]



So let’s get into it. Let’s shift to organization. And just to be clear, I’m not talking about Instagram-worthy pantries or color-coded folders. What I mean is simple: being able to find what you need, when you need it—consistently.



So let’s take email as an example.



If your inbox feels like a disaster zone, you might think it’s because you’re not organized enough. But the real issue often isn’t how you organize your inbox—it’s not having a process that works for you around when to check it and how to make decisions about each message.



Because let’s be honest: one of the biggest barriers to email isn’t the volume—it’s the decision fatigue.



You open your inbox, see a message, and think,“Oh, I’ll deal with that later.”Not because you’re careless, but because your brain is already juggling so much, and pausing to decide what to do with each email can feel like just too much to do.



Why do emails and small admin tasks pile up?



[02:28]



So what happens? You skim for the urgent stuff and the rest piles up for—yes—later. But “later” never really comes, because what you really mean is just “not now.”