Written by Gayle Gruenberg

Everyone has times when they feel out of control and disorganized. But for some, the feeling is pervasive and persists. How do you know if you’re situationally or chronically disorganized (CD)?

I often say that life transitions knock our organizing systems out of whack. We may be going along just fine, living life, and then BAM! Something happens that upsets our sense of stability, and we find ourselves surrounded by clutter and chaos. We may have experienced a loss, a move, a career change, new marital status, welcomed a child, be newly taking care of an aging parent, or suddenly working from home in less than optimal spatial conditions. All of these events are temporary and can cause situational disorganization.

Clothes may pile up on the floor. Mail may come in and not get opened for a while. Take-out meals may become the norm.

Allow time to pass to get acclimated to this new normal. Take stock of your current systems for managing time, space, relationships, and more. I call this a “periodic look-through”. Examine what has been working so far and tweak it to fit the current circumstance. Things will soon settle down and life will run smoothly again. You’ll do the laundry and it will get put away. The mail will get opened and addressed. You’ll once again cook meals, if that’s part of your lifestyle. You’ll adapt and create a new routine to accommodate the new life event.

Conversely, chronic disorganization is pervasive and more permanent. Someone living with CD has been disorganized most of their lives. Being disorganized negatively impacts the quality of their life on a daily basis. They have tried every self-help solution available to them with little success. They may have a brain-based condition, such as ADHD, traumatic brain injury, depression, or anxiety, that impedes their executive functions, which include the skills required for organizing.

Clothes may pile up on the floor and there is confusion as to what is clean and what is dirty. Garbage may not hit the trash can and stays where it lands for days or weeks. Mail comes in, piles up, is put into bags, and is hidden away in a closet. Bills go unpaid.

Without some outside intervention, the conditions are likely to remain as they are. Addressing CD requires some creativity, experience, and expertise. A multidisciplinary approach may be needed, including not just a professional organizer but a therapist, psychiatrist, neurologist, coach, friends, family, and other supports.  Systems that seem outlandish may need to be created, and ongoing support may be required to maintain them.

Gayle M. Gruenberg, CPO-CD®, CVPO, is the chief executive organizer of Let’s Get Organized, LLC, an organizer coach, and the creator of the Make Space for Blessings system.