Have you ever looked around and felt overwhelmed by a sea of half-finished projects, abandoned hobbies, and good intentions gathering dust?
If you have ADHD — or just a wonderfully busy creative mind — you’re not alone.
I recently read a brilliant article by ADDitude Magazine titled “Too Many Unfinished Projects: ADHD’s Clutter Problem”, and it really resonated. It explains why so many of us start things with huge energy, only to leave them behind halfway — and more importantly, what we can do to break the cycle.
Here are my Top 3 Takeaways from this fascinating read:
1. Starting Feels Good — Finishing Feels Far Away
People with ADHD often get a dopamine hit at the start of something new — the excitement, the ideas, the rush of possibility.
But once the novelty wears off or the task becomes complicated, that natural energy can dip.
Without strategies in place, projects can pile up and feel overwhelming, creating clutter not just in our homes but in our minds.
ETCH Tip: Recognise that this pattern isn’t laziness — it’s a brain wiring difference. Building small, structured habits around completion can transform your success rate!
2. Emotional Attachments to Stuff Can Weigh Us Down
Unfinished projects aren’t just things — they often carry emotions:
• Guilt (“I should finish that…”)
• Shame (“Why can’t I get it together?”)
• Grief (“I used to love doing that…”)
The clutter becomes a silent emotional soundtrack that plays on loop, draining energy and confidence.
ETCH Tip: Be compassionate with yourself. Letting go of an unfinished project can be a powerful act of self-care and clarity, not failure.
3. Progress — Not Perfection — Is the Goal
One of the most empowering messages from the article: It’s not about clearing 100% of projects or clutter overnight.
Tiny steps forward build momentum. Progress builds pride.
Perfection isn’t the destination — momentum is.
ETCH Tip: Celebrate every single win. Finished one old task today? Amazing. That’s how mastery is built.
Feeling Inspired?
If you’re ready to break free from overwhelm, reclaim your mental clarity, and actually finish the projects that matter most to you — whether you’re an executive, an entrepreneur, an athlete, or an everyday powerhouse — ETCH can help you Elevate.
Through personalised coaching, hypnosis, and powerful neuro-based strategies, we help you unlock your focus, flow, and follow-through.
You deserve to feel proud of what you start — and what you finish.
If this type of content is for you, I’ve been enjoying TikToks by @Christinewrutzen where she posts footage titled “how long did it actually take?” — about tasks she has been procrastinating over. See her work here - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNd27qPTW/
So now that you have a flavour for the direction of my algorithm, I’d also like to share this with you - @MIA DHD has compiled some tips for living with ADHD and they are great! Find her here: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNd2TApVA/
And of course, a nod always to @adhd_love_ who not only post cracking neurodivergent supportive content but created the Dubbii app which enables users to complete tasks with other users as body doubles. There will be more on the practice of body doubling soon…
Ready to Elevate?
Book your free discovery call today: hello@etchukltd.com
Credit:
Original article by Melissa Orlov for ADDitude Magazine — “Too Many Unfinished Projects: ADHD’s Clutter Problem”.
