The Meaning of Piling Clothes on a Chair, According to Psychology
Have you ever had clothes that you've only worn once and don't want to wash, but also don't want to put back in your closet because you plan on wearing them again soon? We can almost hear many of you responding with a resounding 'yes'. The notion of piles of clothes doesn't seem foreign at all, does it?
So, what's the psychological reason behind this mountain of apparel?
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Does this image ring a bell for you too?
You don't want to wash that piece of clothing you've worn once or brought back from a trip, but you also don't think it's clean enough to hang in your closet. Fear not, you're not alone. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) coach Jeff Rice explained this situation in a TikTok video that has been viewed approximately 5 million times.
Rice stated, 'The term we refer to as 'floor closet' is typically used to describe the place where we leave clothes that are either clean or 'not quite dirty' on the floor.' According to experts, this habit could be an indicator of ADHD in individuals.
Billy Roberts, a therapist at the Focused Mind ADHD Counseling Center in Columbus, Ohio, says, 'ADHD affects the executive functions of the brain that control motivation, planning, working memory, organization, and self-regulation.' He continues, 'When faced with a tedious task, the ADHD brain becomes overwhelmed and starts seeking more interesting tasks. Boring chores like laundry can be particularly frustrating because they pile up, leading many people with ADHD to feel incredibly overwhelmed and further procrastinate the task.'
In addition to the executive function aspect, doing laundry also involves short-term memory, which can be a challenging area for people with ADHD.
Moreover, when your perception of time weakens, you might start to believe that arranging your clothes is an excessively time-consuming task.
Another issue Rice touches upon in his video is the tendency of many individuals with ADHD to experience 'time perception disorder'. The expert explains, 'This makes it difficult to accurately estimate the duration of a task, even if it's something you've done countless times before.' As a result, you might find yourself avoiding even tasks that don't take up much time, like putting away your clothes.
So, how can you tackle these piles of clothes?
Having concrete data on how long a task will take can help control the 'emotional part' of the ADHD brain that tends to magnify the process. This allows the intellectual side of the brain to step in and handle the mundane task. Therefore, setting a timer before you start a seemingly overwhelming task can be soothing.
Making the task more enjoyable can also be an effective strategy. The expert suggests, 'Look for ways to increase novelty: Turn it into a game, listen to new music while you're doing it, or reward yourself once a task is completed.'
For instance, how about watching one or two episodes of your favorite series after dealing with the laundry pile?
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