LEGO OF ADHD OVERWHELM
- Cory Henderson
- May 1
- 2 min read
Updated: May 9
How sorting Legos helped me calm my feelings of overwhelm
My mother was perhaps a bit overprotective of me and my siblings as a child. She did what she believed she needed to do to protect my childhood. No matter the mess we left behind when we went off to school, we returned to spruced-up beds and spotlessly cleaned rooms. The ADHD induced chaos I left behind was magically transformed. Coming home to a room free of clutter was so peaceful – I loved it! Her theory was simple, school was our responsibility, cleaning the house was hers. She wanted us to excel and gave us every opportunity to do so.
Other than weekends and when school was out for the summer, the one exception was the responsibility to pick up our toys. Mom had the philosophy, “You got them out, you can put them away.” I didn’t have any difficulty with skates, balls, and bats – it was the jacks, marbles, Lincoln Logs, and jigsaw puzzles all mixed together on the floor that threw my ADHD into overdrive. Where to begin? That’s how I defined overwhelm?
ADHD Overwhelm
When my five boys were growing up, Lincoln Logs and puzzles were replaced with Legos of all shapes, colors and sizes – they felt like the perpetual enemy of my desire to have a clutter-free home. Clutter, chaos and overwhelm flew at me with a little added anxiety -- like the cherry atop a sundae. I confess, many times a few Legos came up missing -- placed in the garbage when no one was looking. Ah, the relief! Then came birthdays and other holidays -- Legos multiplied like rabbits, along with clutter, chaos, overwhelm and anxiety.
How to Beat ADHD Overwhelm
My boys loved Lego’s and despite my hang-up, I loved watching their imaginations grow. As grandkids arrived, I knew I had to figure a way to help them rather than watch them struggle with where to begin like I had as a child. I sat down on the floor with them and gave this simplified instruction, “Go pick up all the green Legos and put them in this bin.” When finished with that task I said, “Now gather the red ones.” You get the gist. Out of chaos there was a place to start and bit by bit overwhelm disappeared altogether.
I offer this analogy to my ADHD clients and anyone suffering from a feeling of overwhelm.
Break down what you see as chaos. There’s always a way to find an easier, simplified beginning. If taken in bite size chunks what seemed impossible is readily overcome.
Sign up for a free 30 minute consultation to explore ADHD Coaching with Cory here
Additional Tips on overcoming overwhelm - "Bringing Calm and Stability" -- ADDITUDE Magazine
