Episode 287: Cleaning for Mental Health: Sarah McGlory’s Adaptive Approach to Chronic Pain

Imagine homeschooling five kids, battling chronic pain, and navigating life with ADHD-all during a pandemic. That's the incredible journey of our guest, Sarah McGlory. After years of dismissal by doctors, she finally received an ADHD diagnosis in her 40s, bringing much-needed validation. Her story is one of resilience and innovation.
Sarah's ingenuity shines through in her creation of the Adaptive Cleaning system. Born out of necessity, this system helps manage a household without succumbing to unrealistic standards of perfection. In this episode, you'll uncover the emotional toll of "cleaning trauma" and the societal pressures, especially on women, to maintain spotless homes. Sarah emphasizes the importance of rest and self-compassion, supported by practical tools like physical planners and weekly cleaning plans.
Sarah is a digital entrepreneur working from home while caring for five kids, aged 3 to 13, and a 24-year-old who has moved out. She once felt like a failure because her home was always in disarray. Comparing herself to social media cleaning gurus with "endless energy" and "perfect homes" only made things worse. With chronic pain and mismatched furniture, Sarah knew she needed a different approach.
Her Adaptive Cleaning system aligns with her time and energy needs, helping her stay organized without spending hours cleaning. Now, Sarah has almost a million followers on TikTok, where she teaches others how to achieve the same balance.
Sarah's passion for visual storytelling and content creation intersects with her ADHD, allowing her to help others stay organized without feeling overwhelmed. Her system thrives on realistic, manageable tasks that align with daily capacities, offering a practical approach to a cleaner home and a calmer mind.
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Resources:
Website: www.sarahmcglory.com/
Instagram: / sarahmcglory
Tiktok: / sarahmcglory
UA-cam: / @sarahmcgloryhome
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[@sarajoy6748]

Thank you, thank you thank you for this episode.
I am feeling so validated in my past and my present experience.
It’s a daily battle for me against my family. I need my surroundings to be without clutter and mess. I cannot think I cannot do many tasks until the environment is addressed. My family could give a rats booty about our home, environment. Our home is highly neurodivergent and they grew up in a single parent home with a mental illness who couldn’t clean and wouldn’t clean.
I fantasize about living alone and not having to clean up constantly after other people. Sarah, thank you for sharing also thank you Tracy for touching on the subject. ❤

[@yvonnehamrick9168]

Sarah is one of my favorite people, and makes me feel soooo SEEN and understood. Thanks so much for having her on!!!

[@tracyotsuka4796]

I'm so glad you feel that way about Sarah! It means a lot to hear that she makes you feel seen and understood. Thank you for watching!

[@karencollett1773]

you're describing my life!

[@tracyotsuka4796]

I'm happy to hear that! It's always my goal to discuss things that people can relate to. Thanks for watching!