The stress of moving house when you have ADHD

I loved chatting with the brilliant Emma Sails recently as a contributor to her upcoming book all about ADHD and moving house. It’s a topic that doesn’t get talked about enough, despite being one of the most stressful life events – and even more so when you're neurodivergent.

Moving house is intense and overwhelming for anyone, but when you live with ADHD, it’s a whole different experience. It’s not just about packing boxes or setting up utilities. It’s about navigating decision fatigue, executive function challenges, emotional upheaval, and the disruption of any kind of routine. What might seem like a straightforward process for others can feel completely unmanageable when your brain is already overloaded.

And for many of us, it’s not just our own ADHD to consider. In my case, I’m supporting two neurodivergent teenagers while also running a business, solo parenting during the week, keeping up with housework, and managing the joys of perimenopause. The mental load is huge, and moving throws everything up into the air.

ADHD brains often rely on structure and predictability to function well. So, when a move disrupts that, new environments, new sensory input, new tasks and deadlines, it can lead to high levels of stress and emotional dysregulation. The phrase “just get it done” doesn’t account for the neurological differences that make planning and task-switching so difficult.

It’s easy to internalise the idea that we’re just disorganised or not coping well enough, but the truth is, our brains are wired differently. There are valid reasons why transitions like this hit us so hard, and that includes the emotional impact, not just the practical one.

If you are neurodivergent and moving house, or supporting someone who is, I want to remind you that your experience is valid. You're not lazy, you're not chaotic, you're doing your best in a system that wasn’t built with your brain in mind.

I’m so looking forward to seeing Emma’s book when it comes out, and I’m grateful to be part of a conversation that will resonate with so many others who’ve faced this same challenge.