There is a phrase attributed to Benjamin Franklin that says, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” This means putting things back where they belong after using them. It emphasizes order and organization. When I think of the word “order,” I usually think of “the formal arrangement of things.” This includes organizing people or tasks to be done. There are many definitions for order that the website vocabulary.com has detailed in a clear and sensible way.
This week, school has started in many parts of the state. There have been several news segments about how parents can help their children prepare for the first day. Some of those news segments feature reestablishing sleep patterns 1-2 weeks before the start of school, so that children are setting a routine for bedtime and rest. This includes selecting and setting out the clothes for the next day so there is less rushing and stress in the morning. There have been segments about helping children reduce anxiety so they can feel calm and collected amid the first day jitters, while they are learning their schedule and hoping that they fit in. All these practices have been suggested by professionals who would understand what it is like to have a family with different schedules or those who work with lots of children. I turn to people who are organized when I need help and try to integrate good habits consistently. It hasn’t been easy.
There is a scripture that I turn to when I need help getting myself together. It is from Psalm 37:23 (translation by me) “The steps of the godly are ordered by the Lord. God delights in the one who seeks His wisdom.” God designed creation in a way that reflects order. So, I ask for supernatural help when I have been avoiding something or simply dragging my feet. I suspect that many have some area in their lives that is messy or chaotic. It could be cleaning out a closet, file cabinet, or the infamous junk drawer. Being organized could also include things like time management and preparing for work and school or a special project.
According to Smithsonian Magazine, being tidy has long been a national virtue that existed before the organization movement. Being organized has often been tied to being clean and healthy in our homes and our hygiene. Being tidy has also been associated with public health throughout the years. There is much to be said for practicing a well-ordered life.
Tidying expert and bestselling author, Marie Kondo, sparked a worldwide movement of organization when she emphasized the question, “Does this (item) bring me joy?” before making the decision to keep something or toss it. It is amazing how attached we get to our stuff. Asking ourselves why we are holding on to things we have forgotten about or don’t use is important in checking our motivation for buying things in the first place. Then when we keep the things that we like and that are useful to have, our home becomes a more functional space.
There are many benefits to being organized. Knowing where things are avoids unnecessary searching, thus freeing up time to do other things. Time is managed more efficiently and workflow is streamlined. If you struggle with organization like I do, there are several websites that can help with being organized. There are many systems offered to help us cope with clutter and eradicate it altogether. They help you examine what keeps you attached to the things that you aren’t using and provide strategies on what to keep and what to discard.
There are some studies that claim that a messy room is a sign of creativity or genius. Some people thrive on chaos and feel less inhibited by clutter. More often, the mess points out whether the occupant has a busy schedule or is preoccupied. There are also people who may be depressed or have serious mental disorders that can lead to neglect or hoarding. If they are unhappy or feeling distress about themselves or their space, then they should consult the right professional to help them. There’s something for everyone. I hope that I will find the right approach for me. Being organized is not just “picking up things off the floor before guests arrive for dinner”, as stated in Marie Kondo’s website. Being organized is a habit that frees you to focus on the present. That is the sign of a well-ordered life.
