Drowning in Clutter? Playful Ways to Get Organized!

Anxiety! Stress! It Seems Impossible for some!

Created by an Author with an AI designer

I’ve struggled with keeping my house clean and organized my entire life. In my twenties, a friend visited my apartment and told me, “My apartment should be the standard against which all messy apartments are measured.” I recently realized I have ADHD. It makes so much sense now!

People are often plagued by the desire to manage their homes or offices. They can become angry with themselves when they feel the chaos all around them. Some pick a day or time to begin but end up procrastinating. They are unable to start or continue because of indecision and overwhelm. Many people with Attention deficit hyperactive disorder have difficulty focusing on tasks that are not interesting to them.

Disorganized or Messy Children and Partners

Living with messy children or a disorganized partner can be challenging for a neat person. Some complain bitterly about getting their family to clean up after themselves. People seek help because they are at their wit’s end. The consequences of differences in organizational ability can cause family problems, resulting in issues that can last a lifetime.

Partners who are disgusted by their partner’s messiness can reach a point where they are on the verge of separation or divorce. Parents who get angry at their children for not picking up after themselves can cause the children to internalize the anger and become angry with themselves. This can have long-term consequences for the child’s emotional development.

It can be frustrating to live with someone who is messy and disorganized. You may think they are lazy and don’t care about being organized. However, the real reason may be that they have a learning disability such as ADHD, OCD, or other learning disability. These disabilities can make it difficult for them to focus, know what goes together, or follow through on tasks. Understanding the cause can be helpful.

A Discovery in Organization

I have struggled to be organized for as long as I can remember. Years ago, I came across a book called “Driven to Distraction” by Edward Hollowell. The book had one idea that I started to use because it made so much sense. Often, when we went on vacation, I left something behind. Sometimes, I was able to have it shipped back to me, and as my anxiety grew about leaving things behind, a game came to me that I had used for years. I have never left anything behind since.

Over time, I’ve collected games that can help with less mess and more organization. Some of these may be helpful to you, and some could be geared toward helping your children clean up their rooms in a fun way. I still am disorganized, but when I need to, I choose a game that gets me back on track.

Organization Playbook

The playbook has several main ideas that can help people who get overwhelmed by too much in front of them. Often, parents tell their children to clean their rooms. Children may not know what that includes and feel overwhelmed when they see an unmade bed, clothes, and toys strewn all over the room. Things are put together in a way or pattern that makes focusing more leisurely. This can be done with a system of things that fit together in a game, and the player can win by following specific rules and strategies. It is easier to focus. This can be done with a system of things that fit together in a game, and the player can win by following specific rules and strategies.

Photo created by an Author with an AI designer

Rules Clean-up and Organization Games

Whether you play the games for yourself, with a partner, or with children, it is essential to know the rules so the goal you and your family would like to achieve. Some games are timed or competitive. When the excitement intensifies, things can be put in piles or strung all over, which may defeat the purpose. While explaining the rules, specify where each object goes and whether it should be folded or how it should be put away. Things can be placed in a pile if the game is timed or a competition. Time, completion, scoring, and prizes can be highly motivating and fun. It is much better than beating yourself up, nagging your partner, or yelling at your kids.

Supplies

1. Timer and Alarm ( a cell phone can work)

2. Clear Boxes ( if you want things sorted

3. Trash Bags for Throwaways

4. Basket or Bins for Donating

5. Scorecards (Templates will be provided at the end of this article.

The Object of the Games

1. Break down clean-up tasks so they are not overwhelming.

2. To Make it fun for Children or Adults

3. To help family members learn ways to externally organize items when they do not know how to process this skill internally.

4. To avoid angry exchanges when homes become messy.

5. To help people who have difficulties with follow-through cleaning or organizing feel successful.

Organizational Challenges for Short Term Clean Up

1. Timed Pick-Up: This game is a great way to get started organizing. Set a timer for 10 minutes and challenge yourself and your family to pick up as many things in one category as possible. If you like, you can give each person a separate category.

Keeping Score

You can choose how many objects are picked up if you want to keep score. Use the scoresheet. You may want to give a prize after each challenge or keep a running tally; prizes can be given at the end.

2. The Match Game—This is a ten-minute timed game in which each player must find and place pairs of objects in their respective places.

Scoring- Each person gets points for how many pairs they put away.

3. The Alphabet Game: This Timed Game lasts 10 minutes. Each person is given a letter of the alphabet. During their time, they must pick up objects that start with the letter shown.

Scoring- Each person is given a point for each item they put away.

4 The Color Game — Time: Each person is given a color and must pick up items of that color in the time allotted.

Scoring- Each person is given a point for each item they put away.

5. End of Vacation or Organizing by Category: Set a timer to give each person a category of items you need to pack. In the allotted time, they must pick up items in their category, and if they are an item that will return home, put it neatly in a suitcase.

Organizational Challenges for Longer Term, Larger Cleaning Efforts or Moving!

1. The One In, One Out Game: This game is suitable for people who are becoming disorganized and have many similar problems. When someone gets a new item, they pick an old one to donate or throw away. This can be hard for some children or adults, so use your judgment to see if it is right for you. Compete with a friend or family member to see who can eliminate the most items in a week or a month. The winner gets a prize!

2. The Completion Challenge: This game suits people with trouble completing tasks. Each person is given an area in the house to clean and organize. Depending on each person’s age or ability, the area should be small enough so they don’t feel overwhelmed. It is crucial for the players to feel successful. Each person cleans and organizes their area.

Scoring- Each player gets a point for each area they organize or task completed.

3. The Sorting Game — Put out four boxes. Label each one with a category of items. Set a timer and see how many things each person can sort from the items in the room. You may want to give each person a set of containers.

Scoring- give a point for each item that is sorted correctly.

Prizes — Each person should be awarded for some aspect of their work. This will be received better than if one person wins a prize.

Benefits

The benefits of getting organized, from less stress to more free time, can make the process more enjoyable and increase everyone’s chances of sticking with it and playing the game again. Turning organizing into a game can also make it more enjoyable. Learning to clean and organize may come quickly for some people, but for those who have issues with focus, visual processing, or spatial processing, these tasks can be a nightmare.

An important reminder is that getting organized is a journey, not a destination. Organizing and cleaning do not have to cause family stress. They can be fun and educational or corrective for those with learning issues.

References

Cherry, K ( 2023)What Causes Someone to Not Clean Their House? Verywellmind .https://www.verywellmind.com/psychology-of-a-messy-roo