Doom piles don’t have to spell doom

Have you ever shifted a jumble of papers to the nearest chair “just for now” only to find a week later the chair has vanished under a mini mountain?

That is a DOOM pile in action.

The name stands for “Didn’t Organise, Only Moved” and it perfectly captures the quick-fix habit of relocating stuff instead of putting it away.

At first the trick offers a hit of relief. Soon it steals your focus, time and headspace.

This post unpacks why doom piles are common for many of us but particularly for ADHD minds, how they crop up, the warning signs they trigger and practical ways to stop them dominating your day.

What exactly is a DOOM pile?

A doom pile is any stash of mixed-up items parked out of the way with the intention of sorting later. The pile can be physical – a box, bag, drawer or whole room – or digital – a “Sort Later” folder on your desktop. Size and setting vary yet the pattern is the same: when deadlines loom or energy dips you move the clutter instead of organising it. The pile grows quietly until it feels too daunting to face.

Why ADHD brains create them

People of all neurotypes pile clutter, yet studies show adults with ADHD are three times more likely to struggle with chronic clutter. Several traits play a part:

• Executive function gaps – planning and sequencing tasks takes extra effort so “file the receipt now” slips down the list.

• Working-memory overload – it is easier to see papers than remember where they belong. Visibility feels safer.

• Decision fatigue – choosing keep, recycle, scan, shred for every slip drains mental fuel.

• Dopamine seeking – repetitive organising offers little instant reward so the brain hunts for something more stimulating.

• Time blindness – “I’ll deal with it later” feels sensible until later turns into next month.

Recognising these patterns is not an admission of defeat. It simply shows the system you inherited was never built for the way your brain fires. Let’s build one that is.

How doom piles materialise

You will spot the theme: moving, not sorting.

The impact: symptoms to watch

• Visual noise – every glance at the pile reminds you of unfinished work raising anxiety.

• Lost hours – hunting for a document eats precious focus time.

• Shame spiral – repeated “I should have sorted that” fuels rejection sensitivity.

• Task paralysis – the larger the mound the harder it is to start.

• Decision bottleneck – clutter blocks quick choices keeping projects on hold.

Seven ways to work with – and beat – DOOM piles

Choose the tactics that fit your brain and space.

Look for progress. not perfection!

1. Name one pile
   Stick a post-it on the biggest mound:

   Friday 15-minute sort. Labelling turns an amorphous

   heap into a specific task.

2. Shrink the battlefield
   Tip everything into a tray no bigger than a laptop. A fixed container stops spread and gives a clear finish line.

3. Set a timer for micro-bursts
   Work in 15- or 25-minute sprints. When the bell rings step away or switch tasks. Short bursts prevent overwhelm and keep dopamine flowing.

4. Sort with three categories only
   Keep, Action, Goodbye. No “misc”. Tough love simplifies decisions and stops re-categorising loops.

5. Give every keeper a home
   The moment you save an item assign its permanent spot. Use labels or clear boxes so your future self can find it fast.

6. Schedule a “pile patrol”
   Block 10 minutes every Friday to empty the tray. Recurring appointments externalise time and cut last-minute panics.

7. Body-double for accountability
   Invite a friend on Zoom or book a session with an ADHD-savvy virtual assistant. Working side by side keeps you on task and makes sorting less lonely.

Can DOOM piles ever help?

A temporary holding box for keys or receipts can streamline life, provided it empties on a schedule.

The moment the container overflows or the deadline lapses it shifts from tool to trap.

Use the pile as a short-term waypoint then clear it before Sunday night.

Are you ready to turn your DOOM pile into a DONE pile?

Imagine sitting down on Monday to a desk that shows only the project you want to tackle. No hidden stacks. No mystery bags. Just clear space and a calm brain ready to succeed.

If that feels remote, it does not have to stay that way.

I help business owners with ADHD build simple, repeatable systems so they can focus on product development and client work rather than chasing papers.

Book a free 15 minute call to discover how a few tailored tweaks will reclaim your time and energy.