The Emotional - Organizational

Sliding Scale

Personalities and the homes they create exist on what I like to call a sliding “Emotional Organization Scale” This scale runs from the absolute minimalist to the extreme clutter. Most of us exist somewhere in the middle of these extremes. 

To use my own life as an example, I grew up with a “lived-in but clutter free” home. Book bags were stored in a specific spot in the laundry room and dishes were put in the dishwasher immediately, but there was memorabilia and family photos on the wall and the occasional mess in the family room. 

My sister lives in a very minimalist home. Very few things on the walls or shelves, no such thing as decorative pillows, and an overall simple aesthetic. And I myself, though well organized, live in a home with walls covered in children’s artwork, a console table dedicated exclusively to family photos, and emotionally-important memorabilia liberally (though deliberately) placed through the house. 

All three of us exist on this scale. My sister and I are on opposite ends, while my mother lands somewhere in the middle. The first thing to do is identify where you exist emotionally, then you can identify where you will be happiest organizationally. The trick is being honest, and meeting yourself where you are. Are you emotionally happy when you can see all of your important things out and about your home, or does having photos on the wall make you feel claustrophobic? Ignore what you think your home “should” look like: instead think about what makes you feel comfortable and mentally at ease.