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ORGANIZING WITH PILES

Are you ready to talk about one of the most iconic traits of neurodiversity? That's right, we're talking about organizing with piles! Yay! My brain LOVES piles!

Pile of sweaters on a chair

Now, if you're anything like me, you might feel like you're a bit of a mess (I'm looking at you, pile of clothes on the chair next to my bed). But here's the thing: for many of us, piles can actually be a form of organization. It might sound crazy, but hear me out.


Think about it: when everything is scattered and put away in different places, it can be hard for us to remember where we put things. But when we have piles of similar items or similar timelines in one spot, we can quickly and easily find what we need. It's like our brains are wired to remember the visual cues of the piles. There's something so satisfying about seeing a stack of papers or books all neatly arranged, ready to be tackled. It's like we're creating our own little world of order amidst the chaos!


But I know what you're thinking: what about the dreaded "pile-up?" You know, when the piles get out of control and start to take over our entire living space. You might find yourself surrounded by piles of things that seem to multiply overnight. It's a real struggle, but there are plenty of fun and creative ways to organize those pesky piles!


Here are some of my personal favorites:

  1. The "Dump and Sort" Method - This is a classic technique that involves dumping everything out of the pile and sorting it into smaller, more manageable piles. It's a great way to see everything you're dealing with and can help you identify items that can be donated or tossed.

  2. The "Bribe Yourself" Method - Let's face it, organizing can be tedious. But it doesn't have to be! Try setting a goal for yourself (e.g. finishing one pile) and then rewarding yourself with something you enjoy (e.g. a piece of dark chocolate, a favorite TV show, etc.). It's a great way to stay motivated and make the process more enjoyable.

  3. The "Zone" System: Divide your space into zones and assign each pile to a specific zone. For example, your desk could be a zone for work-related papers, while your bed could be a zone for clothes. This system helps you visually recognize where things belong.

  4. The "Stack and Sort" Method: Sort piles by color or size, and then stack them in a way that pleases your brain. For example, you might stack books by size or color, or clothes by texture or material.

  5. The "Theme" Strategy: Organize piles based on a theme that makes sense to you. For example, you could group papers by project or topic, or clothes by occasion or season.

  6. The "Bin" Solution: Use bins or boxes to contain your piles, and label them clearly. This system is great for those who like to see things visually and who need clear boundaries between different items.

  7. The "Timeline" Approach: Sort piles based on the timeline of when you need to deal with them. For example, you might create a "now" pile for urgent items, a "later" pile for things that can wait, and a "someday" pile for items that, most likely, will never receive attention. wink wink

Organizing with piles might not be the most conventional method, but it works for us! Of course, not everyone understands this unique approach to organization. Some people might see our piles and think we're just lazy or messy. But we know better, don't we? We know that our piles serve a purpose, and that there's a method to our madness! wink wink


So embrace your piles, and if anyone tries to tell you that your piling is just a sign of laziness, you can tell them that it's actually a highly effective (and stylish) form of big-brain-energy, organization!

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