Why do organizing systems work great for some people and don’t work at all for other people?
There’s nothing more frustrating for a naturally disorganized person than to implement a “perfect” system exactly as prescribed, only to have it fail.
Believe me, I know.
Every time I failed at another “tried and true” organizing system, I had less hope of finding one that worked. I assumed I was hopeless at being organized.
So what is the difference? Why do the same cute white baskets (or cute white bench) look amazing in one home and like a jumbled mess in another?
People have different Clutter Thresholds.
Clutter Thresholds are real. A Clutter Threshold is the point at which someone has more stuff than he/she can personally keep under control easily.
My Clutter Threshold is the point at which I have more stuff than I can handle.
Than I, personally, can personally handle.
If a space in my home has more stuff in it than I can handle, that space gets out of control.
The organizing system I use isn’t the determining factor in whether a space stays organized.
The factor that determines whether a space stays organized is the amount of stuff in that space combined with my own ability to handle that amount of stuff.
I’m the determining factor.
Some people can arrange huge amounts of stuff in buckets and baskets and rows. I can do that, too.
But they pull out what they need without completely undoing the system.
I can’t do that.
When I’m focused on finding something (usually at or after the moment I need it), my brain definitely doesn’t include straightening baskets as part of the task at hand.
I go about doing whatever I needed the thing for, and the next day/week/month, I suddenly notice that my formerly organized space is a disaster again.
Making an effort to notice what I’m doing (or not doing) and focusing on slowing down and completing tasks is helpful. I’ve improved at this over the years.
But “trying to do better” isn’t a guaranteed solution to the problem. Especially as someone who gets distracted easily. Life happens, I get into a project, and I lapse back into my dig-out-what-I-need-right-now-and-leave-the-rearranging-for-later-when-I’m-not-in-the-middle-of-a-project ways.
You know what actually solves the problem of keeping a space organized? Decluttering that space until it’s under my Clutter Threshold.
No organizing system will work in my home if I’m trying to keep more stuff than I can personally handle.
Because of how I function, I need there to be less stuff in a space so I can find and get to the one thing I need without having to move six other things.
How do you find your Clutter Threshold? Declutter. It’s the only way. If a space is consistently out of control, declutter it. If it continues to get out of control, declutter some more.
One day, you’ll realize the space that once overwhelmed you has been staying under control without angst.
That’s when you know you’ve hit your personal Clutter Threshold.
Just declutter. Having only the amount of stuff they can personally keep under control is how organized people stay organized. Even if they don’t know that’s what they’re doing.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with stuff, you need my book: Decluttering at the Speed of Life. I teach you everything you need to know to reach your Clutter Threshold and get control of your home.
Right on!! I love the terms you make up— Decluttering Threshold, Time Passage Awareness Disorder, etc. They come to mind again and again, as I stumble and rise again. As I read this, I was thinking, You are SO me, hahaha!! 😁
Yes! You can’t keep anything organized if you have too much. I mean, even though my bookshelves are organized by the Dewey Decimal system, if I have too many books for the shelf, books get put in odd places. Decluttering down to the limit of my bookshelves allows me to keep my books organized in that Dewey system so I can always easily find them.
Similarly, I try to keep my closet organized by type of clothing and then by color within that, but if I have too many clothes… well… things don’t always make it back to where they go!
If you ever are inspired to do a post/podcast on how to encourage teens (in my case girls) to get closer to their clutter threshold I would loooove it. I have spent the last four years getting the main living areas of our house down to a manageable level. When I moved in with my partner at that time his house was close to hoarder level, and I had a house worth of items as well-so we have come a long way. However, the girl’s bedrooms are still at hazmatt level and while I have tried to help them here and there, I really don’t know what to do short of using a shovel (which I have considered). My oldest (17) has ADD so your advice has been excellent in helping me understand her better. My middle one (16) is just a typical busy teen, and I worry that the youngest (15) is going to grow up to be a hoarder. Help?
Hey Erin!! Her “container concept” works great with my girls, and I pay them
Every so often per item they declutter if things get overboard. Also, even though they are older, they may get so overwhelmed by the total mess that they can’t deal… so may need you to walk through the “easy stuff” I’d pointing out trash, etc to them! Those sweet prefrontal cortex’s still aren’t fully developed 😉
So true, Ada. Erin, my 11 year old son gets so overwhelmed by his stuff that he can’t even see the easy stuff to deal with it. I have to sit with him and actively point out each item of trash, each item of dirty clothing, etc. He loves to be able to see all his stuff (if you’re familiar with Cass, The Clutterbug (on YouTube), he’s a butterfly), but then it gets out of control that much more easily.
I had a niece in a similar situation – to the point where she practically moved into the office rather than her bedroom. Helping her see that what she brought with her into the office was what she was actually interested in keeping really helped. Everything else was donate-able.
As the daughter of a hoarder, it took me until I was an adult to really start figuring out that my parent did not have a reasonable relationship with ‘stuff’ – and many years of figuring out my own ‘stuff’ relationship. Using Dana’s ‘visibility rule’, even in a single room like the bedroom, really helped get me started.
🤯
This is such a simple concept, yet I still struggle with it. You’re totally right! WHY can’t I keep the kitchen table cleared off? Cause it’s also used for our craft projects, which don’t always get put away. Cause my craft cabinet is too full… of course!
Mind. Blown.
🤯
I purchased a closet organizer after having become a fan of Dana’s methods. I bought it because I looked at it, and I SAW THE CONTAINERS that were created by the different shelves and hanging areas.
The only problem is actually getting it into the closet!! But it is a project for me for the summer, and I can’t wait to have that space organized, as I have done so much work to declutter it!!
Fingers crossed!
Dana, you were dead on… I have been applying this method in my kitchen, and I (we) function better! I see this as a work in progress and am getting closer to MY threshhold. I have also used it elsewhere, but where it has been the most dramatic is the kitchen. Your book made me see what I needed to do to get out of the ruts I was in, and I thank you again for your wise words.
My kitchen is a direct in my face example of my best and worst personality traits. I love to cook and entertain. I hate to part with a dish. I find an excuse to keep all of them. I’ve looked for lists to tell me how many pans, casseroles, dishes, etc. I SHOULD have. I have plenty of storage for a normal person. It’s a constant struggle. Dana has helped so much. Reading comments from like minds also helps.
I’m doing some decluttering in the attic, and have come across old household organizing papers. Whoosh! Into the trash! I don’t need these anymore. Nothing worked in the past, Dana, until I found your books and your website. Your way of thinking helped me get things more manageable. Granted, I’ve got tons and tons of stuff to go through, and one pass through it all won’t do it, but there is always progress.
Tried the link in your email for possible training.
The link wouldn’t connect.
Hoping to find more information
Thank you –
Tried the link in your email for training. It doesn’t work.