Can a messy person change or are some people just naturally tidier?

Some people seem naturally tidy. Their keys are always in the same place, clothes make it into the wardrobe, and their kitchen bench remains mysteriously visible.

Others can clean the house on Sunday and wonder by Wednesday how everything became messy again.

It’s tempting to explain this as personality: “I’m just a messy person.” And there is some truth to that. But personality isn’t destiny. Our surroundings and the small things we repeatedly do within them matter too.

In fact, changing those patterns may eventually change something about the kind of person we are.

Are some people just naturally tidier?

Psychologists describe personality in terms of relatively enduring patterns in how people tend to think, feel and behave.

One of the “Big Five” personality traits is conscientiousness. It includes tendencies towards being industrious, self-controlled and orderly. So, someone higher in conscientiousness – particularly its orderliness aspects – may find keeping things organised easier.

But “relatively enduring” doesn’t mean personality is fixed.

Large studies following people over time show personality is both stable and changeable. For example, people tend to become more conscientious during different stages of adulthood, such as when they have children or new responsibilities.

So, saying “I’m a messy person” may describe a tendency. It doesn’t condemn you to a lifetime of losing your keys.

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