Why We Create DOOM Boxes (And How to Stop!)

Ever found yourself stuffing random things into a box, just to get them out of sight? That, my friend, is a DOOM box—short for “Didn’t Organize, Only Moved.” It’s like a junk drawer in box form, filled with things that don’t have an obvious home.

Some people have DOOM bags. Some have DOOM rooms. (Yes, looking at you, overstuffed garage!) No matter what form they take, these clutter-filled catch-alls often create more stress than solutions.

So why do we make DOOM boxes? And more importantly—how do we stop?

Four Reasons We Create DOOM Boxes/Bags:

1. We’re in a rush to clean up.

Company’s coming over? Need to clear off the counter? A box (or bag) is the easiest way to make a mess disappear—until later.

2. We get stuck making decisions.

Some items don’t have an obvious place, and instead of deciding where they belong, we toss them into a DOOM box for “future us” to deal with.

3. We’re moving, renovating, or changing spaces.

Packing in a hurry often means stuffing everything into boxes without organization. But then... those boxes sit. And sit. And sit.

4. We never unpack from past events.

That bag from your last road trip? The tote from your office clean-out? The bin of keepsakes from a loved one? Sometimes we create DOOM boxes simply by never getting around to unpacking them.

Four Ways to Deal With DOOM Boxes!

1. Date it

Every time you create a DOOM box, write the date on it. Seeing how much time has passed since it was created can help you realize that you did not miss it and it can probably go.

2. Label it

If you must create a DOOM box, at least label it with general categories like “Last Day at Work”, “Kitchen Counter” or “Unsorted Memorabilia” so it’s easier to deal with later.

3. Schedule time to sort it

Pick a day—and stick to it. Sorting one DOOM box per weekend is more manageable than tackling them all at once. Need motivation? Enlist a friend to help, set a timer for 20 minutes, and plan a reward when it’s done

4. Track how long it takes you

Yes, literally time yourself. If it’s a box from an old job chances are it will be half the time you estimated. If it’s memorabilia then the decisions may take longer.  Either way knowing how much time it takes will help when scheduling for future DOOM boxes.

Four Ways to Avoid DOOM Boxes in the Future

1. Stop the shop! The more you bring in, the more you have to manage.

2. Give everything a home. If you know where something belongs, you won’t default to the DOOM box.

3. Use labels. It takes the guesswork out of organizing.

4. Make decisions in the moment. If you don’t deal with it now, you’ll have to deal with it later—and later is always harder.

DOOM boxes aren’t a failure—they’re just a sign that you may need better systems in place to start or the time to deal with them once they are created.