Organizing can be a daunting task for many, and it’s not uncommon to hear people say they hate it. But why is that? The main reason people find organizing so overwhelming is that they often make a bigger mess before they see any improvement. This happens because they start too big, trying to overhaul an entire room or even their whole house at once. Inevitably, something comes up, and they don't have the capacity or energy to finish the job. The result is a bigger mess than before, leading to frustration and a reluctance to attempt organizing again.
The Overwhelm of Starting Too Big
When you decide to tackle a large organizing project, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Imagine ripping apart an entire room: clothes thrown everywhere, papers scattered, and items pulled out from every nook and cranny. Now, life intervenes—you have to pick up the kids, a work emergency arises, or you simply run out of steam. The mess remains, often worse than before, and you feel defeated. The thought of diving back into the chaos is too much, and so the mess stays, and the cycle continues.
The Solution: Start Small
The key to overcoming this overwhelming feeling is to start very small. It’s akin to trying to lose 40 pounds by going to the gym once—it’s just not attainable. Instead, focus on one small space that you can complete in 5-10 minutes. This could be a single drawer, a shelf, or a small section of a room. The goal is to finish what you start, which gives you a sense of accomplishment and makes it easier to tackle the next small space.
Choose a Small Space: Pick a drawer, a shelf, or any small area that can be completed in a short time.
Sort Quickly: Decide quickly what to keep, toss, or donate.
Finish Completely: Place the items you're keeping neatly back in place. Put items to be donated in your vehicle immediately and dispose of the trash right away.
For the Easily Distracted: The Take It There Now Method
Even starting small can be challenging for some people, especially those who get easily distracted. Dana K. White, from "A Slob Comes Clean," has mastered a method that works for individuals with even the tiniest attention span. She uses the “Take It There Now” method.
Take One Thing at a Time: Pick up one item and take it where it belongs immediately.
Immediate Decision: If an item doesn’t fit where it should go, get rid of something else to make room for it.
This method ensures that if you get distracted, you won’t leave a mess behind. You’re not pulling out more than you can handle at once, and there’s no basket of items to put away later.
Drawbacks and Adaptations
Some people might find the “Take It There Now” method distracting because it involves moving around the house and tackling multiple spaces at once. This can be more time-consuming and feel less efficient to those who prefer to finish one area completely before moving on to the next.
The Golden Rule: No Mess, Only Improvement
Regardless of the method you choose, the golden rule is to ensure that at the end of your organizing session, you have no mess left behind. Each session should result in visible improvement, not additional chaos. This approach not only makes the task more manageable but also builds confidence and momentum as you see progress without feeling overwhelmed.
By starting small and using a method that suits your attention span and lifestyle, you can conquer the overwhelming feeling that organizing often brings. Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection, and every small step counts towards creating a more organized and harmonious space.
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