Some Reasons Why People are Not as Organized as They Would Like to Be
There are many different reasons people struggle with staying organized. When I use the word “organized,” I refer to how people coordinate their time, money, scheduling, possessions, not just their living space.
Some of us have never been organized and may even feel uncomfortable without a bit of chaos and disorder. Or the people with great systems in place and enthusiastically use them for a while only to eventually drift back to their messy habits. Others are compulsive about everything being “in its place” (think of Felix Unger or Martha Stewart).
I believe there is a spectrum of organization, and every one of us falls somewhere on this spectrum. Our lifestyles are different – for instance, some of us work from home while others go to an office.
Our biochemical makeup and essential nature also determine where we are on a spectrum. What we learned growing up influences how we process. There are also situational factors that influence us, such as kids, pets, spouses, roommates, money, time, and physical health.
For instance, if you grew up in a home where clutter and chaos ruled, there is a good chance you have not learned the skills to keep yourself organized. The good news is, I have found that being organized is a skill that can be learned and grows with practice. This is where a Professional Organizer becomes a big help, and I teach these skills!
If you think your disorganization has more to do with your fundamental nature, maybe you are the more creative and artistic type. This could be very valid, and organization may not come naturally. Sometimes this has to do with what we tell ourselves – the mental messages we believe about who we are and what that looks like.
It is also about the way the brain works. Being creative-minded can add to and subtract from staying organized. I could write a whole bunch more about this, but for this article, let me use an example: writing a novel.
Generally, the creative impulse of the author happens first, and then they write their story.
Later an editor has to take the story and polish it up so a wider audience understands it. The editor looks at the story from an analytical side of the brain, ensuring the commas go where they need to go and the spelling is correct. Some people possess the skill to write and edit, but not generally at the same time. Sometimes a second person, coming from an analytical perspective, can clean up the writing. If we apply the author/editor analogy to becoming more organized in our living and working space, this is where you might hire an organizer (or “editor”) to do this type of work. A professional organizer can use the strengths of the creative mind and work with a person to develop an organizational system that works.
Another reason people become disorganized is they suffer from a biochemical and/or medical condition that limits their capabilities. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, arthritis, or a bad back make staying organized more challenging.
OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) is a condition in which a person’s organizing has becoming extreme and is causing the sufferer discomfort. There is still plenty a professional organizer can help with, but we may require more support from a physician, therapist, and/or medications. Getting your life more organized can positively impact your condition and alleviate symptoms of the underlying condition.
External factors like kids, jobs, and lack of time probably won’t change any time soon, but accommodations can still be made to help reduce the stress and resulting chaos. Our external world is usually just a reflection of our values and priorities. And the time that our kids and jobs take most defiantly should take precedence. Unfortunately, the results may leave you feeling frazzled. A Professional Organizer can identify the systems that might work for your circumstances. Additionally, it may take having one come in on a more regular basis to help you keep up on stuff; kind of like having someone else do your cleaning or car maintenance because you may not have the time for it.
One of the primary reasons folks struggle regardless of their temperament or circumstances is they have TOO MUCH STUFF. This will tax even the most highly skilled organizer. See my articles titled Too Much Stuff and Taming The Paperwork Pile.
Karen Brooks is an Inspired Organizer at her business, Master Your Disaster, LLC. She helps people and companies create organized and sacred spaces for a peaceful and harmonious life. Serving in McMinnville, Newberg, Lincoln City, Salem, Oregon, and surrounding areas. You can reach her at masteryourdisaster@gmail.com or call 503-881-7652