Sort things

5. Sorting stuff. Although a lot of us have a hard time keeping our homes neat and uncluttered, others tend to spend their spare time … well, sorting things. Some Houzzers find pleasure in sorting their socks, or arranging their silverware at right angles. Not everyone admitted to doing it secretly, but some seem to be embarrassed by their habit. It’s curious we’re so embarrassed when it’s actually beneficial. Sorting stuff seems to be satisfying and calming — rather like meditation. Australian Houzzer janetneve3009 relishes the opportunity to put things in their place, even if that means making an initial mess in order to sort things out. “When I have a (rare) Saturday morning free, I love nothing better than to throw the contents of my craft box onto the coffee table and then put everything back in ever so neatly! Incredibly ‘uncool,’ but I love it.” German Houzzer Amelia Sommer also admits to taking everyday sorting to a new level: “When I hang up the laundry and a piece of clothing requires two clothes pegs … they have to be the same color.”Schmidt says of our organizing idiosyncrasies: “With all the stress and chaos many of us experience every day, we enjoy being able to actually finish a job and check it off. Done! It gives us the feeling that at least in this one area of our lives, we have created a little bit of order.”