My disorganisation resonated with people last week, or was it the week before? I'm so disorganised I can't remember. I have tried hard over the years to be more organised, but it has never worked out. Having woken the rabbits š gently last time, I thought I would have a proper rummage around their warren, look in more detail at organised vs disorganised, and see where I end up.Ā
Having spent quite a lot of time down the rabbit š warren, I am none the wiser about being disorganised. Most "experts" consider it a bad thing. In the immortal words of Private Fraser of Dad's Army fame, 'I'm doomed'.
When I first googled just the words, organised vs. disorganised,' it immediately brought up serial killers and crime scenes. I am reassured to know that I am too disorganised to be a serial killer. But I could become a priority prolific offender - a term from my past on researching offenders, housing tenure and recidivism. I think I am definitely too old for that one. My knees, back and all bits wouldn't take the jumping over walls to escape the long hand of the law. Possibly, the rabbits are trying to tell me something. Are my incursions into their warrens turning them into the rabbits from the 1972 - 2 āØ - horror filmĀ The Night of The Lepus.Ā
After that odd detour, I should be clear: I am only discussing normal states of organisation vs disorganisationāneither cluttering/hoarding, for example, nor colour-coded kitchen cupboards. Googling - being organised vs disorganised produced more reasonable results.Ā Hiresuccess.comĀ discuss how it is best to employ disorganised vs. organised personality traits. Their answer, reassuringly, is it depends.
Some of the world's best thinkers have had famously messy desks (Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Steve Jobs).
Disorganised people are often more focused on the big picture rather than small details, so they can be very creative thinkers who bring a fresh perspective to the workplace.
An article on Medium by Matty Adams' articleĀ Can A Disorganised Person Become Organised? (yes)Ā describes how a disorganised person can become organised. Matty lists five tips mainly relating to the work environment. As we age, many of us lose these structures. The tips are still valid, but with my old curmudgeon perspective added. Sorry, Matty.
1. Self-communication - muttering to myself does a lot for my soul. To-do lists - I forget to read them. But I do put my thoughts on the page daily, which helps dump them out of your brain.
2. What's really important? Aka Prioritising - Having more time has helped me be less disorganised in my own way. Another advantage of growing old is that organisation becomes like driving, an automatic skill.Ā
3. Tell people what you're doing - I tell the dogs when I'll be home and dinner time, but they don't listen to anything else.Ā
4. Learn to say no - As we grow older, I think we are more able to say no. I have realised over the years saying yes is not always the right thing. I also have more time to think through my answer and say no. The kids in their younger days learnt the art of asking for things when I was rushed off my feet and in a disorganised flap.Ā
5. What's your mantra? The curmudgeonly woman says NO. Getting organised has its place; I must write that down somewhere, but I can't find a pen.
F.Diane Barthe LCSW wroteĀ The Pros and Cons of Being Organised (Yes, There are Cons)Ā in Psychology Today, so much resonated with me, from living with an organised husband to losing my car keys. I like herĀ
ā¦ am a sort-of-organised person. I usually know where things are, at least in a broad, general way. But I am also disorganised. I take things off shelves and don't always put them back.Ā
Barthe does point out, and common sense dictates, that being organised with money and finances saves and can make you money. Conversely, many people make money convincing disorganised people that we need tools, apps, courses, and other things to change our behaviour. The free reminder app on my phone, pens, paper and post-it notes work just as well. If I can remember where I put them all and to look at them.Ā
The consistent view is that being disorganised can help creativity and, as quoted above, helps bring fresh perspectives to thinking. I would agree a lot goes on in my head. The downside is that I often forget it before I write it down.Ā
The bottom line is that it is a more 'nuanced' picture than some would have us believe. Organisation is good, but disorganisation is good as well. Please don't beat yourself up about it, whichever way you are. As I have grown old, looking back, I do wish I had been more organised in some ways. But I wouldn't have been me. I didn't miss deadlines, and I still don't miss them because I am disorganised. I may have 12 tins of chickpeas in the cupboard and no tinned tomatoes when I need them. But what you can do with a chickpea is amazing, and creative thinking is at play.Ā
Having more time has worked both ways. I am more organised in how I spend my days. I have time to organise my 12 tins of chickpeas, and I can plan my writing. I can do things on a whim completely blowing my organisation out the window, I still forget to read the list of things I need and add chickpeas to my click and collect. For example, this morning, I looked at my planned Substacks and did something completely different.Ā
Journaling Prompts - these are just to get you thinking, writing or drawing.
When was the time you were most disorganised or organised time in your life?
What does it mean to you to be organised or disorganised?
Do you let organisation go when you are on holiday (not before)?
Draw picture that: a) represent being organised and b) represent being disorganised
Would you join The DisOrganised Club?
I hope you have enjoyed this completely nonsensical rambling of an old curmudgeon if you have, and haven't already please subscribe or share with others
At my age, 78, I find that being disorganized a treat when I'm not in a hurry. But I hardly do anything anymore to be in a hurry about.
My kitchen has to be organized. I hate having to search for an ingredient when it isn't where it belongs when I'm cooking or baking. To maintain order, if someone is over and decides to help themselves to something in the kitchen, I shout at them, "Stay out of my kitchen!" So, in that respect, No is a good option.
My walk in closet is a disaster. I always have to dig for what I'm looking for. I choose not to get mad at myself. As a retired elderly gentleman I have all the time in the world to dig in my closet... unless I'm cooking or baking.
Living alone is something I never got to experience. I find it to be calming since I can do what I want when I want and no one will be in the way.
Thanks for being yourself, Jo. I never take the time to look up reasons for my behavior. It never occurred to me to do so. I had my older brother to do that for me and I always disagreed.
I'm me and that's all there is to it.
I've missed conversations with you. However, the joy of being on Substack is exactly where I wish to be. So far my posts have gotten very little attention. But when I comment on the posts of others I do receive a lot of Likes, so I take that to mean that my brain hasn't rotted yet like Donald Trump's has. He's a horrible threat to America and many of us are already planning to move elsewhere if he steals this election from Kamala Harris.
What do you think of her? I give her an A+.
Richard
Nonsensical is not a word I would use to describe your post, Jo. It made perfect sense to me.
I have such a split personality when it comes to being organized. If I had the time, money, resources, I would have that color coordination in every closet, but I don't, so I am haphazardly organized.
A few years ago, I asked a few friends to name a few of my strengths. Every single one said I was organized. If only they could see my desk and work area!
I've gotten into the habit of following my organizational whims. Sometimes, I just feel like organizing a shelf or cupboard. It always feels so good to toss and sort and benefit from the end results. Sometimes, though, I bite off more than I can chew. I had put all the canned goods on a table in the living room so I could check dates and divert some to emergency food supplies (earthquake country, we need to have a stash). I had a strong start . . .