topic Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES in Home

DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

Oznell — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 14:13:37 GMT

This is not for everyone, but for those who like exploring different household organizational systems. And it was partly prompted by @rnmom 's ongoing "decluttering" thread, which I'm so happy to see is continuing this year-- I really appreciate that thread, and it gives lots of inspiration.

I thought I was naturally not very organized, although I like and have gotten tips from people like the Organized Soprano, and the Minimal Mom. They have great, useable ideas!

But the ""Clutterbug", 'Cas', online, spooked me out by having an approach that recognizes four distinct organizational styles. Hey, I actually have an organizational style! I got a shock of recognition when she talked about "Ladybug" style. It's not the typical, compartmentalized, closely ordered style, but it works for a certain kind of personality.

There's no way to do justice to all this in a puny post like mine, but I'll try to summarize, then I'll post a link to Cas herself explaining the styles in detail.

I took her quiz, but already knew from her discussions that I was a Ladybug-- and the quiz confirmed that!

Ladybugs don't want a lot of everyday objects lying out-- they want them behind closed doors. They don't want to be organized on a micro-level, with elaborate files, etc., so, having large, open bins and baskets (preferably decorative) work best for them.

I get anxious if there are too many papers, mail, etc. lying around. As Cas would say, I "crave visual simplicity".

Both Crickets and Ladybugs don't want a lot of visual clutter (although they may not be minimalists-- I know I'm not). By contrast, both Butterflies and Bees actually like having visual abundance-- they're the types that want pegboards with all their tools on display, (shudder) and open shelves, etc.

Butterflies and Ladybugs want easy, "macro", very basic organizing storage solutions, while Crickets and Bees are natural organizers who like elaborate, "micro" organizing solutions.

Here's Cas doing a better job of explaining:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYtiQhCJ574&feature=emb_logo

And for anyone interested, here's the quiz to discover your style:

https://clutterbug.me/what-clutterbug-are-you-test

It isn't yet another fun, worthless, frivolous quiz to take. Knowing your style actually helps you to find a way of organizing that you'll actually stick with, instead of giving up in despair!

I somehow got hubby to take the quiz, and yup, he's a Bee, which I also could have predicted. Very opposite of me-- he likes "visual abundance" of objects that he uses, and he LOVES complicated, elaborate filing systems, the more complicated the better, aaaaagh.

Interestingly, Cas is a Ladybug who has ADHD, and felt she had to evolve an efficient way of bringing organizational order to her household that wasn't necessarily the "textbook" way, and that she'd understand and stick with.

Edited to add: Farther down in the thread, I remembered to put Cas's own house tour with some of her decluttering, storage and organizational ideas put into practice. Thought I'd add it up here too in case some would miss it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWypmKdTICM

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

Still Raining — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 01:03:21 GMT

Heart be still! That pegboard of tools on the quiz! Best thing today!

Said the mom who fusses when DD doesn't put the clean plates on the bottom. You know like towels 😂

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

tucsongal — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 01:10:47 GMT

I guessed that I was a cricket from reading the descriptions, lo and behold I am 🦗 . Fun post!

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

Mellyg — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 01:18:09 GMT

Thank you for sharing @Oznell (and fellow Ladybug). My DH is also a bee (and drives me crazy with his "everyday items" being visibly accessible.

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

eddyandme — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 01:50:18 GMT

WOW! I'm a cricket - described me spot on!

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

Reconnaissant — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 01:56:36 GMT

@Oznell

Maybe @lolakimono will use the quiz for her coworkers.

Great thread

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

jannabelle1 — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 02:02:50 GMT

So interesting! Thanks, Oznell. I'm a Ladybug for sure, and DH leans to a Bee. No wonder he drives me nuts with that pile of stuff on his desk! If he had his way, his favorite canned "treats" (oysters and other of those little fishies!) would all be piled up on the kitchen counter so he "remembers to eat them"!! He puts them out, and I put them back in the cabinets where they belong...need I say more?! I didn't understand it before - now I do! LOL!

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

RoughDraft — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 02:05:22 GMT

I think I'm a new kind of insect!

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

Catiele — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 03:08:37 GMT

Oh I am a lady bug most of the time. I do wander at times.

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

Oznell — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 03:09:15 GMT

Agreed, it definitely is fun when you can immediately recognize yourself or loved ones in these organizational types!

I've been trying to collect a few good looking bins for "hidden storage" of my utilitarian items and even some bric-a-brac. Found a couple online at "The Container Store", and even the Q has a few options. These handsome, tailored bins, the "Sorbus Grey Twill Baskets" I found here on Q -- H 311314-- tonight are just what I need to stash my cookbooks in in kitchen, on my metal bistro shelves. I like the two-tone grey-and-tan:

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

mspatmac — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 03:37:37 GMT

🧚‍♀️

@Oznell That was fun and I pegged myself right away, I am a beautiful butterfly! I then took the quiz and it was confirmed. I'm so glad I wasn't scolded but given some really good suggestions sooooo, if I can stop fluttering around I may try a few. I have bookmarked her page so I can go back to validate my style is OK. On a positive note I already use baskets and wire racks as suggested. Thanks for posting

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

spiderw — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 03:45:24 GMT

That was an interesting informative quiz and the solutions welcome.

I am a butterfly and for the most part it fits. I do love to display all of the things I love. I have them on tables and in the breakfront and in a few curio cabinets. I am attached to many but not all.

My problem is finding outlets to donate things to. The junk isn't difficult to let go of but I have many old pieces of China, figurines, dolls and such. I cannot just throw them away or even donate them as they do have some value. However, I am not looking for a windfall at all but I would have to seek out auctions and shops who can appraise and advise.

Also as I get older, physically I don't have the energy I used to have to keep up with organizing and cleaning, but I do try my best.

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

beach-mom — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 04:35:33 GMT

Thanks @Oznell! I too am a "ladybug," which is fitting since it's been one of my "labels" since I was a young girl!

I need to accomplish a lot cleaning out this year. This pandemic has changed my life drastically, and the "plenty of time" I've had to get so much done hasn't happened yet!

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

KBEANS — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 05:37:02 GMT

I'm also a ladybug. So is my sister. it was a good quiz. I thank you for sharing it with us. I will watch some of her other videos and hopefully get some great tips. I loved her craft room. I wish my entire apartment could look like that room. 😆 Everything neatly hidden.

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

KathyM23 — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 05:37:23 GMT

@Oznell Thanks for posting. I love decluttering and organizing. After reading the descriptions, I can't pinpoint my style, I'm a combo of Ladybug and Cricket I think, except for partial visual abundance but only of decor items, not everyday used items, but I like pretty things around me.

When I have more time tomorrow, I'm going to take the quiz and watch the video. Sounds very interesting to me.

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

SouthernBee — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 11:52:48 GMT

@Oznell : Thanks. That was fun. I am a lady bug. My style depends on how I feel and if I have any energy to organize. My middle bed room was turned into my room for various reasons. Have two commercial shelves- one for household items and decorations and the other a food pantry. Plus filling cabinets, recumbent bike and table for working and tax prep. Have spent the last two days getting ready for tax prep since the appointment is in early February. Then I plan to do a major purge and reorganize. The room still looks cluttered but have a small house with very little storage space.

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

Bri369 — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 12:32:23 GMT

I suspect I'm a Ladybug.

I don't hide or shove items or let things pile up. I watched The Home Edit on Netflix, and it made organizing so much easier for me.

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

software — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 13:31:14 GMT

If I can't see it, I don't remember having it or where it's located.

I think it's just the way my brain operates, very little to do with style or habit.

So I've had to develop creative but neat ways to keep my stuff organized.

Paperwork is easy, it's either in the safe or the file cabinet.

But everything else is a chore.

Things don't look so bad in clever baskets.

Even at that, I have to do an inventory every now & then to remind me what I have & where it is.

I don't use my linen closet daily. But when I do I find all kinds of forgotten items, like extra bottles of shampoo. Same with the pantry.

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

Oznell — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 14:11:31 GMT

These varied responses are so interesting! Thanks for sharing those.

I should have posted her house tour that Cas did a few weeks ago-- it puts a lot of her theory into action.

She proclaims that her home is not a "showplace", not "pinterest-worthy" (but I think it is adorable, and so "her").

Admittedly, she has somewhat different needs in her place, since she's in her early forties, and still has children in school with all their multiple backpack, "toy and collectible" issues to deal with...

But there are neat ideas for lots of different situations, I think, and it's just fun to see:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWypmKdTICM

Re: DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES

caroln242 — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 14:15:41 GMT

Since I know I'm a little OCD, it's no surprise...I'm a cricket. Unfortunately, my husband has no organizational style whatsoever. I tried organizing the garage once. He couldn't find anything after that and told me to "leave his stuff alone"!! Suffice to say, you have to carefully pick your way through the garage to get to the car.