Oh wow, this post basically threw me over the edge of going from free to paid subscription. I'm pretty sure I've been an organizer/minimalist my whole life but didn't have words for it until my early 20's. It's really nice to find people who enjoy the simplification systemization of living spaces and I love your reference to that level of it being a "hobby" because it totally is. Functionality is beneficial overall for just about everyone, but it doesn't have to be aesthetic unless you want it to be. (No shame for if you don't, i.e. the hobby part!)
Love this so much. I 💯 have been the mom scrubbing the grout when my husband has taken the kids to the park. Do I question my sanity? I used to. But I’ve come to realize (and embrace) it’s just what the shower and my soul needs at that moment.
I was that kid who spent hours and hours meticulously organizing and now looking back it was definitely because my parents were very unorganized and maybe that had some influence. As an adult my organizing habit has fused with a hobby to organize things in an aesthetic way
I haven't even finished reading this yet but I feel SO SEEN!! I love organizing and have since I was a kid too. I didn't know it was allowed to be a hobby, so thank you, I feel like I've been given permission!!
A couple years ago I asked my mom what kinds of activities I enjoyed as a child (I think I was reading something about "finding your play"). I was surprised when, in addition to reading, arts and crafts, etc., one thing she mentioned was... organizing. "What? Organizing?" I said. Yes, she said matter-of-factly, you'd alphabetize your bookshelf, rearrange your stuffed animals, that sort of thing.
I was pretty surprised to hear this at the time, but yeah, it absolutely makes sense. My boyfriend, who lives with me, even joked recently that organizing is a hobby of mine (he's ahead of the curve!). I feel a deep sense of calm after we've picked up the whole house for the housecleaner to work. Sometimes when I get high it brings me great pleasure to pull all the food out of the pantry and rearrange it. All the signs are there!!
And I do like reframing it as a hobby or interest of mine. It heads off the impulse to call it "neurotic" or something. It's just something I enjoy!
Oh -- and I also did a few big rearranges of the furniture in my room as a child, usually in the middle of the night. Sounds like we were kindred spirits!
This resonates with me so much. The connection between anxiety and organization is so strong for me. It’s not really about cleaning, though I do clean. Thanks for writing this ❤️
Oh wow, this post basically threw me over the edge of going from free to paid subscription. I'm pretty sure I've been an organizer/minimalist my whole life but didn't have words for it until my early 20's. It's really nice to find people who enjoy the simplification systemization of living spaces and I love your reference to that level of it being a "hobby" because it totally is. Functionality is beneficial overall for just about everyone, but it doesn't have to be aesthetic unless you want it to be. (No shame for if you don't, i.e. the hobby part!)
Love this so much. I 💯 have been the mom scrubbing the grout when my husband has taken the kids to the park. Do I question my sanity? I used to. But I’ve come to realize (and embrace) it’s just what the shower and my soul needs at that moment.
I love all the tile scrubbers coming out with this post!
I was that kid who spent hours and hours meticulously organizing and now looking back it was definitely because my parents were very unorganized and maybe that had some influence. As an adult my organizing habit has fused with a hobby to organize things in an aesthetic way
I haven't even finished reading this yet but I feel SO SEEN!! I love organizing and have since I was a kid too. I didn't know it was allowed to be a hobby, so thank you, I feel like I've been given permission!!
I feel so seen that you feel so seen! <3
Thank you for this perspective and candor!
A couple years ago I asked my mom what kinds of activities I enjoyed as a child (I think I was reading something about "finding your play"). I was surprised when, in addition to reading, arts and crafts, etc., one thing she mentioned was... organizing. "What? Organizing?" I said. Yes, she said matter-of-factly, you'd alphabetize your bookshelf, rearrange your stuffed animals, that sort of thing.
I was pretty surprised to hear this at the time, but yeah, it absolutely makes sense. My boyfriend, who lives with me, even joked recently that organizing is a hobby of mine (he's ahead of the curve!). I feel a deep sense of calm after we've picked up the whole house for the housecleaner to work. Sometimes when I get high it brings me great pleasure to pull all the food out of the pantry and rearrange it. All the signs are there!!
And I do like reframing it as a hobby or interest of mine. It heads off the impulse to call it "neurotic" or something. It's just something I enjoy!
You completely hit the nail on the head: if it's a hobby then we don't have to think of it as a personality flaw. It's just a preference!
Oh -- and I also did a few big rearranges of the furniture in my room as a child, usually in the middle of the night. Sounds like we were kindred spirits!
If only young me had known there was someone else out there rearranging their furniture too!
This resonates with me so much. The connection between anxiety and organization is so strong for me. It’s not really about cleaning, though I do clean. Thanks for writing this ❤️
Also, I 100% did a lot of late-night rearranging as a kid!
A special club!