7 Rules for Dealing with Disorganization

"Getting organized” is among the top resolutions of 2012. It is every year actually. Like the other top resolutions involving health or wealth, the goal of reducing clutter falls under the “Best of Intentions” category. We all mean well in January but by summer our interest is waning. And once the holiday season arrives in the winter… well, we’ll get back to that diet/exercise plan/cluttered basement … next year.

I came upon this tongue-in-cheek look at conquering the gym, and decided that humor sure has a way of bringing home a few points. It got me thinking that maybe there are a few truths about clutter and organizing that also need to be aired.

7 Rules for Dealing with Disorganization

1)      “Miscellaneous” is a catchall word for your catch alls. So don’t use it. (And the abbreviated “misc.” version is a 4-letter word, so do you really want to use that?) Instead, when it comes to filing, labeling, or storing your items, pick a name for what is actually in there. The key to getting organized involves finding a home for your stuff and creating a system for putting it there. Miscellaneous isn’t going to help in that mission.

2)      The Mayans were most likely wrong about 2012. (But pretend they’re right.) Did the Mayans intend to predict the end of the world on Dec. 21, 2012? Various religious, New Age and scholarly experts think otherwise, but let’s suppose, just for a minute that the pessimists are right. Briefly imagining worst-case scenarios can be good for us if doing so gives us pause and helps us reassess our priorities, follow through on important plans, and release some of the extra “stuff” in our lives. 

3)      You didn’t wake up this morning weighing 50 pounds more than you did last night. The same is true for clutter. Disorganization, like weight gain, accrues over time. So it takes time to tackle the weight or the clutter or the bad habits that got you heavier or disorganized in the first place. Patience and persistence are key, but it can be done! (Yes, if you were cast on the Biggest Loser, the odds are in your favor that you’ll lose that weight faster, and yes, if you work with a professional organizer you’ll be able to transform your space faster as well.)

4)      Amazing but true:  Kids and teens whose parents expect them to contribute 0% to household chores will in fact contribute 0% to household chores. You can teach them to help out now, or apologize to their roommates and spouses later. Your call.

5)      If buying a bunch of nifty containers, furniture and filing systems is not in the budget… then don’t. Shoeboxes, second-hand furniture and re-purposed manila folders do the trick just as well. Sure they aren’t pretty but functionality is the first priority. You can always dress it up later when your bank account allows.

6)      Bills, junk mail and other incoming paper have this annoying habit of showing up every month or so – whether you welcome them or not. Prepare yourself for their arrival with an “in” box, recycle bin and shredder, along with a bill-paying routine, so you and your bill collectors can get along.

7)      There is no one-size-fits-all solution to getting organized and no specific result that organizing brings. For some, a lived-in look is the quest; others must maintain a magazine-cover-photo appearance to be comfortable. And while some of us tackle laundry daily, others don’t mind waiting a week or more to scale Mt. Washmore and get it all done at once. The point is to do what works for you – and your family – and if it’s not working, or the results are not realistic, it’s time to reassess and readjust as needed. And if you’re not able to do it on your own, remember that help is available!