How many unfinished projects do you have on the go?
Unfinished projects can be a major source of clutter, and those of us with ADHD brains can be particularly susceptible to them.
In this post you’ll see why you may have the clutter of unfinished projects, and what you can do about it.
The problem with unfinished projects is that they are often left out, to be worked on, which causes mess and clutter. Or if they are put away they take up valuable storage space so other things may end up being left out.
And if they are stored they may be forgotten about. They can also cause us feelings of guilt and frustration, as they are a constant reminder of something we set out to do but failed to complete.
Unfinished projects are definitely my clutter Achilles heel.
I used to have so many things on the go at the same time. I’ve trained myself to be better, but I must confess, it can still be an issue.
I’ll often jump into what seems like a good idea, do the bulk of the work, and then allow it to slide down the list of priorities till it’s almost forgotten about.
This might be a DIY project, like tiling a kitchen backsplash. I’ll start out with good intentions (doing it myself to save money, I have the skills, I have the tools etc.) but the task never becomes the most important priority at a given moment. There is always something more important to do.
So I end up with a stack of tiles and a bucket of tile adhesive sitting in the kitchen for months.
Or it could be driven by a need. I’m looking at you, pile of clothes that need mending.
And sometimes it comes from distraction. Like the stack of books I took out to sort through and forgot to finish.
It’s perfectly normal to start a task with enthusiasm, only to flag halfway through. But this happens even more often for those of us who are easily distractible or ADHD.
Why Might ADHD Lead to Unfinished Project Clutter?
#1 Problems getting started
We may have a simply brilliant idea and rush out to buy the tools and materials for it. Like me with my tiling project. But the reality of actually doing the work may be less attractive than our vision of the end product. Other tasks seem more important, or we can struggle to plan out and sequence the process, putting us off from starting in the first place.
#2 Distractability leads to unfinished projects
To stay on task, our brains need to filter out all the things around us that are not part of the task. Like a barking dog, a child calling for attention, the ping of an email, the letter that lands on the mat, the growl of a hungry tummy etc.
And whilst we are filtering these things out, we are all good, we are on task.
But focussing for a prolonged period of time takes effort. And at some point we get tired and our attention starts to wander.
That’s when we notice the distractions, and they can take us off course. And with poor working memory, we may lose track of what we were doing, to begin with.
#3 Flagging stamina leads to unfinished projects
“Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms associated with ADHD — and one of the least talked about.”
Our brains use 20% of our energy. Thinking is hard work! Staying on task and switching between tasks both require mental energy and if these processes are hard for us they can drain us quickly.
According to Dr Steve Copps, we have to “work twice as hard for half as much.”
So we may simply run out of energy before completing our task.
#4 Lack of a deadline
I am very conscientious and reliable when doing projects for someone else. I know that I have someone to be accountable to. But when it comes to doing projects for myself, there is no deadline or accountability. And because there is no defined endpoint, the task keeps getting put off.
Can you relate?
ADHD brains need external motivation and deadlines to help us get things finished. We are great at last-minute sprints.
#5 Problems with comprehending time
A very common issue with ADHD is time blindness. We simply do not perceive time the same way that neurotypicals do. This makes it very hard to estimate how long a task will take. And it can lead to us taking on things that are unrealistic to do in the time we have available.
So Now You Understand Why You Might Have Unfinished Projects, Let’s Take a Look at What to do About Them.
What’s the problem with unfinished projects?
The problem with unfinished projects is that they create a visual “to do” list. We see all these things that need to get done, which can distract us from focussing on what we should be doing at a given moment.
Or they could be stressing us out, making us feel inadequate for failing to finish these projects.
And they simply clutter up our homes, taking up mental and physical space.
Do Unfinished Projects Actually Have to Get Done?
Productivity advice for neurotypicals usually focuses on strategies for getting things done.
In fact, even though blogs aimed at ADHD brains may describe the problem, any solutions simply focus on how to get the tasks done.
And if you do a Google search on unfinished projects, you will bring up loads of productivity tips for getting them done.
Now, this is great advice for the tasks that we really need to complete.
And for getting things done, check out this post: Hack Your Habits For a Clutter-Free Home.
But it doesn’t address the real issue.
What if you shouldn’t actually be getting these things done at all?
An ADHD superpower is generating ideas and seeing potential.
Starting a project gives us the dopamine hit of doing something novel. But it also allows us to reality test the idea and figure out if it is worth pursuing further.
And actually, many of those unfinished projects may simply be ideas that are not worth taking through to completion.
So instead of beating yourself up about not finishing them, consider, are they actually worth finishing? They may not be.
And if not, give yourself permission to abandon them.
Before Attempting to Finish Your Unfinished Projects do This.
Action Plan:
- Grab a clipboard and take a tour of your house. Make a list of all the unfinished projects you find.
2. Now cross off any that don’t need to be done at all.
3. Also, cross off any that are not essential and you don’t really want to do any more.
4. Highlight in red any that need to be done but can be delegated to someone else (a cleaner, a tradesperson, a repair shop etc.)
5. Next, pick a colour and highlight any that can be done in 10 minutes or less.
If there are only one or two of these, do them right away. If there are lots, pick a daily time that works for you and set an alarm to remind you to do them. By tackling one a day you’ll quickly clear out these small projects and the associated clutter.
6. Now take a different highlighter, and highlight up to three bigger projects that you really want to do and commit to doing within the next 30 days.
7. Make a note in your diary, set an alarm, or get someone reliable to check in with you in 30 days to follow up on the projects that you highlighted to do.
8. For all the projects that you have crossed out, see if you can sell, donate or throw away the project materials.
9. Repeat this exercise monthly and you will soon blast through the clutter of unfinished projects.
Conclusion: Eliminate the Clutter of Unfinished Projects
Now that you understand how your ADHD could be leading to the clutter of unfinished projects you are in a better position to prevent it.
So if you are struggling with clutter, take a good look around to assess whether unfinished projects are to blame.
If there are a lot of unfinished projects, use the tips above to eliminate or blast through them.
And armed with this knowledge, you should be in a better position to avoid taking on more than you can handle.
To eliminate the clutter in your home, make sure you grab my handy clutter checklist here.
And sign up for my newsletter, in which you get a weekly declutter challenge.
