I hate it when I lose things. It can cost time and even money when that critical item has somehow vanished into the multiverse. Keeping track of personal belongings can be a daily struggle for me. How about you? I’ve misplaced keys, wallets, important paper, etc so much so that it feels like a daily rite of passage. Add ADHD into the mix, and it can feel even worse. It’s like being on a roller coaster that you can’t get off of. Stuff just vanishes into thin air.

But we can do something about it. Here are my top three strategies to get off the roller coaster of losing things.

1. Use Bluetooth Trackers

I love Bluetooth trackers. If I put this small device on something and then lose it, I can just open my smart phone and check my tracker app to find it. Voila! No more scrambling for keys, wallets, laptops, or even my favorite remote controls. These trackers are simple to use. I put the app on my phone, I put the tracker on my most frequently lost items, and I can locate them easily.

My Top Picks:

• Tile Mate and Tile Pro: These trackers are great for finding things at home or the office. If your item is within Bluetooth range, you can use the Tile app to ring your items or see their last known location on a map. The Tile app can even make your phone ring when it’s on silent. [Amazon link]
• Apple AirTag: If you’re an Apple user, AirTags gives you precise location tracking using the Find My app. AirTags leverages Apple's vast network of devices to help locate your items even when they are out of Bluetooth range. AirTags can also play a sound to help you find your items more quickly. [Amazon link]

2. Create Designated Spaces

When I designate a specific place for something and I put it there every day, I’m much less likely to lose it. Easier said than done! Good news though. Some products make it easier to get into this habit. They help you group important items together in the same location, making it simple to find them and return them to their proper places.

My Top Pick:

• Entryway Organizers: Wall-mounted key holders, mail organizers, and coat racks provide a central location for daily essentials. One that I like is the West Elm entryway organizer. It combines useful features key hooks, a smart phone holder or mail holder, and coat hooks. This makes it easy for me to walk in the door and put these items all in the same location without having to think about it. [Amazon link]

3. Leverage Smart Home Devices

“Hey Alexa, I put my wallet on my nightstand.” Later that evening, when I’m starting to panic looking for my wallet, I can say, “Hey Alexa, where’s my wallet?” Instant relief. There’s a lot that smart home devices can do. They can enable you to keep track of items through voice commands. They can set reminders for you. They can create to-do lists. Once you get used to using Alexa in this way, it’s like you have an ongoing personal assistant for your daily routine.

My Top Picks:

• Amazon Echo (Alexa): Alexa can do all the things I just mentioned. In addition, you can integrate Alexa to control other devices like lights and thermostats, reducing the need to remember lots of tasks.​
• Google Nest Hub: This is similar to Alexa. Google Nest Hub provides voice and visual reminders. The visual display serves as an added layer of assistance as it can show you reminders and lists.

Final Thoughts

Losing things can be frustrating and cost time, but there are things you can do about it. These three strategies—using Bluetooth trackers, creating designated spaces, and using smart home devices—can significantly reduce the frustration and time lost from misplacing important items, even if you struggle with ADHD. They offer practical ways to cut down on losing things and improve your organization.

Here’s an added benefit. Investing in these products also may bring you more peace of mind, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.