Recently, a reader wrote to me the following:
“I don’t know if you’d want to blog about your desktop but I’d like to know…is your desk always so ordered? I have a feeling you have an ability to clear the desktop daily. I am consistently in the midst of so many huge projects with my classes, well, I see the top of my desk 3 times a year. One of my goals this year is to see my desktop more than 3 times a year. Maybe you could show us what your desk looks like when you are REALLY in the swing of things.”
It’s confession time. I always have to organize my desk for photos, because it definitely does NOT look this neat on a regular basis.
In the picture above, I was in the midst of filling out student applications for my local federation of music clubs’ upcoming Junior Festival. This was right after I received the email, so it was the perfect opportunity to capture the evidence of my cluttered desktop.
So even though I’m guilty of the occasional messy desk, I’ve become very good at making it appear neat and tidy. I really have no choice, considering there are students and parents in and out of my office/studio on a daily basis. But what they don’t notice is my inbox tray stuffed to the gills, the papers concealed under a music book, and the sticky notes tucked into a drawer.
Despite all of these confessions, I do have some tips that help keep the visible clutter to a minimum and maintain my sanity.
- I keep filing boxes stacked right underneath my desk, so that I can quickly file away invoices, pay stubs, and important documents that don’t require further action.
- I make it a habit to empty my inbox tray (and then empty the trash can) every Sunday so that Monday is a clean slate.
- Almost everything has a place or a dedicated folder. I only allow myself one tiny junk drawer for things that I can’t find a regular use for yet just can’t part with.
- I’ve broken all of my former pack-rat habits. When I moved out of my parents’ house after college, they forced me to throw out the boxes and boxes of schoolwork — dating all the way back to 6th grade — that I absolutely did not need. It was hard at the time, but I’ve never looked back.
- I keep a scanner on my desk so that I can digitize anything I think I might need later but don’t want taking up valuable space.
And just in case you thought perhaps the picture up top was staged for this blog post, here’s another one (taken back in the day, when I still had my old Macbook and warhorse printer) to prove my occasional desk messiness.
What about you? Are you one of those people who always has a perfectly tidy workspace? If so, please add your tips in the comments. And if you’re a total slob, tell us about that too so we can all feel better about ourselves. (Just kidding, sort of.)
If that’s cluttered and messy, then I am sooo much worse. I thought the top picture was an example of organized. I have a double-dose of pack-rat genes that I am gradually fading into the sunset, but the clutter is still a problem. I vertically file quite a few things (always remembering where in the stack they are). If I could attach a picture of my desk right now, you would shudder. :)
LOL, Ginny! I suppose we all have our own definitions of messy. I would probably be much worse if I didn’t have people in my office all the time!
I’m a recovering slob ;) Sooooo, doing music therapy in your office makes it clean??? Hm… I will try that!
Glad to hear you’re in the recovery phase! At least your email inbox is much cleaner than mine :) Doing anything in your office that involves other people seeing it is automatic incentive to keep it clean :)
How fun! I love seeing this kind of stuff!
Here’s a pick of my current office situation: http://flic.kr/p/9cQkRb The stuff of the floor? My new preamp and microphone. The stuff on the top of the desk? Random wires and empty change wrappers. And, yes, that IS a 6-pack of paper towels on the floor. They need to grow their legs and hop onto their shelf soon :)
Thanks for the pic, Michelle! Now that is the good kind of messy (new toys everywhere). Hope you’re having fun with them!
Dear Rachel,
Thank you!
I knew there must be moments when papers and books surface and “sit”:)
Regardless, you’ve inspired me yet again!
Today I will take a photo of my desk (which remarkably does have a little desktop showing). Then, sometime in the next couple of weeks, I’m going to do a clean-sweep desk tidy, stage my desk and take another photo. I’ll post the before and after shots and invite you in!
Have a great week, Rachel!
You’re so welcome – and thank YOU for the post idea! Can’t wait to see your desk, both before and after :) You have a great week too, Susan!
I’m with Ginny! My school office is okay, but my home office needs a MAJOR overhaul!
I love a good overhaul (just gave my basement one this weekend). Keep me updated if you decide to go for it!
Haha… I’m with Ginny, too!
I will say, the major overhaul we just did on the music/sensory room definitely encourages me and my partner to be more tidy. Even though I’m just beginning, I’m already learning the benefits of having ‘a place for everything and everything it its place’.
It just makes my day better.
I know the feeling. My brain feels unorganized when I’m surrounded by clutter! Enjoy your newly organized space!
I SO envy your desk! Mine is in a constant state of mess. Here’s what my desk currently looks like: http://flic.kr/p/9cWhJy
Keep in mind I’m in the middle of comp exams and thesis drafts for grad school, and luckily this is the worst it’s ever been. Also, I’ve come to the conclusion that my desk is simply too small for my needs.
Here’s a wide shot of my current office: http://flic.kr/p/9cWhK1 Again, keep in mind that we just moved in a month ago and with grad school and the holidays I just haven’t had the time to organize. At least you can see the floor now! :D
Keep up the inspiring posts!
Hi Justine! I agree…you need to treat yourself to a bigger desk! Having all that extra space has made all the difference for me. But you have a good excuse for the messiness, what with working on your comps & thesis. Maybe the new desk could be a gift to yourself for finishing those :)