Why some people are more comfortable working in messy spaces

Scroll through social media or flip through magazines, and you'll see many pictures of perfectly clean, simple desks. The message seems clear: a tidy desk means having a clear mind and completing lots of work. But that's not the whole story.

Peek into the real workspaces of many creative thinkers, writers, scientists, and innovators. You might see something different. You might see piles of paper, scattered pens, open books, and half-finished projects. The reality is that not everyone needs a super neat space to do their best work. Some people feel more focused, more creative, or just more comfortable when things are a bit messy.

For a long time, we've been told that being tidy and organised is best. It's often linked with being responsible and efficient.

Messiness, on the other hand, gets a bad reputation. It is sometimes seen as lazy or chaotic. We admire the person with a perfectly organised planner or a spotless desk. But this view doesn't account for how different people work and think.

The surprising truth is that great ideas and success can happen in messy spaces, proving neatness isn't the only path to achievement.

So, what's happening when someone thrives in a less-than-tidy space? There's some interesting psychology behind it.

For certain people, a messy environment can spark creativity. When things aren't perfectly ordered, it might free up the brain to think outside the box and make new connections between ideas it wouldn't have otherwise.

It can feel less restrictive than a super organised space, letting thoughts flow naturally. Some researchers believe that disorderly environments prevent us from sticking to old ways and encourage trying new things. Being surrounded by their work materials, even if scattered, can help some people get "in the zone," fully absorbed in what they're doing instead of worrying about putting things away. This preference isn't just about feeling creative; it often comes down to different work styles.

Imagine a standard filing cabinet where everything is neatly tucked away. That works great for some, but others are more like "visual organisers"—they must see their stuff.

Having papers, notes, books, and tools out where they can glance at them helps them remember things, track different parts of a project, and see how ideas fit together.

For them, filing something away isn't organising; it's losing the visual cue. Their method of organisation is the ability to physically see and access their work landscape.

Also, what looks like pure chaos to an observer might be perfectly logical to the person using the space. For some, a messy desk isn't just random. It's a system they understand, even if no one else does.

You could call it "controlled chaos." They might know exactly which stack has the report they need or where that important note is buried.

Famous author Mark Twain was another well-known "messy desk" person. He was surrounded by manuscripts, letters, and books, likely a reflection of his busy mind and numerous projects.

Even tech innovator Steve Jobs was known to work amidst clutter at times, showing that groundbreaking ideas don't always come from spotless environments.

For people who work well this way, always tidying up can break their focus. Stopping what they're doing to file a paper or straighten pens can cause them to lose their thoughts and pull them out of the work zone.

Their messy desk often feels comfortable, like a natural part of their thinking process that shows what projects and ideas they're juggling.

On the other hand, a spotless, empty desk might feel cold and dull or even make it harder for them to be creative because it lacks the familiar stuff they use for their work.

A workspace that's genuinely dirty or so cluttered you can't physically work differs from a functionally messy one. However, the best way to work isn't one-size-fits-all. Trying to force everyone into the minimalist, ultra-tidy mould might hold some people back, potentially ruining the comfort and creativity that helps them shine.

Ultimately, what matters isn't how neat someone's desk looks but the quality of their work. So, the next time you see a workspace piled high with papers and projects, don't automatically assume it's disorganised. It is the active, finding its unique rhythm and order in the middle of the mess.

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