Challenging Chronic Disorganization

An important change occurred on January 1, 2011. The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) changed its name to the Institute on Challenging Disorganization (ICD). The mission remains the unchanged:

"Our mission is to benefit people affected by chronic disorganization. The ICD explores, develops and communicates information, organizing techniques and solutions to professional organizers, related professionals and the public."

As a subscriber of NSGCD/ICD I am excited that the name reflects the current nature of the group's work. In the beginning NSGCD was formed as an unofficial special interest group of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). But the group has grown beyond the confines of the states to include subscribers from other countries, as well as mental health practitioners and researchers. In the course of our work we do look for ways to bring order in situations where traditional organizing methods have failed. It is interesting to note that "challenging" in the new name works effectively as both as a verb and an adjective. Finally, I just enjoy the simplicity of the new name.

Please visit the ICD's new website (www.challengingdisorganization.org) and become familiar with this important group.

From The Land of Fun and Simplicity

Unclutterer is one of my favorite blogs. Their posts on simplifying and organizing are informative and inspiring. Plus the UniTask posts are great fun.

To my delight, the folks behind Unclutterer launched a new blog this year dedicated to ending meal-time stress. Brilliant! Let's face it - we all have to eat. And everyone I know is pretty busy. We can all use a little fun and simplicity when it comes to appeasing empty stomachs. Consider paying SimpliFried a visit: www.simplifried.com

If you haven't had the pleasure of reading Unclutterer, here is their link: www.unclutterer.com.

Stop Clutter From Stealing Your Life

I recently read the new edition of Stop Clutter From Stealing Your Life: Discover Why You Clutter and How You Can Stop by Mike Nelson. Nelson’s book offers explanations for why people clutter and strategies to stop cluttering. While Nelson did a lot of research for his book, what distinguishes it from many other books on organizing is his account of his efforts to declutter. It is his experience that gives this book a very genuine and hopeful quality.

Nelson is very open in his book about his history as a clutterer. He describes how he collected vast and varied items that filled his spaces yet did nothing to fill the emotional holes in his life. “Clutter is the symptom. Recognizing and changing the reason for our cluttering are the solutions.”

Types of clutterers are identified early in the book along with specific emotional and practical solutions for each type. Nelson distinguishes hoarding from cluttering.; although cluttering and hoarding share many symptoms and pain. Contrary to what the popular media seems to depict, hoarding is not common and effects a small percentage of the population.

Facing one’s emotions is essential for the effects of decluttering to be long lasting.  It will take time but making progress always does. Nelson offers several tools to help develop a less cluttered life. Journaling, identifying and working with one’s learning style, and understanding one’s personality are among them.

The bumpy road of change does not happen overnight. But for those undertake the challenge there are rewards: greater self-esteem, inner strength, greater satisfaction and a less cluttered life. If you feel as though you are trapped by your clutter, read this book. If someone in your life is trapped by clutter, read this book. Mike Nelson does a very good job in showing you how you can make the changes you need to set yourself free.

A New Way To Look At Organizing

Tonight I was surfing the net to check out the many articles on organizing – it is Get Organized month after all.  I perused many articles that extolled the benefits of organizing:            

            Find things when you need them so you save time and frustration,

            Eliminate buying duplicate items so you save money and space,

            Having a bill-paying system so you never have to deal with late-fees again,

            Being on time and prepared for appointments,

            Being able to open the door to your home when guest pop by,

            Saving effort because an efficient workflow is in place,

            And many other terrific benefits that you’ve probably seen before.

In the midst of all of the usual reasons for getting organized I found a new and refreshing one on Giorgi Lobjanidze’s blog: “organized living is sexy.”

If by sexy he means a calmness from order, an attitude of self-confidence and a sense of control, then yes I completely agree. 

“Organized living is sexy” – kind of puts a new slant on Get Organized month.