The Clutter Connection - Cassandra Aarssen

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full. How do I find my important files? By searching for them in my file browser and hoping like heck I’ll remember what I saved them as.

      Would a more detailed and categorized file system actually work for me? Not likely. I’ve set up so many different systems in the past, and they all end up getting tossed into the “desktop rando stuff” folder eventually. I really want to get my computer perfectly organized, but, the truth is, I don’t take the time to save and file things that way…it’s just not me. I wish it was, I’ve tried to change, but in the end, it just never sticks. Instead, I need simple desktop folders for “photos,” “marketing,” “blog posts,” “videos,” etc., where I can drag and drop things and back them up to the server in case I accidentally delete something important. As much as I want to be a detailed person who loves organizational abundance, I need fast and simple solutions for everyday use. Should I feel bad about this and beat myself up over it? Of course not; life is too short to cry over file folders. It works for me, and that is all that matters.

      It’s time to let go of those preconceived notions of how things are “supposed” to look and how we are “supposed” to act. Just let ’em go.

      Now it is time to take the Clutterbug test.

      But first, some instructions:

      Be honest! Set aside your fantasy self. We don’t need that person to answer questions. You won’t learn anything constructive or useful from him or her. You will only be picking the answers that describe what you aspire to be or what you should be, instead of looking at who and where you are right now. Maybe you love the idea of having perfectly organized closets with your clothing arranged by style, season, and color. Maybe you tell yourself that you will make this happen…someday…when you have more time, money, or space. If your clothing is currently in a heap on the floor, then the detailed and perfectly organized closet is your fantasy self, not your real-life self. Sometimes the expectations we put on ourselves are so ridiculous that they are completely unattainable. The only thing an unattainable goal will do is make us hate ourselves and be the excuse we rely on for never getting started.

      It’s time we design our homes and plan our lives based on who we really are and what really works for us, but that’ll only happen if you are honest. I’m going to hold up a mirror and show you who you are, and I will show you how to use the inherent strengths of your bug to overcome your weaknesses. This isn’t your traditional self-help book, designed to morph you into a better and shinier version of yourself. You are already amazing just the way you are, so answer the test honestly and take that step to becoming the badass home boss that you are destined to be.

      One last note: When taking the test, realize that the state of your home is a combination of ALL the styles living there, including your spouse and children. When answering the following questions, think about the spaces that are predominantly maintained by you, as this will help you to get a better understanding of your own Clutterbug style. Let’s get started!

      What Is Your Unique Organizing Style?

      You can also find this test on my website at

      www.clutterbug.com.

      You enjoy reading:

      1.Magazines or blogs with lots of pictures.

      2.Nonfiction books.

      3.Fiction books.

      4.Newspapers or how-to books.

      You find your biggest clutter issue is:

      1.I have “stuff” everywhere.

      2.Paper and important items.

      3.Inside closets, cabinets, and spare rooms.

      4.I hold onto too many things that may be useful in the future.

      Your home usually looks:

      1.A bit cluttered with things I use and love on display.

      2.Tidy, with occasional piles of papers or things I haven’t gotten to yet.

      3.Very clean and tidy, but behind closed doors, closets and drawers can be a mess.

      4.A bit cluttered with projects or items I am still using in some areas.

      You find it hard to get rid of:

      1.Things I find beautiful or love to look at.

      2.Items that were expensive or still in good condition.

      3.Sentimental items.

      4.Supplies, tools, and other items that are still useful.

      Your room usually looks:

      1.Filled with my favorite things and items I use often.

      2.Relatively tidy, but I sometimes have piles that I need to deal with.

      3.Clutter-free for the most part, but closets, drawers, and hidden areas are a mess.

      4.A bit cluttered with daily-use items that I leave out.

      When it comes to cleaning your home, you generally:

      1.Have to spend time tidying my home before I can clean it.

      2.Keep my home clean and tidy.

      3.Have a pretty clean house, and I enjoy tidying it.

      4.Want to have a really clean home, but piles sometimes get in the way.

      Your ideal craft room:

      1.Bright and colorful, with all my supplies displayed in pretty containers on shelving.

      2.Everything organized perfectly in separate containers inside cabinets.

      3.Everything stored out of sight except for a few pretty accessories.

      4.All my tools perfectly organized and easy to access on a pegboard.

      When it comes to your home’s appearance, you prefer:

      1.Bright, fun, and full of visual abundance.

      2.Minimal visual clutter and very functional.

      3.Pretty, inviting, with minimal visual clutter.

      4.Visual, functional, and organized.

      Organizing systems that work best for you are:

      1.Visual systems that are fast and easy to use, like hooks or open baskets on a shelf.

      2.Detailed systems that are hidden, such as file cabinets or subdivided compartments.

      3.Hidden systems that are easy to use, such as baskets in the closet or drawer dividers.

      4.Visual systems that are carefully organized, such as pegboards or clear drawers.

      Your biggest organizing challenge is:

      1.I don’t like to hide things out of sight; I’m afraid I will forget about them.

      2.I just haven’t scheduled time to organize some areas efficiently.

      3.I tend to neglect hidden areas in my home, like storage rooms.

      4.I hate putting things away that I am just going to take out again later.

      If a friend called and said they were coming over in ten minutes, you would:

      1.Make a mad dash, grabbing as much clutter as I can.

      2.Neaten slightly.

      3.Wipe counters, hide any mess, and scrub the bathrooms in a hurry.

      4.Finish up whatever it was I was working on.

      You prefer your daily-use items:

      1.Out where I can easily use them and not misplace them.

      2.Organized properly

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