Man 20 Minutes Into Organizing Shelves Becomes Grimly Aware Of What Chaos He Has Wrought

Sophia Moonstone

Updated Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 12:00 AM CDT

In a scene that many can painfully relate to, a man stands amidst a whirlwind of clutter, reflecting the all-too-familiar nightmare of organizing gone wrong. The image, sourced from the satirical news website "The Onion," captures the essence of this common household ordeal.

The article, dated Sunday, August 18, 2024, showcases a man in a blue t-shirt holding a book, his expression a mix of puzzlement and regret. Surrounding him is an explosion of books and miscellaneous items, strewn haphazardly across the room. A black TV and an overcrowded shelving unit loom in the background, emphasizing the chaos.

This humorous yet relatable piece struck a chord with many, as evidenced by the myriad of comments it garnered. One user lamented, "Why does your energy and motivation ALWAYS disappear the moment you take the last thing out of the closet or off the shelves?" Another shared the overwhelming experience of decluttering, "These past two weeks I have been organizing closets and shelves and just... getting rid of a lot of junk I have no idea why I kept around for so long."

The comments also offered some wisdom on tackling such daunting tasks. One user advised against "big-bang organizing," suggesting instead to "organize one thing to the end." This method ensures that even if motivation wanes, the work completed remains intact.

For many, organizing is not just a chore but a therapeutic activity. "I love organizing, it’s like crack to me. It’s so satisfying to take a mess and turn it into something neat and tidy," expressed one enthusiast. The sense of accomplishment and the transformation of chaos into order can indeed be immensely gratifying.

However, the task is not without its pitfalls. One user humorously recounted an attempt to organize a spouse’s bookshelf, only to quickly regret the decision. Another highlighted the struggles of maintaining focus, attributing it to ADHD and the challenge of sustaining dopamine levels during extended organizing sessions.

The headline from "The Onion" perfectly encapsulates the plight of those who dare to dive into the abyss of clutter. "Man 20 Minutes Into Organizing Shelves Becomes Grimly Aware Of What Chaos He Has Wrought" serves as a humorous reminder of the trials and tribulations faced during such endeavors. It’s a scenario that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever found themselves knee-deep in a sea of disarray, questioning the wisdom of their organizational ambitions.

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View source: Reddit

Top Comments from Reddit

theb****1

Started organizing the garage. Have thrown away 3 bins of trash/items. Put up two wire celing racks. Had a 240 volt plug installed by an electrician. Installed a new LED fan light. Now I'm drywalling the outer wall. It's been 3 months.

Sassy_Weatherwax

Why does your energy and motivation ALWAYS disappear the moment you take the last thing out of the closet or off the shelves? I swear if you ever needed to come down off a meth bender really fast, all you would need to do is decide to organize your closet and take everything out.

taxiecabbie

Oh, God, it's too relatable. These past two weeks I have been organizing closets and shelves and just... getting rid of a lot of junk I have no idea why I kept around for so long. Like, I'm not even forcing myself to make difficult decisions. Still filled two giant black garbage bags with clothes, two crates of books, and just, endless piles of charger cords I have no idea what they are for. It's insane. An entire drawer of mystery cords. There's always that point of despair when you get like 30% into the job and it just seems like you've consigned yourself to hell.

RiChessReadit

I love organizing, it’s like crack to me. It’s so satisfying to take a mess and turn it into something neat and tidy. It makes the space so much more relaxing to be in/around. I’m not OCD about cleaning by *any* stretch of the imagination, but I do feel mentally sharper and just better when my space is organized and clean.

Rexzar

My wife has 2 full bookshelves, to try to do something nice I decided I would take off all the books and organize them alphabetical and by author for her, boy did I regret that fast.

Working-Ad694

regretting those life choices

lavaeater

It is called ADHD guys and if you do this, get checked up. I have wrought so much chaos into different parts of my life by simply running out of dopamine when everything is in f***ing shambles. The solution? Do **not** do big-bang organizing. Organize one thing to the end. Sort of like organizing your laundry, folding clean clothes, don't bring all of it from the laundry room to your bed and do it all. Fold t-shirts one at a time and put in the drawer (like Kondo does, I do it, it works), so that when you are out of energy and motivation, everything you have done is actually 100% completed work. Does not work for everything, but keep it in mind: can I do this task to finish? The worst is having to put everything back in worse order than before because it's starting to rain or something...

rathemighty

I've always been fond of [‘Paw Patrol’ Writers Defend Episode Where German Shepherd Cop Shoots Unarmed Black Lab 17 Times In Back](https://theonion.com/paw-patrol-writers-defend-episode-where-german-shephe-1828419524/)

Careless_Bother_3995

i'm utterly obsessed with organizing. There's something incredibly satisfying about transforming chaos into order. It's like watching a puzzple come together piece by piece. A tidy space is a tranquil sanctuary for me. While I'm no cleanliness fanatic, having a well-organized environment undountedly boosts my focus and overall well-being

radnog

Been there. Take everything out, put back 90%. Still a win, but humbling considering time spent.

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