A message from the queen of clutter
The home I live in is almost 100 years old. It’s in pretty decent shape, but there are plenty of renovations to gradually tackle. I am currently using the small second bedroom as a studio space, and earlier this winter I decided to give this room a little love. Working from home daily had me yearning for a space that is both comfortable and functional. So filling holes, a paint job and some thoughtful organization were calling. Something intended to be a little treat for myself would soon become a game changer for my business and mental health.
Did you know that January 14th is “Organize Your Home Day?” Neither did I! And apparently, January 17th is “Ditch Your New Year’s Resolution Day,” so before THAT day roles around I want to touch on this recent insight. With this new room renovation and *organization, the key word here, I realized my daily productivity increased by about 90%. I am now genuinely excited each morning to go to my studio and work. The room is set up with convenience and comfort in mind. Everything has a place, including myself, and the general vibe is cozy and welcoming.
My brain often mirrors the messiness I create in my physical surroundings. When left to my own devices, I sometimes fall into old habits of clutter and chaos. We’ve all heard of writer's block, and anyone creative or simply tired can probably relate to this phenomenon. For me, the lack of sunshine and cold weather magnifies this experience. So in addition to having some momentum and excitement from owning our own house, I had an inkling that this room change would have a positive effect on my mental health throughout the winter. Not only did this adjustment simply feel good, the difference in my productivity really surprised me.
Through this experience, I learned our brains are just more complicated rooms. Should I drop my personal business and become a Neuroscientist? Speaking metaphorically of course, our brains get cluttered too and could use a good refresh every once in a while. What I learned the most from this studio renovation/tidy up was: When my physical space was decluttered and given some care, my mental state followed. My new found productivity mirrored the energy that I brought to the new studio set up, and this opened my eyes to a new form of self care. I was rewarded for taking care of my space.
When you think of self care, your mind may go to fancy coffees, bubble baths, or a new outfit. Decluttering a room is probably not on that list. Here’s a little nudge for you…it should be! It’s at the top of my list now, and I am so glad I finally absorbed this properly through my studio renovation experience. So in this new year, before you run out of “setting new resolutions” steam, remember to treat yourself to a workspace that is conducive to your creativity, productivity and happiness. You will be rewarded for it.
Cozy regards,
-Lex
