Being organised isn’t just a personality trait; for some, it’s a way of life.
People who are so meticulous often find themselves at odds with a world that doesn’t tend to adhere to any kind of order or structure. As a result, they (and by “they” I’m really saying “we” since I count myself as one of these highly organised people) really struggle with these things in life.
1. Messy desks
A cluttered workspace is the stuff of nightmares for organised people. Seeing papers strewn about, coffee cups left out, and pens scattered everywhere can genuinely stress them out. They believe a tidy desk reflects a tidy mind, and the chaos of a messy one feels like an assault on their senses.
2. Last-minute changes to plans
Organised people thrive on structure and predictability. When someone throws a spanner in the works by changing plans at the eleventh hour, it can really throw them off. They’ve likely already mentally prepared and possibly even started preparing for the original plan, making sudden changes particularly jarring.
3. Unpunctuality
Source: Unsplash For the highly organised, time is a precious resource not to be wasted. When others consistently show up late or miss deadlines, it’s not just annoying — it feels disrespectful. They’ve carefully allocated their time and expect others to do the same, making chronic lateness a major pet peeve.
4. Vague instructions or unclear expectations
Organised people like to know exactly what’s expected of them. Ambiguous directions or fuzzy deadlines can be incredibly stressful. They prefer clear, concise instructions that allow them to plan and execute tasks efficiently. Anything less feels like setting them up for failure.
5. Disorganised email inboxes
Source: Unsplash An overflowing, unsorted email inbox is a digital nightmare for the organised. Seeing hundreds of unread messages or a lack of folder structure can be genuinely distressing. They believe in the power of a well-maintained inbox and find it hard to understand how others function in digital chaos.
6. People who can’t decide where to eat
The “I don’t know, where do you want to go?” dance is particularly frustrating for organised people. They often have a mental list of options ready and find it exasperating when others can’t make a simple decision. The lack of direction feels like a waste of valuable time.
7. Inconsistent labelling or filing systems
Whether it’s mismatched labels on kitchen containers or a haphazard filing system at work, inconsistency in organisation is a major irritant. They believe in the power of a good system and find it hard to understand why others don’t follow through with organisational methods.
8. Procrastinators push their buttons
The habit of leaving things to the last minute is completely alien to organised people. They struggle to understand why anyone would choose the stress of a looming deadline over the peace of mind that comes with completing tasks in advance. Watching others procrastinate can be genuinely anxiety-inducing for them.
9. Overflowing rubbish bins
A bin that’s past its capacity, with rubbish piling up around it, is a visual representation of chaos for the organised. They believe in regular maintenance and find it hard to understand why someone wouldn’t empty the bin when it’s full. It feels like a simple task being needlessly neglected.
10. People who don’t RSVP
For the organised, planning an event is a carefully orchestrated process. When people fail to RSVP or, worse, show up unannounced, it throws their entire plan into disarray. They find it inconsiderate and struggle to understand why others can’t take a moment to respond to an invitation.
11. Misplaced items
The phrase “I can’t find my keys” is enough to make an organised person’s skin crawl. They believe in the mantra “a place for everything and everything in its place” and find it hard to fathom how items can go missing when there’s a designated spot for them.
12. Unnecessary meetings make them want to tear their hair out
Organised people value efficiency, and a meeting that could have been an email feels like a colossal waste of time. They prefer clear agendas and purposeful gatherings. Sitting through a rambling, pointless meeting can feel like torture for someone who plans their day meticulously.
13. Irregular sleep schedules
The concept of not having a set bedtime or wake-up time is foreign to many organised people. They often thrive on routine and find it hard to understand how others can function without a consistent sleep schedule. The idea of staying up late on a whim feels chaotic to them.
14. Crooked pictures or misaligned objects
A slightly tilted painting or unevenly spaced items on a shelf can be genuinely distracting for the highly organised. They have a keen eye for symmetry and order, making these small imperfections stand out like a sore thumb. The urge to straighten and align can be overwhelming.
15. People who don’t follow recipes exactly
For many organised people, a recipe is a set of instructions to be followed precisely. Watching someone throw in a “pinch of this” or a “dash of that” without measuring can be anxiety-inducing. They struggle with the unpredictability and potential for things to go wrong when precise measurements aren’t used.
