Hello, I also had a similar difficulty (or rather, I still have it if I don't manage it), (adding that I also have ADHD). I overcame these challenges by watching various YouTube videos. I wanted to make a small but important premise: before finding the method that worked for me, I made many mistakes and was very hard on myself. Be kind to yourself and try to see your mistakes as future "lessons on what to avoid."
Here are some of my old mistakes: I embraced minimalism because I was tired of seeing things around. I literally gave away almost everything! Why? Because I took literally what I saw in YouTube videos, without considering my lifestyle, my needs, and my passions. So, I highly recommend watching videos about decluttering and minimalism, but do it with a clear head: think about your interests, hobbies, and lifestyle (make a list or whatever you prefer). Otherwise, you might end up like me, imposing impossible rules that caused a lot of stress because I thought I had to conform to the rules of minimalism! It became an obsession. So, I find it to be a good method, but it should be done based on your specific needs. Don't literally follow YouTubers who travel with just a backpack or those with only a fork, spoon, and bowl. Maybe it works for them, but it doesn't work for me. I forced myself to make it work because I thought if I didn't follow the rules of minimalism, then I didn't belong. This was one of my biggest mistakes.
Now, I know that I have many hobbies. I enjoy them all, and I don't have to sacrifice what I love to fit into a method. The method should adapt to me. I play the piano, make candles, often play PlayStation, work with resin, enjoy renovating my house, and have 20 binders with all my other scientific interests. It's okay for me because every hobby adjusts to my moods and needs on that particular day.
People may say, "You can't be autistic if you have all these interests" or "You can't have ADHD; you're organized and stick to plans." Stereotypes. Everything around us is based on stereotypes and generalizations. I imagine the word stereotype as a box. These boxes are too small to contain the myriad facets and variables of the human being! Don't feel obligated to box yourself in just because you think that if you don't, you cease to belong to that box!
Often, we fear new beginnings and change. If you don't feel comfortable, you can use a stereotype box that you like as a base/template to add your own touch (without taking away from yourself to fit into the box). Or, if you feel up to it, create one from scratch. Do what aligns with your personal needs. (This applies to many other discussions).
Returning to the beginning: I start the list with advice I found in a video: "Don't put it down; put it back in its place" (use something? Don't put it down; put it back in its original place).
1. I use an organization app with visual timers called Tiimo.
2. I read a book about ADHD that advises creating a task priority category: (urgent, medium, to be done leisurely). It's called "THE ADULT ADHD TOOL KIT" by J. Russel Ramsay & Antony L. Rostain. It helped me from a psychological standpoint and assisted me in adjusting rigid methods I had imposed on myself.
3. I divided my day into minutes using a pie chart (to avoid saying I don't have time and to visualize better). I made a general pie chart with my typical day (with obligations, etc.) and cut out the remaining "dead time" where I could add cleaning/hobbies and rest, creating another pie chart.
4. There are days when motivation is lacking, so I created backup plans: study and alternate with video games (a kind of modified Pomodoro timer).
5. Motivation often lacks, so for each activity, I write down the task duration so I can't make objections.
6. It's crucial to have various plans for possible scenarios (at least you're not caught unprepared and panicked). For example, if there's an unexpected event, I write down when I could do this and that, considering the urgency of tasks.
7. I also buy because I'm extremely catastrophic. I accept it as my peculiarity, but I have to moderate myself. I imagine that living with an elderly person brings additional concerns, like thinking the worst and wanting the elderly person to have everything at hand in the worst cases/scenarios. It's a lovely thought. You probably need to understand at a deeper level the motivations that lead you to do this, and only then can you overcome it. (I hope I haven't offended or seemed tactless; it's a simple suggestion of how I would handle it, but everyone is different, so do what helps you the most).
8. Set decluttering days and the goal you want to achieve with that decluttering (e.g., I want to clear the first drawer of the desk). Add: I'll start with the paper, and then add whatever you want, as long as you have a starting point and an endpoint. For example, I'll start with the paper and finish when at least 50% of the drawer is empty, and I can use it for X reason. Having a purpose is the basis of every success. Without a purpose and the various steps to reach it, you can fall into overwhelm and, ultimately, frustration and self-blame. I hope I've been helpful.
And remember, this works for me, and I wanted to share it to give you an idea. P.S. (It's just another day, made important by our tradition as a people), but conventionally, I wish you a happy new year (more like a wish for you to achieve your goals and dreams, but I would have said it even if it were May 8th).
