" Being disorganized affects more than just your environment – it also has a strong relationship with your level of health and well-being. Clutter and chaos can make us feel overwhelmed and out of control, contributing to increased levels of stress in our bodies, lives, and relationships." -
I know the above to be true. It is why I wanted to explore the connection between organization and health. My take-away from reading articles and reflecting on my own struggle with reducing clutter and staying organized is that my life would be enriched by working to shift my mindset away from disorganization.
Relationships - I never knew! OK I probably knew but didn't want to admit how much my inability to organize was effecting my interactions with those around me. Those mornings when I would have a panic attack because I couldn't find my keys. My family scrambling to try to help me out. My husband trying to give me a "I told you so" lecture on proper key placement. It set everyone up for frustration at the beginning of the day.
Finances - I will admit that I am better than I was a year ago in regards to organizing my finances. However, I still find myself ignoring certain things (and by certain things I mean that one credit card balance that I never seem to look at until it's due). Not being able to find my stuff has led me to buy things multiple times. I could have saved a lot if I just knew where my stuff is. I can think of 3 wireless mice I have for my computers. I could not tell you where any one of them are. What will probably happen is Amazon! When I have a plan going to the grocery store, I spend far less.
Time - Having an organized environment can afford you more time to do things like exercise. It frees up time that you would be spending looking for above mentioned wireless computer mouse and allows you the time to focus on your self. Self-Care can become a priority because you don't have to worry about all the things that come with a disorganized life. I feel that clutter gives us an excuse not to show up for our own life. We are constantly trying to work our way out of it. I would much rather take time to read a book on the couch than clean my living room trying to find the book that I want to read.
Medication - Having a plan and being organized helps me even find time to take my medication. Being mindful of what I am buying at the grocery store, allows me an opportunity to do better when it comes to meal planning. That in turn allows my breakfasts to be ready to eat each morning saving me time. I am able to wake up in the morning, take my medicine (1 hour before eating), do some journaling, shower and dress, enjoy my morning meal and be out the door an hour and a half after rising from sleep. Did I mention that I was able to find my keys hanging from the hook where I left them the night before?
My interest in the organization health connection all started with work. I was getting highly stressed at work because I couldn't find things. I was notorious for putting down a stack of papers and then forgetting where I put them. I think the struggle is that I am always thinking ahead. I do this in every aspect of my life. The reason those darn keys are so elusive to me is when I walk in the door to my house is I have already started thinking about making dinner. My focus is now on dinner and no longer on the keys in my hand. This is what was happening at school. I was always trying to think two steps ahead. And let me be clear. Planning is not a bad thing. It is important and should be done intentionally. However, there are times we need to be present. The disorganization and chaos in my classroom was creating real anxiety. It would build to a point that I couldn't stand it any longer. I would end up giving up a full afternoon on a weekend to go up to school to clean everything up. Disclaimer: even though I was cleaning up, there was no real organization happening. So one Saturday when I was practically in tears sitting at my desk at school, I had an "aha" moment! I needed structure and systems. And y'all it might sound cliche, but my world changed. Now It wasn't like my life was all organized. It still isn't. But I know what I am moving towards. I now can see that I need to be a little more in the present when I walk through the door at the end of the day and get those keys on the hook. I need to just take a moment when I am leaving the house in the morning to ask myself if I have my keys, phone, and wallet. Those computer mice? I am still working on that. Hopefully I take time each day to make things a little more organized, and I will find them. Best of all I am finding myself.
Other Articles You Might Find Interesting
7 Health Benefits of Being Organized
5 Health Benefits of Being Organized