In this episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro switches things up and sits in the guest seat as she’s interviewed by her longtime friend Lynn.

With National Organizing Month as the backdrop, this conversation explores the powerful intersection between ADHD and organizing, especially when it comes to downsizing, decluttering, and navigating a lifetime of belongings.

Jami shares her personal experiences, professional insights, and practical strategies for making organizing more manageable, not by forcing perfection, but by working with the ADHD brain instead of against it.

What You’ll Learn

• The difference between organizing, decluttering, downsizing, and “right-sizing”
• Why traditional organizing methods often don’t work for ADHD brains
• How “out of sight, out of mind” impacts clutter and decision-making
• Why decluttering must come before organizing
• The concept of “DOOM piles” (Didn’t Organize, Only Moved)
• How to use constraints and systems to reduce overwhelm
• Why labeling and visibility can make a big difference
• How to make organizing more engaging through gamification and creativity
• The emotional side of clutter, including shame, avoidance, and overwhelm
• How ADHD shows up differently than hoarding disorder

Why This Matters

For many adults, especially those diagnosed later in life, clutter isn’t about laziness or lack of effort. It’s about how the ADHD brain processes decisions, attention, and follow-through.

Understanding this can shift the narrative from frustration to clarity and help create systems that actually work.

About the Host

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, and founder of Silver Linings Transitions. Through her podcast Grandma Has ADHD, she brings awareness to ADHD in older adults, especially women, helping listeners better understand their brains and navigate life with more clarity and compassion.

Resources

Silver Linings Transitions

National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers (NASMM): https://www.nasmm.org

Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD)
This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro

Watch Jami tour her mom’s home and talk about clutter, ADHD, and how it differs from hoarding disorder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hrfn_szhqo 

Links & Support

Website: https://www.jamishapiro.me

Silver Linings Transitions: Support for downsizing, organizing, and life transitions

Book: This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro

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Thank you for joining us for this episode of Grandma Has ADHD! We hope Jami's journey and insights into ADHD shed light on the unique challenges faced by older adults. Stay tuned for more episodes where we’ll explore helpful resources, share personal stories, and provide guidance for those navigating ADHD. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends who might benefit. Remember, Make the rest of your life the best of your life.

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