Many individuals with ADHD and hoarding tendencies experience low dopamine levels, a neurotransmitter critical for regulating mood, focus, and behavior. This often leads to impulsive, addictive behaviors, such as the urge to acquire new things. The excitement of purchasing or obtaining items creates a dopamine boost, but this short-term thrill often overshadows the long-term challenges of managing possessions.
Advertising skillfully exploits these tendencies by promising happiness, fulfillment, or success through product ownership. Whether it’s free items, sale deals, or full-priced goods, the excitement of acquiring something new—or new to you—is amplified by ADHD-related executive functioning challenges, often leading to holding onto items based on a misguided perception of their present and future value. Marketing strategies create a false association between owning more and being happier, often triggering feelings of regret and overwhelm once the thrill subsides.
A similar pattern occurs with New Year’s resolutions. The excitement of starting fresh is initially motivating, but setbacks can quickly lead to frustration, disappointment, and giving up. It is possible to retrain your brain to resist impulsive urges and create sustainable habits by implementing ADHD friendly organizing tips, habit-stacking, and focusing on healthy lifestyle changes.
To stay focused while shopping or organizing, aim to replace rather than accumulate by only purchasing new items to replace those that are worn out or used up. Set a clear budget to prevent unnecessary spending and stay within your financial limits. Regularly take inventory of what you already own to avoid duplicates and ensure everything is organized and easily accessible. Lastly, prioritize storage by only buying items that have a designated place in your home, helping you maintain an organized and clutter-free space.
Retraining your brain allows you to enjoy the beauty of stores and displays without feeling the need to buy. Similarly, you can create an inviting, organized home where everything is easy to find, accessible, and visually pleasing.
A very effective strategy is habit stacking – linking a new habit to an existing routine. For example, while making your morning coffee, spend five minutes decluttering the kitchen counter. Afterward, reward yourself by enjoying your coffee and admiring your visually appealing kitchen. This technique leverages familiar actions as cues, building positive reinforcement and resilience over time.
The UK’s ADHD Centre provides an excellent guide, “How To Enhance Dopamine Levels with ADHD,” detailing lifestyle changes to boost dopamine naturally. To read more visit this link: https://www.adhdcentre.co.uk/how-to-enhance-dopamine-levels-with-adhd/. For deeper insight into consumer behavior and its impact, watch Netflix’s documentary, “Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy.” Visit https://www.netflix.com/ca.
By implementing small, mindful changes, you can build healthier habits, boost dopamine naturally, and break free from the cycle of impulsive acquiring.
Trained Professional Organizer & ADHD Specialist 