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.
I believe that over the years, I have contributed to 7 BIG boxes of stuff. I am currently going through them and trashing what no longer holds meaning or interest. It's a fun project, and necessary too. The desk still needs clearing though.
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
Good for you to be organized. I need to get my papers in order so my kids can make sense of it all. That time is getting closer, but I still plan on another 30 years, lol.
As for the riding experience, there's not much to it, but maybe someday...
I had to laugh when I read the first paragraph of your essay today. My entire condominium resembles your desk! I am in deep creativity right now working on a series of Wabi Sabi collages and loving the process. Cleaning can wait!
Desk? Are we suppose to keep up with that too? I often overlook mine since I abandoned it years ago since I can no longer see it! But life goes on regardless of whether my desk is visible or not. I am an equine instructor and so enjoy seeing the ah-ha moment when student and horse finally connect for the first time! My heart soars! My barn is much more orderly than my house. My horses are more accepting than most people around here. When one rides and is at peace with the equine spirit, the mind can be free to delve into many avenues of creativity. Frustration and anxiety vanish to be erased by peace and calm. So sorry your equine experience did not meet with the right horse or maybe the right guidance. Oops! Gotta’ go feed my horses. Life is good!
I wish I had been learning to ride with you! There was little support and care taken for beginners. I had some fear, too, with such large animals. My granddaughter rides and loves it. She is quite good, too. My husband actually got to take riding in college and got credit for it. He hasn't been on a horse since except for 2 summers ago at Ghost Ranch. We also lived on two different thoroughbred horse farms, Lexington in 1973 and MD about 15+ years ago. We've had a love for horses for 50+ years.
Your love and (although not stated) admiration for horses is not wasted. The horse is a truly magnificent animal with so much love and compassion to give a young rider. But trust me, you were so smart to size-up a non respondent horse with an unsafe surrounding that you stayed well and unharmed. That’s your takeaway. The most beautiful thing is to match a child and a horse which results in learning, and pleasure, and growth of confidence. A child that learns the lessons can leave their horse with the knowledge that they can handle and communicate with this 1000 pound animal with no verbal exchanges and go out into the world leaving fear and self-lack behind. They are ready and willing to find their tribe, to meet problems head on, and to problem solve in the world around them!
Mine is always a mess. It’s too messy when my huge table has a 12 inch sq to work on don’t u think? If it weren’t for my neat freak hubby I would spread like a fungus. 😆 I started cleaning up. It’s still a semi wreck.
Semi-wreck - nice phrase. All I do here is computer time, so 12" seems to suffice, lol. I know many people that have huge art tables with 12" of workspace, too.
I have a large work surface ( about 4’ x 3’) and every inch that within reach is in disarray. The other end has a few piles. I usually know the “area” each scrap, paint, glue, etc) is and just need to remove a few layers. Ordered chaos. A craft room is a luxury essential because I would not like the rest of my house looking like my craft room. Nor would I like to spend time getting everything out again. I like to get on with it when the inspiration strikes.
It sounds so familiar. And the time spent in getting everything out was my biggest obstacle to getting any art done. I've been leaving it out for decades now. Good for you!
The crazy thing is, even though the desk is a mess I know where I can find that teeny tiny piece of paper I jotted important info on. Once it’s tidy, I am screwed!
In a world where we have dozens of tasks, responsibilities and deadlines we need a place to sit and center. My desk regardless of what it looks like is my “control Center”. I believe that was the name your husband called your work table.
I’m leaving it. Proud I am capable of letting it exist.
Thanks for your article. You are spot on once again❤️
All my business life I had the clear uncluttered desk is the sign of a sick mind quote in my office, but I like Einstein's version better. Since i am retired, I no longer need a quote hanging on the wall to remind me.
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.
I believe that over the years, I have contributed to 7 BIG boxes of stuff. I am currently going through them and trashing what no longer holds meaning or interest. It's a fun project, and necessary too. The desk still needs clearing though.
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
Good for you to be organized. I need to get my papers in order so my kids can make sense of it all. That time is getting closer, but I still plan on another 30 years, lol.
As for the riding experience, there's not much to it, but maybe someday...
I had to laugh when I read the first paragraph of your essay today. My entire condominium resembles your desk! I am in deep creativity right now working on a series of Wabi Sabi collages and loving the process. Cleaning can wait!
Thanks Lesley!
That's exactly what I am doing, too! And my desk awaits.
Desk? Are we suppose to keep up with that too? I often overlook mine since I abandoned it years ago since I can no longer see it! But life goes on regardless of whether my desk is visible or not. I am an equine instructor and so enjoy seeing the ah-ha moment when student and horse finally connect for the first time! My heart soars! My barn is much more orderly than my house. My horses are more accepting than most people around here. When one rides and is at peace with the equine spirit, the mind can be free to delve into many avenues of creativity. Frustration and anxiety vanish to be erased by peace and calm. So sorry your equine experience did not meet with the right horse or maybe the right guidance. Oops! Gotta’ go feed my horses. Life is good!
I wish I had been learning to ride with you! There was little support and care taken for beginners. I had some fear, too, with such large animals. My granddaughter rides and loves it. She is quite good, too. My husband actually got to take riding in college and got credit for it. He hasn't been on a horse since except for 2 summers ago at Ghost Ranch. We also lived on two different thoroughbred horse farms, Lexington in 1973 and MD about 15+ years ago. We've had a love for horses for 50+ years.
Your love and (although not stated) admiration for horses is not wasted. The horse is a truly magnificent animal with so much love and compassion to give a young rider. But trust me, you were so smart to size-up a non respondent horse with an unsafe surrounding that you stayed well and unharmed. That’s your takeaway. The most beautiful thing is to match a child and a horse which results in learning, and pleasure, and growth of confidence. A child that learns the lessons can leave their horse with the knowledge that they can handle and communicate with this 1000 pound animal with no verbal exchanges and go out into the world leaving fear and self-lack behind. They are ready and willing to find their tribe, to meet problems head on, and to problem solve in the world around them!
Mine is always a mess. It’s too messy when my huge table has a 12 inch sq to work on don’t u think? If it weren’t for my neat freak hubby I would spread like a fungus. 😆 I started cleaning up. It’s still a semi wreck.
Semi-wreck - nice phrase. All I do here is computer time, so 12" seems to suffice, lol. I know many people that have huge art tables with 12" of workspace, too.
I have a large work surface ( about 4’ x 3’) and every inch that within reach is in disarray. The other end has a few piles. I usually know the “area” each scrap, paint, glue, etc) is and just need to remove a few layers. Ordered chaos. A craft room is a luxury essential because I would not like the rest of my house looking like my craft room. Nor would I like to spend time getting everything out again. I like to get on with it when the inspiration strikes.
It sounds so familiar. And the time spent in getting everything out was my biggest obstacle to getting any art done. I've been leaving it out for decades now. Good for you!
The crazy thing is, even though the desk is a mess I know where I can find that teeny tiny piece of paper I jotted important info on. Once it’s tidy, I am screwed!
In a world where we have dozens of tasks, responsibilities and deadlines we need a place to sit and center. My desk regardless of what it looks like is my “control Center”. I believe that was the name your husband called your work table.
I’m leaving it. Proud I am capable of letting it exist.
Thanks for your article. You are spot on once again❤️
Great minds think and work alike. I guess this desk is my "business" control center, vs the art/creativity control center.
All my business life I had the clear uncluttered desk is the sign of a sick mind quote in my office, but I like Einstein's version better. Since i am retired, I no longer need a quote hanging on the wall to remind me.
As long as it works for us, who cares, right? Yet, I get a momentary pleasure when it's clean. Fleeting, but it makes me smile.
Order always follows chaos. Sometimes the mess is the method of creation.