As OTs we would tend to focus on organisational skills. Here are a few tips which people have found helpful. Please comment with any additional ideas which are not on the list.
Tips for
sorting and organising
Before you
start
·
Before
you start try make categories-
these could be
very basic eg
1) Things let
go of 2)
things to keep.
·
If
you are making a longer list of
categories of things
to keep- make
sure you list
where you are planning
to store them. E.g Books-
large bookcase in living room.
·
Some people
label drawers or
cupboards with categories to keep
focussed while sorting.
·
Try
to identify the
items or categories
which are most important
you and the
items which are
less important.
·
Identify
a few very important things
(VITs) eg passport , bank
card and make
sure that they
are kept somewhere you
can find them.
·
Make
a list the
tasks you need
to do and
rank them in order of
easy to difficult.
Start with the easy tasks
first.
Develop rules for
sorting
The rules
will depend on
the individual’s situation.
Some examples;
· -OHIO -Only
Handle IT Once
· - One
in two out etc (If
you bring one
item into the
house discard two)
· -Only
keep something if you know
you are going to or
have used use it
in 6 months/
one year etc.
· - What’s
cleared stays cleared
· - Don’t
bring in things
to give to
other people
Develop a list
of questions to
ask yourself when you are deciding what
to keep you may want
to put them somewhere you
can see e.g
-Do I
already have one
of these?
-Do I
have time to use
it ?
-Do I
have space for
it?
-Have I used
it in
the past year?
-How does
it compare with the
things I value highly?
-Does
it seem
more important because I am looking at it now?
Establish
a routine around clearing
·
Identify
times of the
day when your
concentration may be better
and try to start
during these times.
·
Identify
a set time for
sorting.
·
Start
with shorter periods first - even if it is
10 minutes and slowly
build it up.
·
Some people
set an alarm to
time them while they
are clearing.
Keep organised
·
Avoid
re-populating areas you have
already cleared unless it
is a temporary
“staging” area for sorting .If
appropriate you could fence
off cleared areas for a
short time e.g a
desk or a
corner as temporarily
“no go”.
·
If
there are a lot of
things that need organising
think about 4 or
5 key categories that you keep
maintained whatever happens e.g
laundry, recycling , washing
up and post and make sure
that these are kept
in order on a
daily basis.
·
If
the floor is
covered in objects
think of putting
them in a
box first to
create more floor
space and sort
from the box.
·
Try
and make sure
the objects to
be sorted are at
a reachable level to minimise repetitive strain
of reaching .
Keep focussed
· If
you have a clear
idea how you would like
your place to
look –plan it out
in your mind
as carefully as
possible. Draw a picture
or find one of a place
that looks similar
and post it where you
can see it
·
Decide
on the area
or category you are going
to sort and stick to
it.
·
Consider
covering areas that
you are not working on with
a sheet so that
you are not distracted by
other areas you
have to clear.
- Use a brightly coloured piece of card or cloth to identify the area you need to clear, ideally choose a colour of your choice which either makes you feel calm or motivated.
- Use a brightly coloured piece of card or cloth to identify the area you need to clear, ideally choose a colour of your choice which either makes you feel calm or motivated.
·
Working
with your back
to the areas
you are not working on so
you don’t get distracted or
overwhelmed.
·
Finish
one task properly before starting the
next task.
Keep motivated
·
If
you have a clear
idea how you would like
your place to
look –,plan it out
in your mind
as carefully as
possible. Draw a picture
or find one of a place
that looks similar
and post it
were you can
see it.
·
Keep a
record or diary of
what you have achieved
each day so
you can remind
yourself of your
progress.
·
Tell someone
what you are planning to do
- sometimes talking about
it makes it
more likely to
happen.
·
If
appropriate identify someone
who will help motivate you - you should
feel comfortable with them.
Agree together the
best way of
helping you such as being
with you, helping
you carry or
giving you an encouraging phone call.
·
Link up
with others who
are in a similar situation to help
motivate you. Consider
social networking sites such as “Help
for hoarders” where you can
share your progress
and challenges and tips with
others.
·
Some people
find listening to music
helpful while they clear.
·
Take
a photograph of
your possessions and
have a look at
the photo both
in and out
of your home-
sometimes looking at it in a
different environment can
give a new perspective.
·
Think
of a symbol or mantra or
picture that will help you achieve your
goals- you could post it around the home around to
remind you.
·
Making
it fun -roll
a dice for
the day and
let go or
as many items
as the number .
· If
it is hard
to get going
think about a
five minute mini-
challenge to get
quick results for example
- Pick
up all the
pens you can find and only keep the
ones that
are working
- Collect
or your
loose coins lying and put
in collection box or
for charity
- Sort
out your handbag
or main bag
- weigh it
before and after
·
Reward
yourself afterwards .
Sources of
information
No more clutter- Sue
Kay
Buried In Treasures-
David F Tolin; Randy O Frost; Gail Steketee (2d
Ed)
Digging Out-Michael
A Tompkins; Tamara
A. Hartl
Help for Hoarders
website
