Some folks feel that a messy study table can inspire creativity. This may be true, but where’s the line between messy and chaotic? It can be hard to tell. If your study table is covered in papers and your file folders are strewn everywhere, there’s a good chance your productivity and creativity are being negatively impacted. It could be the reason that it’s hard to get your homeschooling organized, hard to find what you or your children were working on, and hard to find materials. All of this can result in more stress and a flustered mindset. The key is figuring out how to corral the clutter so that you can work more efficiently in an environment that energizes you. Let’s explore some ways to do that.
Your Messy Study Table
Your study table says a lot about you and maybe your family as a whole. You may be embarrassed to have friends over or host classes because you are afraid of what others may think. Have you invited folks over anyway and endured their silent disapproval? No one wants to feel that way. How does your spouse feel about the messy study table? Sometimes, the mess and clutter causes arguments and strained relationships. Something you may not have considered is the way the piles and mess strewn on your desk create an impression. And what about how you feel when you work there? Such visual clutter impacts your concentration, your mood, and your productivity in a negative manner.
Downsides of a Messy Study Table
When your study table is cluttered, you waste time searching for things you need in order to homeschool or manage your home. This could be hours each week. Along with this lost productivity comes the stress of not being able to find what you need. (Ever lose bills? Important letters?) It can take a toll on your mental state and even affect your creativity and critical thinking. Visual clutter also zaps your energy. You feel overwhelmed simply by being surrounded by the mess on a daily basis. This feeling of being inundated can also take away your motivation, lessening your productivity. Who wants to sort through all that?
Benefits of a Clean Study Table
A clean desk allows your eye to flow, making you feel more energized. It will boost productivity when you’re able to find what you need and make fewer mistakes. Increased productivity is a catalyst that leads to getting even more done. This type of success feeds on itself. The more you get done, the more you can look forward to accomplishing long-term goals. Your children are happier, too, because they can find what they need. And, they learn the important life skill of being neat and organized.
Ways to Clear the Clutter
Cleaning up the mess will take a concerted effort. Be brutal by getting rid of everything you don’t need. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve allowed old projects and papers to pile up! Getting some crates with hanging files allowed me to put necessary papers in their place. I decided on a system to help me decide what to keep and what to toss concerning my children’s projects. I got some storage containers to hold supplies. When you clear out, use my suggestions and try to avoid placing items on surrounding furniture such as chairs or cabinets. That’s not truly clearing clutter, right? It’s just moving it around. Then, you won’t have anywhere to sit or you’ll eventually have another place to clean!
Maintain Your New Clean Study Table Area
Once you’ve cleared away the clutter, keep it neat by reducing your paper intake. Use email and other electronic methods such as scanning documents whenever possible. Create new folders on your desktop to keep all those downloads you use for learning. That way, you avoid buying things twice and you don’t forget to use them. Do a sweep under your study table every evening, putting things away and clearing surfaces. Limit your tendency to create piles in the first place by setting up labeled baskets for important papers and things you need to look through later. Don’t let a messy study table be your undoing. A few simple steps will help keep your workspace tidy and improve your productivity, not to mention improving your mental outlook.
