Love, I’m writing this from a little slice of paradise—my favorite small beachside boutique hotel in Negril, Jamaica.
The waves are gently crashing, the breeze is warm, and for a moment, everything feels still.
And yet, even in this beautiful place, my mind drifts back home.
I miss my children, my routines, and—if I’m being honest—I feel that nagging guilt about stepping away from my responsibilities.
If you have ADHD, you know this feeling. The overwhelm.
The mental to-do list that never quiets. The guilt that creeps in when you take a break, even though you desperately need one.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
A calm home is a gift—to you and to your family.
You are at the center, the heart of your home. Your children will learn to love, nurture, and care like you do. You play a vital role in your home, shaping its culture.
The key to achieving your ideal home life isn’t perfection—it’s simple, repeatable systems that create clarity and ease in your space.
1. The 5-Minute Reset Rule
The goal isn’t to deep clean every day—it’s to prevent chaos from building up.
Pick a few key areas (the kitchen, the living room, your bedroom), set a timer for five minutes, and do a quick reset.
This small habit keeps things manageable and prevents the all-or-nothing cycle that leads to overwhelm.
2. Drop Zones for High-Traffic Items
ADHD brains thrive on visual cues. Designate specific drop zones for keys, backpacks, shoes, mail—whatever tends to pile up and cause stress.
Use baskets, hooks, or trays to create an easy system that everyone in your household can follow.
3. One-Touch Rule
Instead of putting something down “for now,” try handling it immediately.
Open the mail and file it, put dirty clothes directly in the hamper, return items to their homes after using them.
This small shift can reduce clutter dramatically.
If unopened mail overwhelms you, keep a shredding pile handy for unwanted offers and junk mail. It keeps paper clutter from stacking up and gives you peace of mind.
4. The “Good Enough” Cleaning Strategy
Trying to keep a Pinterest-perfect home will burn you out. Instead, focus on functional clean
Make a list of non-negotiables (clean dishes, clear counters, fresh laundry) and let go of the rest.
Progress is better than perfection.
For me, laundry is a struggle. I love washing clothes, but folding? Not so much. So, laundry piles up on the dining room table until it feels overwhelming.
Finding a system that works for you—whether it’s folding immediately or setting a specific day for it—can make all the difference.
5. A Weekly Declutter Ritual
Overwhelm thrives in clutter. Once a week, set aside 15 minutes for a “house refresh.”
Grab a bin, do a quick sweep of things that don’t belong, and either put them away, donate, or toss them.
Keeping this routine light and frequent prevents clutter from taking over.
6. A Visual Weekly Planner
ADHD minds struggle with keeping track of responsibilities, which often leads to stress and last-minute scrambling.
A simple wall calendar or whiteboard listing the family’s key tasks, events, and meals for the week can be a game-changer. It helps everyone stay on the same page, reducing decision fatigue and mental load.
Give Yourself Grace
Love, a calmer home isn’t about having it all together—it’s about finding what works for you. And if you need a reminder (just like I do right now), taking time for yourself isn’t selfish. It’s essential.
I’ve been learning this lesson the hard way lately. My teenage daughter started high school this year, and it’s been one challenge after another.
Academically, she’s always struggled, but when social issues started piling on, I made a big, impulsive decision—I switched her school district mid-year, thinking it would help.
Now, two months in, I’m questioning everything. She’s skipping class, getting detention, and making choices I just don’t understand.
The truth is, we can’t control everything.
We can set up the best systems, structure things as smoothly as possible, and still, life will throw us curveballs.
And that’s why grace matters. Grace for yourself, for your kids, for the messy, unpredictable reality of motherhood.
So let’s do this together: set up one simple system this week and see how it feels. Start small. Give yourself grace. And know that even when you step away, your home—and your heart—will still be waiting for you when you return.
Cordially sending you love from Negril,
Lynne
