I recently found out about Clutter Bug. She observed while working with clients that different people prefer to organize in different ways and she came up with 4 different organizer types. Knowing your organizer type will help you better understand yourself, aid you in your decluttering and organizing journey, and support you in maintaining your organizational systems into the future.
The four types are based off of two different spectrums:
Micro Organizing vs. Macro Organizing
Micro vs. Macro basically means how detailed you prefer your categories to be. Micro organizers prefer to have smaller, more specialized categories while macro organizers prefer to have larger, more general categories. For example, a micro organizer may have their filing cabinets sorted by general categories, sub categories, & by date, whereas a macro organizer would probably prefer just to organize their documents by general categories. Micro organizers are more detail oriented when it comes to organizing, while macro organizers think of the big picture. Micro organizers don't mind spending time organizing and putting things away, and macro organizers prefer to spend less time putting things away so they can do other things.
Visual Organizing vs. Hidden Organizing
Visual vs. Hidden refers to if you prefer to have things out or behind closed doors. Visual organizers need to see their items or else they will forget about them. Meanwhile hidden organizers prefer their items to be out of sight in order to have a more visually minimal space, they may find too much visual clutter to be mentally exhausting.
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The four organizer types:
Micro Hidden - The Cricket
Mirco Hidden Organizers like their items tucked away into specialized categories. They may be known as "neat freaks." This is probably because they are so detail oriented. Most organizing systems you see online and in stores are designed for Micro Hidden Organizers. Their main clutter problem is actually setting up their systems. Crickets may shove everything into cupboards and closets until their elaborate systems are in place. But, once their systems are set up, they usually have no problem consistently put their items away where they belong.
Micro Visual - The Bee
Micro Visual Organizers like their items where they can see them and organized into specialized categories. They are detail oriented, like Micro Hidden Organizers, but they will forget about items that are out of sight. The Bee's main problem is, like Crickets, is actually setting up their complicated systems. However, instead of shoving things out of sight, they will probably leave piles out everywhere until their systems are ready. But, once their systems are set up, they tend to be perfectionists and keep things neat and put away.
Macro Hidden - The Ladybug
Macro Hidden Organizers like their items out of sight and organized into more general categories. Unlike micro organizers, they are big picture oriented and detailed systems are overwhelming. The Marco Hidden Organizer's main problem is they tend to shove things anywhere if it's too complicated to properly put something away. Organizing has to be quick and easy for Ladybugs. But, once they have an easy to use organizing system, they can learn to use it every time.
Macro Visual - The Butterfly
Macro Visual Organizers like their items out where they can see them and organized into more general categories. They are big picture oriented and are they are not overwhelmed by visual abundance. Their main issue is they tend to leave items out wherever they last used them. They don't want to take time to put things away if it takes too much effort or time. This type may be known for being messy. However, the good news is, once Butterflies have a simple organizing system, they can learn to use it consistently.
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If your organizing type didn't jump off the page screaming "THIS IS TOTALLY ME!", you can take the ClutterBug Type Quiz.
For more content about your type and how to organize for your style, check out the ClutterBug Organizing Style YouTube Playlist.
Which organizing type are you? Comment below!
P.S. I'm definitely a Micro Hidden Organizer.