I’ve seen a lot of articles lately about how cleaning and organizing can improve our physical and mental health. For a lot of people that means organizing their physical space. For others it means creating order out of chaos, and it requires the right amount of chaos for the process to work.
To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.
—-— Thomas Edison
November 7, 2017
I certainly have piles of “materials” –
recently I was watching a uTube video and woman was using the insides of envelopes that have interesting patterns – so that got me looking at that material – and I see that paper collection is growing (not that I get much snail mail)
Then I was thinking I need some “round objects that are flat” suddenly the lids of certain types of containers have been washed and put away…(i.e. not in the garbage, yet)
Today while I was wiring some crochet cords, I mused on Maudie film and said to myself – “why didn’t I just stick to paint and p/brushes” – it would’ve been less of a pile for sure 🙂
There’s nothing wrong with piles. And as the Richard Thompson picture shows, painting/illustrating can be messy too. 🙂
the minimalist who ventures here might have a different view on that answer 🙂
Your house can be clean, but not completely tidy, or it can be tidy, but not completely clean—you can’t have both, I’ve learned, especially if you are a writer! So, take your pick…
😀
I am a tidy person but can live with the untidiness of the others in the home.
Yes, one size doesn’t fit all, so it’s best to be relaxed and tolerant.
love the comments!
as a lover of artists (all kinds… writers included dear diane!)
I connect with the post!
but as a claustrophobic minimalist I have to err on the side of neat and tidy!
XO to all!
I could apply claustrophobic to my artists life right now…overwhelming as well – probably other words, some might even linger in the swearing category
I love minimalism too, but it doesn’t suit my lifestyle. 😀
I’ve had a rather “bad/sad” morning – and it’s not even lunchtime – because the weather has turned to miserable as sin (no outdoor spraying) time to set up to bead some bouquets.
I spent at least an hour sorting out which beads I might use, found all the tools EXCEPT the beading thread. I’ve TWO reels of the bl**dy stuff…more than an hour later, still no nearer finding any of it.
Thinking about what I was doing last time with said THREAD didn’t bring me any closer…however I found a few things that could go to the garbage…
Then I REMEMBERED what I was doing last time and yep, found ONE REEL right where I left it – on the unreeling object…
Now whilst I have it to start, my energy has gone (maybe after lunch) AND because of this post/J’s thread – I’m seriously thinking “things need to change here…”
The main thing is to find the right balance. I don’t worry about untidiness unless I can’t find things. Then it’s time to organize/declutter a bit.
Right now I should be painting the sides of my little canvases so that I can attached my little prints to the front.
But my table is covered with stuff and I’ve got to clear so I can do that.
Rather than clearing it, I’m procrastinating and looking at my phone.
So yes, I definitely need it to be tidy, to some extent, for me to get anything done.
But I’m working on getting rid of stuff and then I won’t have an excuse.
😉
xoxo