Identifying Physical, Emotional, and Perceived Obstacles to Getting Organized
If you’ve ever felt like you can’t get organized no matter how hard you try, it’s easy to assume the problem is time, energy, or motivation.
But often, the real issue is much simpler and more complex at the same time.
There are things in your way.
In this conversation, Miriam Ortiz y Pino from More Than Organized breaks down the different types of obstacles that keep people stuck. And once you start recognizing them, it becomes much easier to take back control of your space and your routines.
Physical obstacles
Most people immediately think of physical clutter.
The items that fall out of cabinets, the piles of paper on the counter, the things you have to move just to get to what you actually need.
These are the most visible barriers, and they tend to create the most overwhelm because they are constantly in your line of sight.
The good news is that physical obstacles are also the easiest to change.
You can move them. You can reduce them. You can create systems that make your space more functional so that your home supports you instead of slowing you down.
Even small changes can make a noticeable difference in how your day flows.
Emotional obstacles
But physical clutter is only one piece of the puzzle.
Emotional obstacles often sit just beneath the surface.
These can show up as feelings of overwhelm, exhaustion, or even avoidance. Sometimes they are tied to past experiences or a lack of confidence in your ability to make changes.
You may not even realize they’re influencing your decisions, but they can quietly keep you stuck in the same patterns.
Perceived obstacles
Then there are perceived obstacles.
These are the stories you tell yourself about what you can and can’t do.
Thoughts like:
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“I don’t have time”
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“I’m not organized”
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“I can’t say no”
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“This will never work for me”
These beliefs feel real, but they are not always grounded in reality.
In many cases, they become the excuses that prevent you from taking action.
Where to start
This is where awareness becomes key.
When you start to notice the difference between what is physically in your way and what is simply perceived to be in your way, you begin to reclaim a sense of control.
And that control is what allows you to move forward.
You may not be able to change everything at once, but you can start with what is directly in front of you.
Clearing a surface. Creating a single home for frequently used items. Reducing the friction in your daily routines.
These small, practical steps build momentum and help shift your mindset over time.
What happens next
As you take action on the physical obstacles, something else happens.
You begin to challenge the perceived ones.
You gather evidence that you are capable of making changes.
And that creates a feedback loop that makes future decisions easier.
Over time, this process helps you move from feeling stuck to feeling in control.
A simple place to begin
If you’re not sure where to start, ask yourself one simple question:
What do I keep saying is in my way?
Listen to the answers. Notice the patterns.
Then take one small step to remove or rethink one of those obstacles.
Because the more you focus on what you can control, the more possible everything else begins to feel.
