Out of hand, now there’s an interesting phrase. I sat down to do some admin work and realized that the first rule of order should be to make sense of this mess on my desk. I always begin with the easiest thing to do - bring my calendar, aka desk blotter, into present time by removing the old (and outdated) one that is scribbled with notes, numbers, and a list of fonts I’m considering, for what I don’t remember. BTW, out of hand means out of control. The origin is from horsemanship. If your reins were out of your hand, you were out of control of your horse. (I took riding lessons when I was 34, but that’s another story.) A desk is much easier to tame than a horse.
I am highly organized, but you wouldn’t know it looking at my office or my studio. I knew Einstein had a messy desk, so I did a little research. According to researchers at the University of Minnesota, “people working in their messy office come up with more imaginative ideas” because “disorder inspires the mind to break free of convention.” Kind of “out of the box” thinking. Those who prefer to work at a neat desk with a place for everything and everything in its place tend to be “rule followers”.
Here’s the thing about messes like this: Right now, I know what and where everything is on this desk. If I clean it up, sorting and organizing all the papers, books, and notes, then it is highly likely that I won’t be able to find something later on. I’ve already written about flitting, and I imagine—no, I know—that’s the cause of this desktop mess.
Creativity stems from making connections, bringing often disparate things and ideas together to create a new whole. I like to think of my piles of notes, reminders, abandoned artwork, and projects as potential inspiration—creativity fodder. One note, even one word* can spark a whole new idea to follow, the answer to an unanswered problem, or the connection I’ve been looking for. It’s been working (successfully) for me for 25+ years, so why start cleaning up now?
To be honest with you, instead of cleaning up my desk today, I immediately dove into writing this post. Now I’m behind on the admin task I sat down at my desk to complete. Or am I? If I had decided to clean the desk, I might still be doing that and heading down all the creative ideas and rabbit holes that I may encounter while unearthing a note, sketch, or open journal. The desk can wait. I’ll eat lunch and then get to the admin work.
*The word is Fable, a note I made after someone told me that was her new granddaughter’s name. Love it!
Quotes of the Week
If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign of?
Albert Einstein
A creative mess is better than idle tidiness.
Michael J. Fox
Sometimes you gotta make a mess to make something beautiful.
Christopher Laney
I was thinking we who comment here should all post a photo of our desks! EEEK. I never mind the disorder for all the reasons you stated, Lesley. But from time to time, I do straighten areas that just look like they are ready to explode. AND I have a small shoebox that is called and titled (on its side) My Little Box of Crap. There is a card in it that says "this box was last sorted on....." Usually there is about a year between sorts. and the things in there are mostly cards and letters I treasure and can't throw away. But eventually I thin it out and carry on. Just consider yourselves lucky you don't have to see a photo of my desk.
This is wonderful - and it's always important to have a little snack on the go before tackling ANY project in my opinion. My own desk is full of tiny "centers" that only provide value and inspiration to ME: a few stones my sons gave me, a piece of beehive, old photos of my parents, a bit of china, a jolly troll with hi-liter hair. Sounds like a mess - but it isn't to me. The important grown-up things - documents, receipts, important papers - are all organized in a filing situation, out of sight. My desk is ... my desk. Like you, I especially enjoy coming across scribbled ideas or notes to myself that are a total surprise lol.
Would love to hear more about that horse-riding experience in a future post! xo