Being organized can set the stage for your wellness.
When the concept of "being organized as a person" is given importance, it is easier to feel at peace as an individual, family system, or even organization. Here's why I think this…
First of all, it takes patience to organize...and there are so many levels of organization a person can strive for. Not everyone needs to be perfect...right? (I’m cowering in the background)
There are so many different types of people and no one right way to do things. That is something I believe firmly. There is no "one size fits all" in life.
For me organization can be a double edged sword. In reality, it means peace for me. But in a world where I might be fighting the flow, where I may be ill at ease with myself and life, it becomes this “thing” I’m not good enough at, thereby becoming my foe.
“So what is it?”... I ask myself. A friend or a foe?
In truth, it isn’t a “thing” at all. It’s a state of being. Organization is a state of being.
“Being” organized.
As time goes on, I’ve begun to notice patterns in my life. The destructive or stagnant periods are related to actions and patterns of behavior that do not “serve” me. I live in these periods when I’m in transition in life and not feeling grounded.
I am happiest, most content, calmest, and most at peace with life and those around me when I am working in a way that allows my creativity to flow and talents to develop, and while working on a “cause” that fills me with purpose.
But how I work is not the only contributor to achieving that feeling of peace; I also need to love and respect myself as a humble creation of the universe which thrives when I feed it, water it, exercise it, and rest it - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This means knowing when to slow down and refill my cup.
Once I’ve refilled, or sometimes during that process, I’ll find myself purging and organizing my personal and work life. Yes, this also includes finally taking the time to rethink the efficiency of my laundry system!
I feel at peace when my surroundings and my “tools” are organized. There are many types of tools - tools for play/creative expression, tools for work such as my computer database, and even tools of knowledge to support effective daily, short-term, and long-term planning and goal-setting.
At the end of the day, I want my inner and outer life to support my growth as a person, and touching base with that desire always brings me to the same place…..
To take time to organize so my outer life reflects order and supports the work I do to keep my inner life in order means slowing down for a bit first. I first need to think about the big picture so I can set myself up for success.
Whoa…Slow down? That’s a hard one for me. If I slow down I may fall “out of step” and lose track of time and priorities…But if I don’t slow down, I’ll be working hard on all sorts of things but never feel like I’m really getting anywhere! It’s a vicious cycle that I’m still learning to master.
You get the gist.
Being organized is a state of being for me that I will forever be aspiring to “be in”.
Being Organized => Inner/Outer Peace <= Self-Care
I’d love to hear what it is FOR YOU!
Have a constructive opinion, comment or question you'd like to share? Feel free to add it to the comment section of this blog.
And thanks for reading! My writing is based on my own experiences. I am not a psychologist. But I have had to wrestle with sensitivity my entire life and career. I am inclined toward behavioral sciences. I have taken a lot of mental notes and watched a wide variety of dynamics play out in my direct and indirect teams. I now feel moved to write about what I've learned.
I finally feel like I'm at a place where I am happy with who I am, and confident in my ability to access my place of compassion if I'm faced with an interpersonal challenge. I hope I will be able to live up to my own expectations in life, but if I don't, I will at least be able to say I tried.
Speaking from the heart,
Alicia