Spring Cleaning: Decluttering Your Space & Your Relationships as the ADHD Scapegoat
Apr 17, 2025
Discover why organizing can feel impossible when you have an ADHD brain, affected by past trauma. Learn practical decluttering strategies like the "One-Touch Rule" to tackle the overload. Dive into the emotional side, recognizing toxic relationships and the importance of setting boundaries. Gain insights into evaluating which connections lift you up versus drain your energy. Let go of guilt and understand when to prioritize your mental health by walking away from harmful dynamics. Experience growth through the transformative power of decluttering your spaces and relationships.
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Angie's Therapeutic Cleaning Story
Angie shares how cleaning was therapeutic for her as a child scapegoat with ADHD.
She developed OCD through cleaning but found clutter-free spaces emotionally refreshing.
insights INSIGHT
ADHD and Object Permanence
ADHD brains struggle with clutter due to object permanence and working memory challenges.
Items out of sight are easily forgotten, making organization difficult.
insights INSIGHT
Decision Fatigue Hinders Cleanup
Decision fatigue and overwhelm cause ADHDers to struggle with organization.
They find it hard to pause or half-ass tasks, needing full focus or stopping due to external demands.
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Ever wonder why keeping spaces tidy feels like a constant battle with an ADHD brain? Or why letting go of draining relationships feels impossibly hard, even when you know they're toxic? This episode dives deep into the connections between ADHD, past trauma (like being scapegoated), and the clutter that accumulates in our lives – both tangible and intangible.In this episode, you'll explore:🧠 ADHD & Physical Clutter: Why object permanence ("out of sight, out of mind"), decision fatigue, overwhelm, and emotional attachment make organization challenging.💡 Practical Decluttering Strategies: Actionable tips like the "One-Touch Rule," sorting by category, using timers, the power of body doubling, and letting go of the "someday" mindset (inspired by The Home Edit!).❤️🩹 Emotional & Relationship Clutter: Recognizing the signs of toxic dynamics, scapegoating, and emotional abuse in relationships.🚧 Overcoming Barriers: Addressing the guilt, obligation, and fear that often accompany setting boundaries with difficult people.🔍 Identifying Draining vs. Supporting Relationships: Using self-reflection to understand how interactions truly affect your energy and well-being.🚶♀️ Giving Yourself Permission: Understanding when it's necessary to walk away (low contact/no contact) for your own mental health.🤝 Building Healthy Support: The crucial role of finding safe relationships and avoiding trauma-bonded patterns.🌱 Growth Through Decluttering: How clearing space physically and emotionally creates room for personal growth, healing, and building a life aligned with your values.🪜 Small Steps, Big Change: Why gradual progress is key for ADHD brains and trauma survivors to avoid overwhelm and regret.Whether you struggle with messy spaces, draining relationships, or both – especially if you identify with ADHD or have a history of being the family scapegoat – this episode offers validation, practical advice, and empowering insights to help you clear the clutter and make space for what truly matters.
ADHD Scapegoat Podcast 
