Messy or neat: Does it matter?
"Messy" and "neat" are just labels--let's improve that discussion
There’s a better way to think about your creative space
Any conversation about inspiration and making stuff usually includes whether it’s better to be neat or messy when creating. However, a few minutes of online research will tell you the answer is (drum roll please), it depends.
What is a creative space?
It’s any space that allows and supports your creative work. It can be any size that:
Comfortably holds you.
Contains all your tools and supplies.
Has the lighting and furniture you need to do your work.
Keeps them and you protected from the elements.
Is a space that motivates and inspires you.
For example, writing and drawing can be done in the simplest of workspaces. The minimum requirements are paper (sheet / pad / notebook) + pen / pencil, a place to sit or stand uninterrupted, and enough lighting to see your work. Plus something to carry your supplies if you do this work in a variety of locations.
More complex creative efforts can require a separate room, floor, or even an entire building. It may take special features to store, operate, and protect expensive supplies, equipment, and large art pieces.
Is the room in the photo above a messy or neat space?
You may think it’s messy; its actual occupant may think it’s perfect. Or vice versa.
What’s “messy” or “neat” is subjective; it’s in the eye of the beholder.
In any case, neither label is useful when assessing how well your space works for you.
Let’s talk instead about being organized
Definition of being organized: Your creative space has enough room for you to store and use what you need, find it quickly when you need it, and easily put it away when done.
Organizing is a learned skill, not an intrinsic personality trait. It can come more naturally to some, but anyone can figure out solutions.
If you’re not happy with how your creative space works, you can learn to fix what’s wrong. Over time, artistic needs change (e.g., you start working in a new medium). That may mean the space, or just a part of it, needs to change to accommodate that.
I love to organize, but you don’t have to love it
Since you’re reading my work, I assume you’re nurturing at least a little spark of creativity. I take that seriously and will do all I can to help you grow it into a nice steady burn.
I love organizing and ironing out details. A well-organized space (as I define it for me) motivates and energizes me. So that’s one of the things I write about here.
It’s not my goal to turn you into a member of “The Home Edit” team. I don’t even want to be a member myself. But I do love how they think.
You don’t have to love organizing as I do to take advantage of my ideas and suggestions or those of others I recommend. Take what you need, and ignore the rest.
And resist using the messy/neat labels.
For the initial purposes of this newsletter, I assume:
No one else shares your creative space.
Its contents (materials, tools, supplies, equipment) don’t affect the health and safety of other occupants in your living or working space.
Your creative work doesn’t take place outside in harsh conditions.
These issues require more energy, thought, and attention. For the time being, I want to have a simpler focus here.
Having organized surroundings is just part of the story
As I mentioned in my first post, your creative habits and routines go hand-in-hand (pun intended) with how you organize your space. This newsletter will hopefully help you merge the two for maximum creativity and enjoyment.