does anyone else swing between ‘super organised’ phases and absolute chaos?

That swing you’re describing is something I see all the time. It’s not just you imagining this piece. A lot of adults with ADHD seem to move in cycles. There’s a burst of motivation or urgency, maybe after things feel overwhelming, and suddenly you reorganize everything. New system, fresh planner, clean house. It feels amazing for a few days. Then the novelty fades, energy dips, or life gets busy, and the structure collapses. That doesn’t mean you’re lazy or incapable. It’s often a mix of dopamine and sustainability. The “super organized” phase is usually fuelled by intensity. It’s stimulating. The maintenance phase is quieter and more repetitive, which is harder for ADHD brains to stick with long term. There’s also an emotional piece. Sometimes the organized phase is a reaction to shame or stress. You’re trying to regain control quickly. But systems built in a rush are often too ambitious to maintain. Clinically, I don’t see this as overcompensation in a negative way. I see it as a brain that thrives on bursts and struggles with steady pacing. The goal isn’t to eliminate the organized phase. It’s to design systems that survive the low energy weeks. That usually means smaller systems, fewer rules, and accepting “good enough” rather than perfect. If something only works when you’re at peak motivation, it’s probably too complex. If this cycle keeps exhausting you, it’s worth unpacking properly. Once people understand their activation pattern, we can build structure that bends instead of breaks. And that tends to feel a lot more stable and supportive. So, when you first notice this, it's often about putting in the effort to establish these supports and get the right systems in place for you.