Don’t Put It Down, Put It Away: A Love Letter to My ADHD Brain

MJ Wynn
Apr 4
3 min read

Updated: May 25

Listen babes, I get it. I, too, have confidently set my phone down somewhere only to find it three hours later in the fridge next to the oat milk (because obviously that's where it belongs 😅). We ADHD fam are vibing on our own frequency - one that's somehow both perfectly logical and completely chaotic at the same time.

You know that phrase "don't put it down, put it away"? It's supposed to be this life-changing mantra, but honestly, it hits about as different as someone saying "just sleep!" when you're three hours deep into a Wikipedia rabbit hole at 3 AM 🙃. But here's the thing though - the idea actually slaps. Because the moment I set something down without giving it a proper home, it straight up vanishes into the void of my apartment. Poof! 💨

The ADHD Object Black Hole™ 🌌

The struggle isn't just about putting things down (though babes, we do that with the enthusiasm of a toddler discovering gravity). It's that we're putting them down while our minds are running faster than our TikTok FYP after too much cold brew. ⚡️

Picture this: I promise myself I'll put my keys away in just a sec, but then—oh wait, those dishes are giving me the side-eye! And while dealing with that situation, I remember that text I ghosted last week (sorry not sorry), and reaching for my phone I notice my dying plant (we're both trying our best, honey), and hold up... wasn't I supposed to email someone? Next thing you know, my keys are chilling in the oven like they're at a spa day. 🔑🌱📱

Why "Put It Away" is Actually the Move 💫

Let's keep it real: our brains are basically running an endless music festival, complete with multiple stages and surprise guest appearances. The only way to avoid losing our stuff to the void is to create habits that are so automatic, they bypass our "ooh, shiny!" tendency completely. ✨

So when someone drops that "don't put it down, put it away" wisdom, I'm trying to receive it less as a personal attack and more as a survival guide from a fellow chaos coordinator. It's not about transforming into one of those perfectly organized humans (love them, but that's not our journey rn). It's about future me not having yet another meltdown when I'm already running late and can't find my wallet. Again. For the third time this week. 😮‍💨

Small Ways to Trick Your Brain into Compliance ✨

Create a Drop Zone: If you must put it down (because hello, we're human), have designated spots. Keys? That cute little bowl by the door. Phone? That one spot on your desk where the charging cable actually reaches. If it's consistently in the wrong place, at least you know where to look! 🎯
Talk Out Loud: "I am putting my phone on the bookshelf" might make you feel like you're starring in your own reality show, but guess what? Sometimes the most effective solutions are the most embarrassing ones. Own it! 🗣️
Dramatic Gestures: Make it memorable! Slam-dunk those keys into their bowl like you're winning the championship. Channel your inner sports star. (Still yelling "Kobe!" because legends never die) 🏀
Accept That You Will Still Lose Things, and That's Okay. Sometimes the ADHD gods demand a sacrifice. We're beautifully imperfect, and that's not just fine - it's part of our charm. 🙏

Look babes, we're not trying to become those perfectly organized productivity machines (sounds exhausting, honestly). But if "don't put it down, put it away" means I spend less time having existential crises over lost AirPods and more time actually living my best life?

Then yeah, I'm willing to give it a shot. Even if it means checking the fridge one more time before accepting that my phone has transcended to another dimension. 🌈

Stay wonderfully chaotic, stay magical, and may your lost items always find their way back to you (preferably before you buy replacements). ✨ And remember, you're absolutely crushing it, even if your keys are currently... somewhere in the twilight zone. 💖

🌷 Signed, MJ