Why creative people tend to be messy
I was doomed from the start. As a creative and someone who is deeply unwell, it’s a surprise my place hasn’t burned down. Not messy in the sense that I leave unfinished Wendy’s in my bedroom for months on end, but more in the disorganized sense. I try my best. I really, really do. But somehow things just slip away from me and I spread myself out. I’m also a maximalist at heart. I love kitschy designs and gaudy furniture. It’s fun and has personality! Keeping everything in order in small spaces is tough. I like to think that if I had a little more space, I’d be a little more organized. But perhaps that’s just wishful thinking.
Now, we all know at least one creative person who is also a bit of a mess. It may be the artist who can’t seem to keep their paintbrushes in order, or the musician whose apartment is always cluttered with half-finished compositions. But why is it that so many creative people tend to be messy?
It turns out that there’s a reason for this apparent disorganization. A recent study showed that people who are more creative tend to be less rule-following and more likely to take risks. This means that they’re also more likely to be messy, since they’re not as concerned with following conventional rules about cleanliness and organization.
So if you’re a creative person, don’t worry – your messy habits may just be a sign of your creativity! And if you’re not particularly creative, maybe a little messiness could help you tap into your hidden potential. Either way, it’s worth considering whether the benefits of being messy might outweigh the drawbacks. After all, who wants to live in a sterile, perfectly ordered world anyway?
The link between creativity and messiness
There’s an old saying that, “a cluttered desk is the sign of a great mind”, and it turns out there may be some truth to this. Researchers have found that messiness can actually help people become more creative. Whether it’s art supplies, books, or piles of paper– having “stuff” around can give our brains access to new ideas they wouldn’t get if everything was neat and tidy. Creativity never had it so easy! So when your mother scolds you for not cleaning up your room, just tell her you’re gaining some creative inspiration from the mess instead. Chances are she won’t believe you, but at least you gave it a shot!
Let’s not forget the dark side
Mental illness and mess have often been linked together. But is there really a connection between the two? Many people with mental illness obsess over cleanliness and orderliness, while others struggle to keep up with basic hygiene. So what’s the truth? Let’s explore the link between mental illness and mess.
The link between mental illness and messiness is often talked about but not always understood
Messy living quarters and mental illness have been inextricably linked since the start of time, with all great thinkers and philosophers – Freud, Socrates, Bob Ross – maintaining that a cluttered environment has a direct correlation with one’s mental well-being. This long-standing relationship, however, is usually just superficially understood as many people view messiness as strictly a sign of sloppiness or sheer laziness. In truth, it can frequently be an indication of underlying psychological issues which should be addressed before true order can ever be established in one’s life. With that being said; don’t let messiness affect your mental health – tidy up if you must, but remember to reach out for help from the people around you if necessary.
Messiness can be a symptom of mental illness, or it can cause mental illness
It’s normal to worry about how messy our bedroom is, or if we leave a trail of clothing crumbs wherever we go – but those disorganized habits can be much more than just annoyances. Messiness can actually be a symptom and/or cause of serious mental illness. From hoarding to obsessive-compulsive disorder, certain levels of untidiness can cause distress for both the individuals experiencing them as well as those around them – so it’s important to always be mindful when something seemingly harmless starts to have negative effects on our lives and the lives of others. On the other hand, it’s also essential to take comfort in the knowledge that there are proactive measures that can be taken to help make sure sticks and stones don’t require medical intervention. After all – a clean house does not always make a happy one!
Mental illness can make it difficult to find the motivation to do anything
When it comes to most mental illnesses, some days it feels like it takes all of your energy just to drag yourself out of bed. Even the thought of starting a task can seem overwhelming or impossible. Going through those motions can make you feel like you’re stuck in quicksand, even if what you’re trying to do is something relatively small. This leaves us feeling unmotivated and hopeless – because honestly, who really feels motivated when their mind and body are weighed down with negative thoughts and feelings? The important thing to remember is that there’s still space for hope even on days when it seems like we’ve used up every ounce of motivation we have. We can make tiny steps towards completing tasks, celebrate the victories no matter how small, and be gentle with ourselves rather than punching in hard-driving unrealistic expectations.
How to be messy and still be productive
Being a master of messiness doesn’t come naturally to all – it takes cultivation. But if you don’t mind a few candy wrappers or scattered papers strewn around, you can actually still become highly productive. Sure, organizing and tidying your workspace should be part of your routine to help stay on task, but don’t take it too far! When it comes down to it, messiness can provide the creative chaos many need to feel inspired and get going. Of course, this isn’t just an excuse to leave things in disarray – try starting with a specific area of focus, so whatever is not essential won’t trajectory from your productivity goals. And never underestimate the power of a quick tidy-up after tasks are done – you’ll pat yourself on the back for creating balance out of chaos.
Messy people are more open-minded
Often thought of as disorganized or chaotic, messy people can warn of a greater positive – open-mindedness. These type of people are more likely to think outside the box and consider various hidden possible outcomes. A person with a knack for keeping things neat focused on what they already know and don’t often wander from it. It is the willingness of messy folks to embrace the unknown that scientists believe makes them more creative overall. So next time somebody scoffs at your untidy workspace, remind them that cluttered desks could be evidence of an unrestricted imagination!
Messy people are better at problem-solving
For messy people, this is a plus when it comes to problem-solving. After all, they have been dealing with their own mess for so long that organizing chaos and finding solutions comes naturally to them. It’s quite possible that the reason why some of the world’s greatest inventors and thinkers were known for their dishevelled workspaces is that the ‘messy environment’ allowed them to think better, encouraging unconventional ideas. Messy people are often not satisfied with straight answers – since they can see past black-and-white solutions too easily – and prefer exploring further with “what ifs” and different perspectives. So maybe it’s time to stop looking down on disorganization; someone claiming a person with a messy desk is not “with it”, is probably missing out on an innovative genius!
Being messy can lead to greater creativity
It may seem counterintuitive, but it can pay off to be a slob sometimes. According to various research studies, people who are messy and disorganized offer unique insight into different situations thanks to their unconstrained minds. Being unstructured can open up a person’s imagination and allow them to explore new angles that they wouldn’t have been able to find if they were restricted by structure and order. So, the next time you’re scolded for making a mess, don’t stress – instead, pat yourself on the back for being so creatively free!
We’ve all been there: we’re in the middle of a project and our creative juices are flowing, but our workspace is a total disaster. Or maybe we’re neat freaks who can’t stand clutter, but feel like we can never be truly productive unless our desk is completely clean. Well, it turns out that both types of people may be onto something. There is actually a link between creativity and messiness – so if you’re feeling stifled by a tidy space, it might be time to let loose and make some messes. Of course, being too messy can also lead to problems (like lost paperwork), so it’s important to find a happy medium. Luckily, there are ways to be messy and still stay organized and productive. And even if you don’t consider yourself a particularly creative person, adopting a more chaotic lifestyle could help spark some new ideas. So next time you can’t find your keys, or your train of thought feels interrupted by tidying up around you, take heart – it just means your brain is working overtime.