I’ll be the first one to admit I can be a bit cluttered sometimes. While I’m not dirty — I regularly do my laundry, change my sheets, clean my bathrooms, wash my dishes, etc. — I can be somewhat cluttered when it comes to stacking piles of books, clothes, and other things around me. I like to think I have it under control, and I mostly do. However, if you recognize these signs, your disorganization might be controlling you.
1. Your living space is like a maze.
Getting from one side of the room to the other is an adventure. Clothes, books, and other random items are everywhere, creating a labyrinth of belongings. (RIP, David Bowie!) Tripping over things or spending ages searching for them is the norm for you. This chaos is more than clutter; it’s a maze without an exit. If your sheer amount of stuff is becoming overwhelming, it’s time to get organized.
2. You’re always running late. Always.
Every morning is a race against time, but you’re often on the losing side. The hunt for keys, phones, or shoes is a daily routine. This constant lateness is more than just a small nuisance; it’s become a defining trait. It’s not a good look if you’re constantly showing up well after you were meant to arrive.
3. Your to-do list is more like a never-done list.
Your to-do lists are scattered everywhere, yet nothing gets checked off. The list grows endlessly, leading to a feeling of being overwhelmed and underproductive. It’s an ever-expanding saga of tasks that seems to have no end. What’s worse is that it a lot of the stuff on your list would literally take, like, 5 minutes to complete.
4. Your digital life is just as cluttered as your real life.
Navigating your email inbox or computer files is a daunting task. Thousands of unread emails and a desktop full of files reflect a digital mess that mirrors your real-life disarray. This isn’t just inconvenience; it’s a virtual manifestation of your everyday chaos. Given how much time we spend on our phones and computers, it’s worth the time to get your digital ducks in a row.
5. You’ve mastered the art of piling.
In your space, piles of random items have become a common sight. These stacks are a risky game of Jenga waiting to topple. Far from being a mere organizational choice, it’s a precarious situation that could collapse at any moment. Do you really want to break a leg because you tripped on a pile of your junk on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night?
6. Missing deadlines is your new normal.
Deadlines tend to sneak up on you, leaving you scrambling at the last minute. Your approach to organization means due dates are often missed or need an extension. This is worse than poor time management — it’s a chaotic system in which completing tasks or projects never follows a schedule. It’s not just damaging for your personal life, it can (and will) totally kill your career.
7. You tend to buy duplicates a lot.
When you go shopping, you often repurchase stuff you know you have but that you just can’t find. The house is full of duplicates, turning shopping into a guessing game of what’s hidden at home. Not only are you wasting money, you’re stuck in a repeated cycle of buying stuff that’s already be somewhere in the clutter and that you just don’t need.
8. You feel stressed in your own space.
Instead of relaxation, your room or home brings nothing but stress. The clutter and chaos affect your mood, making your living space somewhere you dread being rather than a place of solace. You shouldn’t feel constantly uneasy in a place that’s supposed to be your sanctuary. A clean space = a clean mind, remember that.
9. Your social life is suffering because of your disorganization.
Having friends over feels like an unattainable goal. The mess in your space is a barrier to socializing, which can lead to you feeling isolated, especially if your circle is full of homebodies rather than partiers. Sure, you can dress it up by claiming you’re an introvert, but this is really about how disorganization hampers your ability to connect with people in your own home.
10. You’re surrounded by unfinished projects.
Unfinished projects are the story of your life, and each one is a reminder of all of your unfulfilled intentions. From crafts to half-read books, they represent a lack of follow-through. Instead of helping you feel like you have an outlet for your feelings and giving you a sense of creative fulfillment, you end up feeling bad about all the things you haven’t finished.
11. You have a collection of misplaced stuff.
Stuff is rarely where it should be. Your glasses end up in the kitchen and your phone hides in the bathroom. It’s like you’re playing hide and seek with your belongings, and that’s not cool. If you don’t know where things are when you go looking for them, you’re too disorganized. It shouldn’t be that hard to find a pair of clean socks in the morning, you know.
12. Your car is a cluttered oasis.
The chaos extends beyond your living space; it’s in your car too. Empty coffee cups, wrappers, and random items fill the seats. It’s more than just a messy car; it’s a mobile monument to disarray. If you have to tell people, “Hang on, let me just clean up here real quick” before you give them a ride, you know there’s a problem.
13. You struggle with decision-making.
Making choices, even simple ones, is a serious ordeal for you. Indecision reigns, from selecting an outfit to ordering at a restaurant. It’s not just about preferences; it’s a struggle to navigate through options. It shouldn’t be that hard to be decisive about most things in life. It’s not as if you’re choosing a house to buy — you’re just deciding if you want Chinese or Mexican food tonight.
14. You hoard unnecessary items.
Letting go is a challenge for you. Your home is filled with stuff you haven’t used in ages. Half the time, you don’t even know where it came from! It’s not just about sentimentality; it’s an inability to part with things that have outlived their usefulness. Hey, it happens — but it’s important to get on top of it if you don’t want to end up on the next A&E show.
15. Your finances are a puzzle.
Managing money feels like solving a mystery. Bills pile up and you lose track of expenses. You’re not just bad at budgeting — you’re stuck staring at a financial jigsaw puzzle that’s difficult to piece together. There shouldn’t be any guesswork when it comes to how you’re doing money-wise.
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