Out of sight, Out of Mind

[NotAChevy]

We all know the validity of this phrase- how hiding items where we don’t see them on a daily basis causes us to forget about them. But, how do we prevent that? How can we properly organize our homes, and closets, without forgetting about these items and replacing them the next time they’re needed?

Here’s how I have to do it, bc if I pack up things like most folks, either I don’t remember to label everything, or they (the labels) freakin’ fall off. So, I have tons of clear bins in my closets that I can see what’s in them, and the only label is a generic label to describe all the things within.

Does this work for you, or what do you do so you don’t forget what you own?

[DruidHeart]

Sometimes I do forget what I own, and finding things again later is like a treasure hunt. For the most part though, my Things have their Places. Certain drawers for certain clothes, if my wallet isn't in this place then it can (or should) only be in one of two other spots, etc.

[NotAChevy]

I’m glad to see i’m not the only one who has to keep all my stuff in certain places or I freak out and consider it lost. I thought it was some obsessive trait showing up, but maybe it’s just a coping mechanism for my adhd?

[DruidHeart]

I would call it a strategy over a coping mechanism. We are rather forgetful after all, so if you have a spot or two that you always keep the same things, they can be easier to find. So can tracing your steps if things aren't where they're supposed to be. Now, that isn't to say that it always works. There have been times that I've absent-mindedly put an item somewhere else and had to look for it for a while. For example, I went to leave the house one day with a friend and couldn't find my keys. They weren't in any of their spots, so I looked everywhere. The pants I wore before, bedside table, kitchen island, in the couch. I even checked the fridge. It turns out I had left them in the coat pocket I had worn the night before and I didn't remember until after I had left. It had been a whole three seasons since I wore that coat, so my slippery mind didn't readily remind me that I'd worn it while I was doing my frantic searching, lol.

[CoastalRealtor]

I spend countless hours organizing things and trying to keep items where I can find them. It’s hard with a family. I have a mild case of OCD as well so being organized helps both my ADHD and my OCD tendencies. I hate that labels always fall off - drives me bonkers. By literally organizing and going through things daily, I tend to have less of an issue with finding things. The funniest thing I can’t keep up with? Groceries. I have kids and they move stuff around in the freezer and fridge and pantry. I must have 10 boxes of pasta and 14 different kinds of granola bars crammed in there. Haha! Anyhow, I hope you gather some tips you can share.

[PinkPanda23]

I'm following this post because it's a big issue for me! Something we are in the the middle of doing is going thorough our entire household and purging - duplicates, things we haven't used in years, etc. What is left when we're done will have a designated space. Maybe there will even be an inventory - I love spreadsheets!

A big issue for us has been buying duplicates when we can't find the ones we have, as you said. There so much stuff! So a part of it for us is downsizing. And a system for filing/storing that makes sense to my ADHD brain, not what neurotypicals think should work for me.

Thanks for asking - I can't wait to hear the suggestions!

[NotAChevy in reply to PinkPanda23]

I've written 2 blogs about organization & room organization I hope you'll go back and read!

[PinkPanda23 in reply to NotAChevy]

How does one access them? Are they free? Thanks!

[NotAChevy in reply to PinkPanda23]

They def are free.. If you type in room organization or organization in the search bar (top middle of the main page), I should come up. Or, you should be able to just type in my name (NotAChevy) and all my entries should come up- like 10 so far.. Let me know if that works or not!

[OldIndigoBlue]

SUCH a big issue! The worst thing for me is food items. I hate the vegetable drawers because I can count on finding dead veggies in there at least several times a month. I've actually starting keeping an index card with key words about grocery items I've recently bought that need to be cooked or even just eaten so I don't forget about things, not just in the refrigerator, but in those cabinets with closed doors on them. It's a very simple tip to use an index card but it is helping. Wish it would help with procrastination on doing some big projects around my tiny apartment! But at least I can try to not waste as much food now.

[NotAChevy in reply to OldIndigoBlue]

good idea. I never would have thought of something like that