Does Disorganization Affect Your Mental Health?
Today’s guest blog is by Time is Sweet!
You probably started reading this blog thinking we were going to talk about physical organization. Don’t worry, you aren’t completely wrong. In fact, when you are mentally disorganized, physical disorganization is a natural by-product. A question I have for you is: How do we lose our organization function? If we didn’t lose it, how do we contribute positively to our own mental organizational functions? Well, Let’s explore this together!
Let me start by saying, what happened? 2020 hit us like a ton of bricks. We went from our “normal” schedules to something so far off from where we imagined we would be. You may have lost a job, had to work virtually, or maybe you stayed in an essential industry and were busier than ever. Whatever changes 2020 brought you, it most likely has set your mental equilibrium off…a ton!
Okay, let’s jump right into schedules. I know, I know, you may not think schedules are a culprit, but I’m here to tell you they may be the “Head-Honcho” of mental disorganization. Schedules and time management are functions that we use to stay mentally organized. We go to bed at night and wake in the morning, eat breakfast in the morning, and we make doctors’ appointments and show up. Schedules keep us on task.
Many people lost a routine during 2020 (and may still be trying to find their footing). The structure of routine helps us plan and look forward to what is coming up next. Having events and routine is healthy because it affirms that we have a sense of control in our own lives. Sometimes, even a small semblance of control keeps us grounded.
Another way we may get mentally disorganized is by taking on more than we should. Take note, I did not say you could not “handle” it. I am sure you may have been operating fine at max capacity. You may have even been doing a fantastic job. How are you feeling? Stressed? Overwhelmed? Are you putting off important projects because you can only handle the day-to-day operations? If so, my friend, it is time to cut back or delegate.
Maybe your schedule has gone from jam-packed to non-existent. Now that you have “all the time in the world” you do not feel like being organized or making plans. Those dishes in the sink are uninteresting and the thought of doing them is overwhelming. Sometimes the lack of a plan can cause us to think about all the things we should do, want to do, or need to do, but no motivation to do them. This is because we do not know where to begin. Even our thoughts are disorganized!
How can we get organized to improve our mental health? A few small steps at a time. Here is a small list of things you can do to start getting organized.
A SCHEDULE
In other words: plan and document. You may not always need to do this, but writing or typing out your schedule for the day/week/month will give you focus. Instead of running through a million scenarios day and night, you can clear your thoughts knowing that you have your thoughts in a safe place.
DON’T PROCRASTINATE.
This one is hard. When we are in the habit of procrastinating, we tend to let everything go until the last minute. Then, when we finally need to complete the task, we feel more behind and disorganized than ever. Most often, we don’t deliver our best work, and we feel stress long after we complete the task. Instead, let your schedule work for you. Add your tasks to a schedule and check the task off as you go.
I created free editable schedule templates for you! Click here: https://cutt.ly/RkdJ90d
TAKE INITIATIVE TO MAKE PLANS AND KEEP THEM
Although you may feel overwhelmed, having an activity to look forward to can inspire hopeful anticipation. This can be as simple as planning to take a 10-minute walk every day after dinner. Not only is physical exercise good for you, but it will give you an opportunity to clear your mind.
DELEGATE WHEN YOU CAN
You may be overwhelmed with chores, work, or family obligations. If you feel like your household chores are out of control, assign duties to your kids, significant other, or (if you can) hire a cleaning service. It is okay to utilize our resources.
When it comes to work, a calendar is your best friend for getting and staying organized. When you need an extra set of hands and a co-worker offers to help, let them help you.
If you are self-employed, hire a Virtual Assistant. They are less expensive than hiring a full-time employee and can do most tasks from home. Virtual Assistants also can work for as long or as little as you need them.
In conclusion, remember to take care of your mental health. If life is overwhelming, it’s always a good idea to talk to someone with experience to help you work through your problems. My favorite place to talk to a professional counselor is Mindful Counseling and Supervision PLLC (mindfulsupervision.com). They offer great counseling services (even virtual).
Take care!
