What’s Really Behind Your Disorganization?
Have you ever looked around your space and thought, “How did it get this way?” It might feel like clutter just sneaks up on you; laundry multiplying overnight or your kid’s toys dancing across every surface. It’s common to feel like being unorganized is a personal flaw, but the truth is, disorganization often has deeper roots. There is always a reason behind the chaos, and thankfully, there is always a solution too! Let’s take a look at some of the big ones…
Chronic Disorganization
According to the Institute for Challenging Disorganization, chronic disorganization is defined as having a past history of disorganization where self-help efforts haven’t worked, feeling a negative impact on your quality of life, and expecting that disorganization will continue without support. Many clients I’ve worked with believed they were "hopeless cases", but that could not be further from the truth. Chronic disorganization is not a character flaw; it’s simply a different way of operating. With the help of a professional organizer trained in chronic disorganization, lasting change is absolutely achievable.
Adult ADHD
WebMD reports that 4 to 5 percent of adults are living with ADHD. According to the Mayo Clinic, while hyperactivity may decrease with age, adults often continue to experience symptoms like impulsiveness, restlessness, difficulty paying attention, trouble making decisions, and feeling overwhelmed by too many details. Without understanding the cause, it’s easy to blame yourself. What’s reassuring is that with the right support, whether it’s from a professional organizer or sometimes medication, adults with ADHD can discover systems and strategies that work with how they’re wired, not against it. Small changes can make a big difference.
Situational Disorganization
Sometimes, life just gets in the way, and disorganization is a result of what’s happening around us. When major life events occur, like taking care of a sick loved one, starting a new job, having several young children in a short period of time, or dealing with the loss of someone close, it’s easy for organization to take a back seat. Only essential tasks, like paying bills or doing laundry, get done, while everything else, like purging and tidying, falls behind. After the moment is over, the weight of the clutter can feel overwhelming. I’ve found that most clients just need a bit of guidance to get their space back in order. Once we’ve reset things together, they often find that they can manage it on their own, regaining a sense of control and calm.
Perfectionism
A lot of people find perfectionism a major roadblock to getting organized. It can stem from deeper feelings like fear of failure, low self-esteem, or a strong need for control, sometimes influenced by an upbringing or social pressures. The desire to get everything just right can lead to procrastination and a sense of defeat, as nothing ever feels "perfect" enough to tackle. Experts agree that perfectionism wastes time and delivers very little in return. The key to overcoming it is learning to let go of the idea that everything needs to be flawless. Once you can release that pressure, things can finally start moving forward.
Whether your disorganization is due to chronic habits, ADHD, life events, or perfectionism, the key is to be patient with yourself. It’s not about achieving perfection overnight, but about creating a system that fits your lifestyle and helps you feel more in control. If you feel like you need some help, we’re here to guide you. Contact us to create a personalized strategy; together, we can build a plan that fits your needs and makes staying organized feel more manageable!