Love Your Space: Valentine’s Decluttering Tips for ADHD Unicorns

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Love Your Space: Valentine’s Decluttering Tips for ADHD Unicorns

8 February 2025

Valentine’s Day is shimmering on the horizon, dear unicorns, and whether you’re fabulously single or cozied up with a partner, there’s no better time to love on your home! With ADHD galloping through our lively minds, a neat and nurturing space can be a total game-changer. While traditional Valentine’s celebrations often center on roses and chocolates, let’s harness this season of love to create a sanctuary that dazzles. After all, self-love (and shared love!) starts with feeling supported by our environment.

Step 1: Begin with a Grand Dose of Self-Love

Before you pick up a single item, pause. Breathe in the moment and honour the fact that you are a rare and remarkable unicorn, complete with your own unique quirks and sparkles. Self-love is the foundation of any transformation — especially for us neurodivergent folks.

Set the Mood: Picture this: a scented candle lit in the corner, soft tunes playing in the background, and a cosy cup of tea steaming away. This gentle atmosphere can soothe your ADHD brain and ease you into decluttering mode. By engaging your senses, you ground yourself in the present, making it easier to stay on task (Brown, T. E. [2013]. A New Understanding of ADHD in Children and Adults).
Affirm Your Worth: Embrace affirmations like, “I’m deserving of a home that reflects my brilliance” or “Every little step clears space for more self-love.” Saying these phrases out loud might feel silly, but research shows positive self-talk can be quite powerful for those of us with ADHD (Hallowell, E. M., & Ratey, J. J. [2010]. Driven to Distraction).
Segment the Task: Instead of charging head-on into the chaos, pick one small area to tackle. It could be as simple as your bedside table or the chair in the corner you never sit in because it’s become a storage spot. Breaking tasks into bite-sized portions is a well-known strategy in ADHD management.

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Step 2: Valentine’s Focus — Heartfelt Decluttering

Now, harness the spirit of Valentine’s Day! Imagine sprinkling rose petals all over your space. Though that might be messy in real life, let the imagery guide you into identifying what genuinely fills your heart with warmth versus what’s just there, gathering dust.

Bedroom Bliss:
- A clutter-free nightstand is the ultimate invitation to sweet dreams. Let go of the randomly accumulated bites that some how made it upstairs, old receipts, three half drank mugs and half-empty water bottles.
- Closet chaos, be gone! Single out clothes that don’t fit your style or body anymore. Marie Kondo’s popular advice — to only keep items that spark joy — works wonders for ADHD unicorns, too (Kondo, M. [2014]. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up).
Living Room Love:
- The living room is often a vortex of everything, from random mail to leftover snacks. Sweep away the rubble and add a personal touch: maybe a small framed photo that makes your heart flutter. I love a container that is a home for the things I like to use in the living room e.g. contains two books im reading currently, colouring book and some figit toys.
- Carve out a “love corner” with a plush cushion, candle, or even a whimsical unicorn figurine. Keep the space free of clutter so it remains a visual reminder to slow down and soak in positive vibes. A treat area that allows you to remember how amazing you are!
Kitchen Comfort:
- A quick rummage through the fridge and pantry can reveal expired ingredients and random sauces you forgot existed. Toss them without remorse — your future self (and stomach) will thank you. I also use a box in my cupboard labelled 'use next' these are things I may not buy again or close to expiry so I know what I need to make into a meal and helps me when im setting up a plan for the next few days!
- Clear counters give us a visual and mental sigh of relief. A bright plant or decorative dish can elevate the entire kitchen’s mood, encouraging you to whip up yummy meals instead of feeling overwhelmed.

Step 3: If You’re Single, This One’s for You!

Solo unicorns, unite! Valentine’s Day can be a powerful reminder to lavish love and attention on yourself.

Create a Sanctuary of Self-Care: Maybe you have a reading nook or a window seat that’s calling your name. Dress it up with fairy lights, add a fuzzy blanket, and keep your favorite book within arm’s reach. This mini retreat can help calm a racing ADHD mind (Barkley, R. A. [2012]. Executive Functions: What They Are, How They Work, and Why They Evolved).
Shower Yourself with Kindness: As you declutter your bedside table or a single drawer, sneak in a sweet note of encouragement. Think of it as an Easter egg for your future self! This little self-kindness can brighten even the busiest day.
Donate and Celebrate: If you come across items that no longer serve you (an old sweater, a dusty knickknack), let them go. Donate these gently used goods, then reward yourself (guilt-free!) with something that lifts your spirits — maybe a fresh bouquet of flowers or a puzzle that intrigues your curious ADHD mind.

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Step 4: For the Unicorns in Couples

Calling all attached unicorns — decluttering can be a heartfelt activity to bond with your partner.

Teamwork Magic: Choose a shared area that’s been bugging both of you. It might be that messy coffee table brimming with unopened mail or the bedroom floor with laundry that’s never-ending. Put on some playful music, prepare snacks, and tackle it together.
Memory Lane: Going through old photos and cherished mementos can be an emotional roller coaster, but it’s also a splendid way to reconnect. Chat about the stories behind each item, deciding as a duo what to keep.
Little Surprises: Pick a space your partner cares about but struggles to maintain. Declutter it as a thoughtful gesture, leaving behind a note like, “Did this because you spark my joy!” Small acts of service can mean a lot on a day dedicated to love.

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Step 5: Keeping Your Sparkle Alive

Decluttering once is magical, but staying that way takes a bit of unicorn perseverance.

Daily 10-Minute Tidy: Devote 10 minutes each day to a quick cleanup. ADHD experts like to call it “body doubling,” too — where you and a friend (or partner) tidy up over a video call, cheering each other on (Hallowell, E. M., & Ratey, J. J. [2010]. Driven to Distraction). This practice helps keep daily mess under control.
Conscious Acquisitions: Resist the urge to buy impulsively. Ask, “Does this item genuinely add love or function to my world?” If not, politely decline.
Capture Progress: Snap a before-and-after of your freshly decluttered zones. This visual pat on the back serves as a confidence booster for next time.

Embrace the Magic

Valentine’s Day is more than just candy hearts and dinner reservations — it’s an invitation to treat your domain (and yourself) with kindness. When you, brilliant unicorn, take the initiative to create a serene and supportive space, you nurture your emotional well-being. Whether you’re single and celebrating the beauty of independence or in a couple and weaving your lives closer together, a decluttered environment can help reduce the noise in your ADHD mind.

Remember: This journey isn’t about becoming a minimalist overnight or attaining a Pinterest-perfect home. It’s about cherishing yourself enough to let go of what doesn’t serve you, giving you more space to welcome all that does. This isnt about other people's need its about your own needs!

So, dear unicorn, which nook or cranny will you charm first this Valentine’s season? Your bedroom closet? That kitchen counter? Or perhaps the living room sofa that’s lost under throw pillows and random items? Let us know in the comments below so we can sprinkle some extra cheer on your progress.

“The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life.” said by Marie Kondo. As you weed out the clutter, you make room for fresh energy, spontaneous romance (even if it’s just romance with yourself!), and a renewed sense of confidence.

Keep shining, keep believing in your magic, and know that every discarded item is a step closer to a home — and heart — filled with love. You’ve got this, unicorn. Happy Valentine’s decluttering!

References

Barkley, R. A. (2012). Executive Functions: What They Are, How They Work, and Why They Evolved. Guilford Press.
Brown, T. E. (2013). A New Understanding of ADHD in Children and Adults. Routledge.
Hallowell, E. M., & Ratey, J. J. (2010). Driven to Distraction. Anchor.
Kondo, M. (2014). The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Ten Speed Press.

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