Lost in the Labyrinth: Navigating Neurodivergent Clutter
Whereas a neurotypical person might adopt the “tidy as you go” attitude towards managing clutter, to the neurodivergent person the sentiment is likely much easier said than done. As we go about daily life clutter tends to emerge, sometimes as a literal labyrinth we must navigate. Its twisting corridors reflect the complexities of our neurodivergent minds. Despite best intentions to “keep it clean this time,” we find ourselves lost, with no clear path forward, only options to blindly choose from. We might feel trapped, confronted with dead-ends, the chaos of clutter obscuring our path to clarity of mind.
Each item out of place has a backstory, and purpose. Sometimes, sentimentality or object animism adds another layer of complexity to tidying up the space. A pile of unopened mail becomes another twist in the maze. A half-finished project becomes another obstacle to navigate around. Executive functioning challenges, sensory sensitivities, and difficulties with organization and decision-making only serve to make the labyrinth more daunting.
As we wander through the pathways of clutter, it's easy to become overwhelmed, to feel like there's no way out. But amidst the chaos, there are strategies to help us find our way. We can follow breadcrumbs to the exit, so to speak. Break clutter into manageable chunks, set small goals, and celebrate each step forward.
Designated Organization Zones
Let’s talk labels. Yes, actual written text stick-on labels. The prefrontal cortex of our minds, the place where executive functioning takes place, tends to become depleted more quickly than that of a neurotypical brain. Holding in mind details of “what goes where” while simultaneously sorting through the pile of unrelated knick-knacks is a task that demands a lot from our mind. Let’s say that we only have finite amounts of decision-making energy in a day to begin with. By establishing clear categories for items and setting limits on possessions, we create structure that provides an easier pathway for our minds to follow. By following visual cues, be it text or pictures, adding labels to your environment can be like adding guide-lights through the maze. Streamlining decision-making helps us navigate the twists and turns of the labyrinth, and saves brain-energy for clarity of mind.
Perception Shift
The neurodivergent mind tends to dislike ongoing/repeat tasks. As wonderful as it would be to complete grocery shopping once and be done for all time, such chores necessitate repetition, which can be perceived as toil. Instead of viewing tidying clutter as a never-ending chore, permanently on the to-do list, let’s try to perceive this as an option for expression of self-care. In this sense, each time we engage in tidying up some of the clutter is a cause for celebration. If we can take the “task” out of the task, the walls of the maze might seem to lower enough to see our way through.
Consistent Resets
Creating routines can by like finding a map of the labyrinth. Rather than the “as you go” approach, try setting aside a specific time each day to tidy up. If maintaining the time to the hour seems too rigid, try looking for a time adjacent to another activity. For example, tidy up the main living area as soon as the work-day ends. Or don’t sit down after dinner until things are put away. These rituals ground us in our journey, preventing clutter from accumulating and helping us stay focused on our goal of finding our way out of the maze.
Clear Containers and Black Bags
For things that are going to be kept long term, try to use clear bins or bags to store them in. This helps prevent the curse of “out of sight out of mind.” With that said, also try to keep surfaces clear of clutter and storage containers. Try to designate surfaces for either decoration, or active use. In terms of discarding some items ready to be let go, try using an opaque container. You can utilize the difficulty with object impermanence to your advantage, and once you have reached a moment of peace to discard or donate an item, into the unseen space it goes, safely forgotten. Try to keep black trash bags or opaque bins on hand for regular clearings.
These ideas are just scratching the surface. In reality, navigating out of the cluttered lifestyle is going to take trial and error. It might involve revisiting strategies to update them on a regular basis. It might involve lowering our standards of “clean” to something more like “gently lived in.” When you first step into a labyrinth, it seems like there is no strategy to solve it except for random luck. That is, until you learn the trick: The secret to solving any maze is always following the left wall. Or the right. Just as long as you remain consistent, the strategy will always work. Once you know the tips for managing clutter, the maze seems a lot more solvable. Just remember, it still takes time to make your way out. Some patience and tenacity is required.
Imagine our minds as fertile gardens, teeming with potential and possibility. Yet, when clutter takes root, it becomes like invasive weeds, choking the life out of our thoughts and inhibiting our growth. Executive functioning challenges, sensory sensitivities, and difficulties with organization and decision-making act as threads in a tangled knot, intertwining to create the complex tapestry of clutter that surrounds us.
But amidst the chaos, there is hope. Like guiding lights in the darkness, practical strategies emerge to illuminate our path through the cluttered labyrinth. By breaking clutter into manageable chunks, we lay breadcrumbs marking our journey, preventing overwhelm and maintaining momentum. Establishing clear categories for items becomes our map through the maze, guiding us through its twisting corridors with purpose and clarity.
Boundaries act as guideposts along our journey, helping us stay on course and avoid veering off track. Setting limits on possessions and streamlining decision-making simplify our path, reducing decision fatigue and keeping us focused on our goal. Daily habits of tidiness and organization become rituals grounding us in our journey, preventing clutter from accumulating and maintaining order in our lives.
As we navigate the labyrinth of clutter, we must remember that we are not alone in our quest. Like travelers on a shared journey, we draw strength from the support of others and the wisdom of those who have gone before us. With each step forward, we inch closer to the light at the end of the tunnel – a space free from clutter, where clarity and peace reign supreme.
Hanna Knudsen, MS CMHC, PCLC
Reference
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596