Why do I always misplace my things?

“Have you seen my glasses?”, “Where have I put those damn papers?”, “Oh no have I lost them again!” These are just some of the regular occurrences and everyday stresses we tend to face. Coincidentally this always seems to happen when we are super stressed or late for an important meeting – blame it on an automatic compulsion that makes us misplace our things.

Being distracted is not uncommon, unless you’re doing this all the time and spending 20 minutes a day to look – or worse – troubling others to go on the hunt for you, then that’s cause for concern.

Challenges and unconscious self-punishment

Some people purposely lose objects to create mini challenges in order to feel a sense of satisfaction once the object has been found. Sometimes this is provoked by a feeling of passive aggressive behaviour that is unconsciously absorbed from other people.

“We are ‘punished’ by wasting precious time on trying to find things,” says behavioural analyst David Lieberman. This also penalises others when you lose your house keys or forget your parking space number. And then we feel worse when others reproach us – then the cycle repeats. It’s almost like a player that relies on adrenaline.

Be mindful

It is less fun but very effective. Adopt a ‘law of proximity’ in storage, as recommended by coaches. “Place items where you use them,” says Domique Loreau, a lifestyle and storage specialist. The golden rule is to have a specific place for everything.

A storage compartment or a hook for keys, a shelf for your bag and glasses, etc. And keep to a habit of 21 days as that is how long it takes to pick up the routine. Avoid the ‘rebound’ by sorting out your shopping immediately, says Marie Kondo, an author and consultant of the book Storage Magic, in Japan.

Bonus: In addition to saving time, this strengthens your self esteem.

*Read: The Art of Putting Things in Their Place (Flammarion ed.)

Isabelle Soing