10 Signs You Have Gone Overboard Organizing

As Summer starts to fade and we forge straight ahead into Fall, the coming change of seasons proves a prime time to pack away unused clothes, de-clutter the home office and clean out the house in anticipation of the holidays -- which let's face it are closer than we think.

Getting organized can be an overwhelming task, but with the right approach, you can be ready for the season ahead in no time. With the scores of books, television shows and articles (like the one's I write) proliferating our lives -- cleaning and organizing can seem like a full time job. But (and Oprah, please cover your ears here), it can even become a type of obsession - and not the fun kind.

I recently went thought a phase of compulsive cleaning that prompted a friend to pronounce "you're cleaning out your closets again?" In my deep desire to simplify, I may have occasionally gone overboard on the organizing thing. So my declaration for what little time is left of summer is to spend less time sorting and more time being with family and friends, reading and lying out in sun. Don't laugh you may be a member of this club and not even know it. Here are ten signs you have gone overboard being organized.

1. You wake up at 4:00 am stressing over the state of your sock drawer

2. You sneak off to the Container Store but tell your family your going to the market

3. You think spring-cleaning deserves to be declared a bank holiday

4. Cleaning up after a dinner party includes re-organizing your Tupperware

5. Helping clean up after a dinner party where you are a guest includes re-organizing the host's Tupperware

6. Friends laugh out loud when you declare, "my house is such a mess!"

7. Your husband suggests that you start a local chapter of PCA (Plastic Containers Anonymous)

8. You seriously ponder the merits of acrylic drawer holders over plastic white ones

9. Although you try not to judge, you think a messy pencil cup is a sign of a life in trouble

10. You can actually find your car keys when you go to look for them

Please note that this article is copyrighted by Karen Leland. If you would like to reprint any or all of it on your blog or website for non-commercial purposes, you are welcome to do so, provided you give credit and a live link back to this post.

Karen Leland is author of the recently released book Time Management In An Instant:60 Ways to Make the Most of Your Day. You can read more at her blog site at www.karenleland.com or contact her at [e-mail]

 

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Comments

[DAugustyn]

Why do people find it so difficult to organize their homes, garages, offices, closets you name it and they are totally lost. Just put your mind to it and get down to business. I had a friend that said that organized people are just too lazy to go looking for things. Aren't you embarrassed to invite people over to your house? Have you ever heard of Hefty outdoor lawn and leaf bags? Fill 'em up with all that stuff that you never needed in the first place and now it is just taking up space. I guess because I lived on a farm for 22 years and had to run it myself,along with the help of two young daughters, I had to be organized. The barns had to be kept clean, the gardens had to be weeded, the hay had to be cut and baled, I had to pick up feed that I had in storage at the feed mill, the house had to be taken care of and I also worked a 40 hour a week job. The trick is to NEVER let it get out of control, unless you like to live in an unorganized mess. All of you unorganized people need to spend a week or two on a farm and you'll learn how to organized and mulitask real quick. You all want to be "green", clean up your house.

[OrganingGuy]

Great article Karen. Made me laugh out loud.

Unfortunatey this CAN happen.

Andrew
http://www.Organizing-Toronto.com

[tsanders726]

This is funny, but also a little true. I got divorced 3 years ago and one of the best parts (there are MANY) is that I know where everything is and how to get to it. My ex was messy and it was my job to try and keep things organized. Nightmarish, to say the least.
For me, being organozed and knowing that I can put my hands on something when I need it is a great stress reducer.
I got my reward just a few days ago when I had to scan and email my GED certificate for a background search. I knew exactly where it was because I've kept it in the same little wooden box for 30 years. Even though I hadn't looked at that piece of paper ( or needed it) in probably 20 years, I was able to find it in about 5 minutes. That was a sweet moment :)

[MikeyMike]

I would add, if you have thrown out things you later realize you actually wanted, needed, and had to buy again, you have a problem. (Yes, I have a problem.) It's like being too thin though, most folks admire you at first, and while you like that, you secretly know all is not well.

[Christy Strauch]

I wish I had this problem. I'd like to experience the swing of the pendulum the opposite direction from massive clutter. I'll bet if I read Karen's books...?

[Norak]

How about if you have to buy again because you can't find the original because everything's disorganized?