How Being Organized Protects Your Mental Health
Would you believe us if we told you how you organize your space can alter your mood or even mental health? We have seen this first hand in our own families and in many of our clients as well. You may be in the same boat, so we hope our story will help you! Here’s how being organized protects your mental health.
The Connection Between Your Mental Health + Organization
The first time I saw the correlation between cognition and organization was when my daughter was old enough to maintain her own space.
She was three and had been placed on the Autism Spectrum the previous year. We had been told in the beginning by her state-appointed specialist that she would have a certain way she saw things and how they needed to be done – and that there would be no exceptions. As we watched her take control of her spaces and her belongings we saw a change in her outward behavior and the difference it made to her to have a “neat” space.
For her to mentally process her things, they had to be meticulously sorted and arranged just right. Color coordinated, texture sorted, alphabetized, and separated. There was a list of ways she made and kept a sense of her space. I tried to understand her process so I could help – but what I found to be my version of neat, she found to be chaos. When there was chaos in her space – there was a mental roadblock, she couldn’t function until the space was just right.
Identify Your Roadblocks
Although my daughter has a very special circumstance, it doesn’t mean this theory doesn’t apply to everyone in some way or another. We all have ways our space affects us mentally. Some struggle with not being able to find things they need when they need them, which can change their mood or efficiency for the day. Others may find it hard to concentrate in a space of disorder but do not know where to begin to tackle the mess. These are all very different and somehow very similar. They require us to identify what is causing the disorganization and then set an intention to fix it.
The Power of Starting Small When it Comes to Your Mental Health
When I worked with my daughter’s autism advocate, she explained something very important to me. I wanted to “fix” everything that made my daughter’s world hard for her to process. However, her advocate mentioned that it may be more difficult than it seems and that we should start small.
“Pick one space she uses the most often but seems to have the most trouble with and work there.” She proceeded to instruct me to ask specific questions that would help. For example, “What is it about this area that bothers you the most?” and “What feelings do you have when you use this area?” etc.
I’m not going to lie, I had never considered my “things” as a source of feelings, but boy was I wrong. I could write a whole book about why we keep the things we do and how they affect us mentally, but I’ll save that for another day.
I found out that the things that may have bothered me, did not affect her at all. And the things I found inconsequential, she found debilitating. Something as simple as sorting her hair ties by fabric type and not size. Slowly we worked on each small area at a time. Once we found a system she deemed adequate, we moved on to the next. During this process, she learned to process her feelings. She began to analyze the spaces herself and create her own systems that made sense to her.
Identify What Works + What Doesn’t With Your Organization System
When working with clients, I still ask the same questions I asked my daughter. This helps me get an idea of what they struggle with and why. Maybe your junk drawer is driving you nuts. We need to know what it is about your drawer that IS serving you and what is NOT. Use the ways your system works for you and duplicate it. Do not be afraid to have a conversation with yourself about every item in the drawer. Find out what each thing contributes to that space. If your batteries are overtaking the drawer so much that you cannot find your keys, they are hindering the functionality of the drawer. Maybe we move the batteries out of the drawer to a utility closet in their own bin.
Once this small task has been completed, you will feel a sense of accomplishment. This little boost can create confidence that can catapult you into your next project. Taking the time to celebrate a small win will help you find joy throughout the organizing process.
How Being Organized Protects Your Mental Health
We also understand this process can be very overwhelming for some people. That’s why figuring out how being organized protects your mental health is so important. And it is okay to ask for help. We suggest working with a professional or someone who will understand that there is a certain way to do things so it benefits you because this is your space.
Even your most organized friend might not fit the bill – surprise! They are just organized because they discovered a system that works for them. And now you can too! These are some of our favorite reads. Pick one and start reading to discover how to transform your home into a space that will bring you peace and happiness.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram @thesortedstandard for more organization tips! We are passionate about organization and how it can transform your life.
