Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
In a world where we’re constantly told that organization is the key to success, many of us strive to plan every aspect of our lives. However, excessive organization can hinder creativity, lead to burnout and strain relationships. Finding a balance between structure and spontaneity is key to a fulfilling life.
Overorganization tends to suffocate creativity because when every aspect of life is planned down to the minute, there’s no room left for spontaneous moments. Creativity is key in life, as it opens the mind and broadens our perspectives, and when you stick to a strict schedule, there is little time to be creative. The more we structure our days, the less space there is for those unplanned moments of joy and excitement. Thus, over-organizing can turn our lives into a series of tasks to complete rather than experiences to enjoy.
This then leads to over-organizing becoming an all-consuming activity. Commonly, people think organization leads to greater efficiency, but overorganization can have the opposite effect. The time spent managing an overflowing to-do list can end up taking more energy than just completing the tasks at hand.
If you’re not careful, overorganization could lead to the paradox of choice, in which having too many options leads us to being less satisfied with our decision. So instead of simplifying our lives, we trap ourselves in a cycle of overthinking and are unable to choose anything because we have overcomplicated our choices.
Furthermore, planning every detail of our lives sets us up for disappointment when things don’t go according to plan. It is so easy to get one’s mind set in a certain headspace, but as soon as something goes wrong, the headspace completely shifts into a void of negativity.
With that, the pressure to maintain perfect organization quickly burn us out. The constant feeling of needing to be on top of everything can exhaust us because no one can be perfectly organized all the time. This makes everything feel like a chore, and a lot of the time, we simply complete the task just to check it off, rather than engaging in whatever it is the task has to offer. The continuous need for perfection can stop us from embracing the uncertain, imperfect nature of life, which can ultimately lead to frustration and dissatisfaction, and all tie back to the importance of creativity and spontaneity.
Overorganization affects many areas of our lives, but its impact on relationships is especially significant. Relationships thrive on unplanned moments, last-minute outings and experiences that aren’t written on your calendar. But when we overschedule ourselves, it can feel like there’s no room for genuine connection with others. We get so caught up in our lives and focused on what we need to complete next that we don’t even realize that we are pushing our loved ones away.
So rather than obsessing over cumbersome organization, focus on balance because life requires both structure and freedom. A little bit of organization can be perfect for planning how and when to get things done, but too much structure can lead to burnout. The key is to find the balance between being organized enough to be productive but still leaving enough room for flexibility.
The constant chase for structure can suspend creativity, create unnecessary stress and reduce our ability to adapt to life’s surprises. We should all recognize that that life is not about having everything planned down to the last detail but about finding joy in the unplanned moments and whatever comes our along our path.
Next time you find yourself overwhelmed by your to-do list, take a moment to step back. Ask yourself if this schedule is truly serving you or if it’s time to embrace the uncertainty that may lead to the most memorable experiences.
Reach Charlotte Seymour at letters@collegian.com or on Twitter @CSUCollegian.
