Character Trait: Disorganized

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Disorganized refers to a person who has difficulty keeping things in order or following through on tasks. They may struggle with managing their time effectively, forget important details, or have a messy and cluttered living or working space. This trait can manifest in a variety of ways, from missing deadlines to losing important items or documents.

Possible causes of being disorganized

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Lack of structure or routine in childhood or upbringing
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Depression or other mental health conditions
• Overwhelm or feeling like there's too much to do
• Lack of motivation or interest in the task at hand
• Chronic stress or anxiety
• Poor time management skills

Behaviors associated with being disorganized

You may be able to show your character's trait of disorganized by using these.

• Difficulty prioritizing tasks or managing time effectively
• Losing or misplacing items regularly
• Forgetting important appointments or tasks
• Difficulty making decisions or sticking to them
• Procrastination and difficulty completing projects on time
• Struggling to follow routines or stick to schedules
• Poor record-keeping and disorganized paperwork
• Overcommitting and double-booking
• Cluttered living or work spaces

Attitudes associated with being disorganized

You may be able to show disorganized through their attitudes.

• Procrastination and avoidance of tasks
• Resistance to structure or routine
• Feeling overwhelmed and stressed by clutter or chaos
• Difficulty prioritizing and managing time
• Inability to follow through on plans or commitments
• Impulsiveness and disordered thinking
• Tendency to be forgetful or absent-minded
• Difficulty with decision-making and problem-solving
• Lack of focus and attention to detail

Thoughts and struggles associated with being disorganized

Here are some ideas for things your disorganized character may think or struggle with.

• Feeling ashamed or embarrassed about their disorganization
• Feeling frustrated with themselves for not being able to change their behavior
• Feeling overwhelmed by even small tasks
• Being perceived as careless or unreliable by others
• Feeling like they are always playing catch-up or behind in life
• Difficulty in focusing on tasks or completing them on time
• Struggling to maintain relationships due to their disorganization
• Struggling to plan or organize their schedule
• Constantly losing or misplacing important items

Emotions associated with being disorganized

Here are some ideas for emotions your disorganized character may experience.

• Embarrassed
• Forgetful
• Anxious
• Inefficient
• Scattered
• Stressed
• Overwhelmed
• Confused
• Frustrated

Facial expressions associated with being disorganized

Here are some facial expressions your disorganized character may exhibit.

• Furrowed brow or wrinkled forehead
• Scratching the head or rubbing the face
• Squinting or narrowing of the eyes
• Raised eyebrows or widened eyes
• Pursed lips or tight jaw
• Deep sighing or heavy breathing
• Clenched teeth or jaw
• Tapping or fidgeting with fingers or objects
• Shaking of the head or rolling of the eyes

Body language associated with being disorganized

Here is some body language your disorganized character may exhibit.

• Fidgeting or playing with objects
• Being disheveled or messy in appearance
• Procrastinating or being indecisive
• Avoiding or delaying tasks
• Looking scattered or distracted
• Forgetting things or losing track of conversations
• Not making eye contact
• Appearing flustered or overwhelmed

Behaviors associated with being disorganized

Here are some behaviors your disorganized character may exhibit.

• Poor record-keeping and disorganized paperwork
• Losing or misplacing items regularly
• Procrastination and difficulty completing projects on time
• Difficulty prioritizing tasks or managing time effectively
• Forgetting important appointments or tasks
• Overcommitting and double-booking
• Struggling to follow routines or stick to schedules
• Difficulty making decisions or sticking to them
• Cluttered living or work spaces

Growth and evolution of disorganized characters

Here are some ways that your disorganized character may grow and evolve over time.

• Accept that they may still struggle with disorganization at times and learn to forgive themselves for mistakes.
• Learn to prioritize tasks and focus on the most important ones first.
• Develop new habits and routines to improve their organization skills, such as creating a schedule or using a planner.
• Acknowledge their disorganization and its negative impact on their life and relationships.
• Seek help from others, such as a therapist or a mentor, to address their disorganization.
• Embrace their creativity and find ways to incorporate it into their organized life.

Stereotypes of disorganized characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical disorganized character like these examples.

• Making them excessively messy or dirty
• Using disorganization as an excuse for their negative behaviors or actions
• Portraying them as forgetful or absent-minded to the point of being unrealistic
• Making the character appear lazy or unmotivated
• Giving them a lack of direction or purpose in their life
• Making them appear unreliable or irresponsible without any redeeming qualities

Negatives of being disorganized

Here are some potential negatives of being disorganized. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Missing out on opportunities due to lack of preparation
• Inability to prioritize tasks effectively
• Feeling overwhelmed and unable to focus on important tasks
• Misplacing important items or documents
• Difficulty in maintaining relationships due to forgetfulness or inconsistency
• Poor time management and lack of productivity
• Creating unnecessary stress for oneself and others
• Difficulty in meeting deadlines and keeping schedules

Positives of being disorganized

Here are some potential positives of being disorganized. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Disorganized individuals may have a heightened sense of creativity, as they are not bound by rigid structures or routines.
• They may be more spontaneous and adventurous, open to taking risks and trying new things.
• Disorganized people often have a great ability to improvise and think outside the box.
• They may have a more laid-back attitude towards life, and be less prone to stress and anxiety.
• They tend to be more relaxed and flexible, which can lead to a more positive and enjoyable approach to life.
• Disorganization can be a sign of a curious and exploratory mindset, always seeking new experiences and perspectives.

Verbal expressions of disorganized characters

Here are some potential expressions used by disorganized characters.

• "I'm scatterbrained"
• "I can't find my keys"
• "I'm overwhelmed"
• "I'm running late again"
• "I need to get my act together"
• "I forgot about that meeting"
• "Where did I put that?"
• "I'm forgetful"
• "I'm all over the place"

Relationships of disorganized characters

Here are some ways that being disorganized could affect your character's relationships.

• Being seen as unreliable or untrustworthy due to disorganization
• Difficulty following through on commitments, leading to frustration and disappointment from others
• Struggling to prioritize tasks, leading to last-minute cancellations or unfinished projects
• Dependence on others to keep them organized
• Overwhelming others with clutter and disorganization in shared spaces
• Forgetting important dates or events, leading to hurt feelings or misunderstandings

Examples from books of characters who are disorganized

• Don Quixote from "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes
• Ignatius B. Grumply from "Dying to Meet You" by Kate Klise
• Ignatius J. Reilly from "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
• Ignatius Martin Perrish from "Horns" by Joe Hill
• Ruby Lennox from "Behind the Scenes at the Museum" by Kate Atkinson
• Winston Smith from "1984" by George Orwell
• Ignatius "Iggy" Batdorf from "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" by Michael Chabon
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Christopher John Francis Boone from "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon

Writing exercises for writing disorganized characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write disorganized characters.

• Write a character who uses disorganization as a coping mechanism for a deeper emotional issue. Show how their disorganization may be a symptom of a larger problem.
• Consider a character who is highly creative and talented but struggles with organization. Explore how their disorganization may hinder or enhance their creativity.
• Think about a time when you were disorganized and how it affected your day-to-day life. Use this experience to create a character who struggles with disorganization.
• Create a character who is disorganized in one aspect of their life (work, home, relationships) but organized in another. Explore how this affects their overall personality and behavior.
• Write a scene where your character is trying to find something important but can't because of their disorganization. Show how this impacts their daily life and relationships.