I recently took an online class on fundamental organizing and productivity principles. The class talked about two different types of disorganization – situational and chronic.
Situational Disorganization is a temporary state of being disorganized caused by a (positive or negative) life circumstance.
Chronic disorganization, as defined by the Institute of Challenging Disorganization (ICD), is having a history of disorganization in which self-help efforts to change have failed.
As I sat there listening in on the class, I looked around my house and was like – Ha, I am situationally disorganized at the moment! As a Professional Organizer, I was horrified to think that I could use help organizing….stat! Let me explain! Back in December, I underwent major foot surgery, and 8 weeks later, I had the same surgery on my other foot. I put off the surgeries for years because of the long, painstaking recovery. Each surgery requires you to be non-weight bearing (NWB) for 6 weeks! Um, really? Once the NWB period is over, you move onto crutches and partial weight bearing in a big, heavy clunky boot. Here it is the end of March and I am still walking in a boot and using 1-2 crutches from time to time. Since December 15, I have not been able to do anything on my own or for any length of time. While I was NWB, I would get around using a nifty knee scooter. Prior to the surgeries, I was thinking – no sweat, I will be able to scoot around and still keep up on household chores (insert Wonder Woman theme song). That was a big slap of reality for me! The scooter was great, but it was tiring to scoot around on one knee, I would often crash into things or drop things. I tried to be independent but that usually ended in my husband yelling at me to go lay down and elevate my foot! My husband took on all of my roles (mom, caregiver, cleaner, cook, chief house officer), while maintaining his roles (dad, firefighter, nurse, and student as he is finishing his nursing degree). He is not a very organized person, or much of a cleaner, but he tried! Now that I am getting my groove back, I am faced with reorganizing my house. Laundry was folded and put away haphazardly. I prided myself on my son’s color coordinated closet, so much that I would just go in his room and take in its magnificence, is now a hot mess. Short sleeve shirts are mixed with sweat pants that are mixed with bathing suits that are mixed with long sleeve shirts. Gone are the clothing separated by sleeve length and by color. I am slowly getting it back to its normal state.
My Tupperware that was neatly tucked away in the cabinets now leap out at me when I open the cabinet door. The tops are missing their bottoms, shudder! My once alphabetized spices are now all over the place. I find myself yelling where the heck is the cumin? It is supposed to be right next to the cinnamon! I cannot cook in this disarray! Even worse, my Christmas wreath still hangs outside! GASP! I cannot get down to the basement just yet (because of my feet) and I cannot bear to ask hubby to do one more thing for me. So there it is, my shame proudly displayed for all passersby to see. I could go on and on about the little piles of clutter that have invaded my once orderly home. But, really, what can you do, right? Life happens!
What I am getting at is, it is ok! I often hear from people that they need help but they would never consider hiring a Professional Organizer because they are too embarrassed of what their house looks like. Something in their life has caused them to become situationally disorganized, whether it be a new job, a new baby, a house renovation, an illness, a surgery (hello, me!), caring for a relative, or dealing with a death of a relative. They find that their once organized home is now overrun with piles of paper, clothing that no longer fits, and items that they just do not know what to do with them. They cannot possible ask an outsider to come in and see the disorganization. However, even a very organized person needs help from time to time! Situation disorganization is common and affects many of us. Do not be afraid or embarrassed to reach out and ask a professional to help you to get your home back to the calm, inviting nest that it used to be. Even a Professional Organizer has piles of ‘stuff’ lurking inside their homes. I just admitted it!
By the way, I just took down my Christmas wreath and replaced it with an Easter wreath! Huge collective sigh of relief from my neighbors and me!