The Clutter Fairy Weekly Survey #270 Results
Intersections of Clutter and Creativity
Below are the results of our survey released in preparation for episode #270 of The Clutter Fairy Weekly. If you haven’t already done so, please take the survey.
Responses
To view the complete, detailed survey response from any respondent, click on their name (or “Anonymous user”) in the table below. You may also find it easier to read long responses in the detailed view.
| Name (click to view full survey response and comments) | Describe ways in which clutter has interfered with your ability to carry out or enjoy creative projects and activities. | Describe ways in which the desire to declutter and organize your space has conflicted with or impaired your ability to carry out or enjoy creative projects and activities. | Describe ways in which your efforts to declutter and organize your space have enhanced your ability to carry out or enjoy creative projects and activities. | Describe the key features of your ideal creative workspace. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann | My husband and I are both writers and — surprise! — we have a lot of books. The books are 70% organized. Having books that I've read and annotated and that are meaningful to my writing is important. Now we're buying more and the shelves are full, and the new books are getting stacked here and there. Or put into a new shelf, but not organized. I know the "container" approach is to make the books fit into the bookshelves — the containers — we have. But I just haven't done it! | I play cello and have lots of music. I put all my music in order a few years ago, getting a heavy-duty file divider which I labeled "solo repertoire," "duets," "trios," "etudes," etc. That worked great. But I haven't put my music back in order for about a year, and it's kind of daunting. It's mostly in order, and that's really nice. | I love the "easily visible" idea. Lots of materials, plus lots of examples of my artwork. And some SPACE. I love the idea of space — in my rooms and in my schedule. | |
| Kathy | My sewing room is overstuffed with containers of craft supplies. I also have a few boxes in another room and in the basement because they don't fit in the sewing room. For me to go in and start sewing or quilting would require clearing off surfaces and making room for the project. I have unfinished projects in there that are also a bit of a guilt trip because I haven't finished them. (I'd rather start something new.) Probably the bigger guilt trip is thinking about all the money I spent buying supplies, patterns, and books that I now realize I am never going to use. | I want to declutter and organize my sewing room before I start another project. Yet I procrastinate decluttering my sewing room because I am trying to do the mental work of being willing to let a lot of it go. p.s. I have already donated 4-5 boxes of things, but there's still so much more that should go to make the space usable. Thanks to Gayle, I have let go of the desire to find the perfect home to give my stuff to. I'm able to let it go to the thrift store and believe that whoever finds it there will be excited to have it at a really good price. | I've heard that this is true--that once I've decluttered the space, I'll feel more creative--but I haven't gotten to that point yet. LOL. | My ideal is that all materials would be neatly organized, mostly out of sight except for my current active project. I used to think the space should be Pinterest worthy, but now my goal is to just have it neat, picked up, with clear spaces to work. I would also like my sewing room to contain all of my supplies, not have some in other rooms. It would also have less furniture (because I'd have less to store). The walls would have some of the art quilts I've made and other creative artwork. My design wall would have some quilt blocks for a work in progress. Another ideal: I would finish each project and clear the space before starting another project. |
| Elsie | I feel like I have to address the clutter before I can do a project I enjoy. It keeps nagging me. | I don't start any creative activities because I need to declutter. I start to declutter and Get frustrated. | I haven't decluttered enough to make a difference | I would like to have all my sewing tools,etc neatly organized. I like to have things out of sight but because of my aging I don't always remember where the are. If they are all out it looks cluttered. |
| Tracy | I SIMPLY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING!! | I successfully use a tip from Norrine Burke of The Crafty Organizer. It resembles the common file system (the kind you drop a folder into a box or file cabinet, fom above). You use regular plastic storage bages that you've stiffened up by adding a scrap if card stock, the size of your baggie. (i use thick junk mail & Amazon boxes). This allows the baggies to stand upright. Fill the bag with loose odd shaped items, or flat work like paper products. Drop them vertically into your "file box". I find this method easy, as I can just thumb through the box, front to back. The clear baggies come in all sizes & the contents are always easy to see. | #3 All the way, but modified.. A small bedroom AREA | |
| Anita (in Michigan) | I would have to say the guilt is the biggest factor-my creative projects often start with one epiphany, seeing something that is beautiful or broken and wanting to transform it into something else or just fix it. I do have a small craft room, a space in the basement, which is full of inspirational objects and crafting supplies. there are ribbons and artificial flowers and glues of various types, paint brushes, and “really good boxes“ like cigar boxes, which you don’t see very often, wine boxes like little suitcases that show up around Christmas time and any box made of wood that can be decorated. However, there is not much space to work on the counter that is there because of Clutter left over from the last project I worked on, in this case, making a sign using adhesive letters. I believe I might be able to write a novel with all the unused letters left over. The one area where decluttering has really helped me with a creative project and vice versa is jewelry making, which I did for the PRIDE festival in June this year. I didn’t want all the beads, findings and tools to take over the living room/dining room area where we would be working because I was working with my Clutter buddy and organizing friend who taught me how to work this craft. I had a low cabinet under a windowsill with three shelves which created cubbyholes and three drawers for enclosed storage. I was only storing VHS tapes in those drawers and managed to donate two drawers worth, leaving space for my beads and tools. I found refrigerator containers that fit the drawers exactly and put lots of tiny boxes (oh, how I do love boxes) to keep all the different colors and sizes of beads separated. on Mondays, we did decluttering and on Fridays we made jewelry together. This was clearly a match made in heaven that served us both however, I still feel guilty about doing something creative when I look around and see Clutter and general house work to be done. I have been working on time management based on the clutter book for yak shavers like me. | One of my biggest feelings is failing to finish tasks. Right now, I am looking at an end table in the living room with three family photographs, neatly arranged on top and decades of family photos behind the two closed doors. I did get as far as dividing all the photos and slides into boxes of 10 years each, but that project won’t be done until I scan them all into my computer before I die. I’m experiencing some physical challenges right now that require me to get off my feet so I’m making a list of all the decluttering jobs I can do sitting down. Based on family history and my current state of health, I figure I have about 10 useful years to get my possessions paired down and organized enough to pass on to my family. | The system for organizing my jewelry making supplies with my Clutter buddy has made it possible for me to set up and tear down a jewelry making session in about 10 to 15 minutes, ready for the next time. The fact that all the supplies are in boxes makes it possible for me to pack them up and take them to the crafting group at our church without too much trouble I can just pick one piece to work on and pull out the beads and equipment I need easily. | My workspace would be in a “she shack” in my backyard, with heating and air conditioning and a big window overlooking the river and my garden. there would be wonderful daylight plus overhead lighting and space on one wall for a continuous closet with adjustableshelves and sliding doors. I might have storage plus work area on two walls with counters and overhead cabinets. The fourth wall would just be a big counter where I could do just about anything. It would also be nice to have pull out counter extensions where Friends could come and work with me. And a sink-gotta have a sink. I guess I would need a small bathroom too. I think I’m talking about a tiny house without walls except for the bathroom. I can dream, can’t I? After this delightful interlude, I’m going to go back to “ painting the bridge“. |
| Kathryn | Stuck you get paralyzed stuck. | No open spaces No productive creativity to change area's. | What is accomplished you can enjoy space better. | Room to sort Room to move areas Ability to let go discernment More aging comfort not to have as much stress if I in aging move. |
| Anita | Lack of time to do the creative things as dealing with clearing clutter comes first. | I have enough space to follow my creative projects and I can find everything however it is the feeling of guilt that I feel if I don’t declutter that impairs my enjoyment . Then if it something like artwork there is the problem that I ve created something else that needs space and a home. | Clearing a table is very good as you have a reasonable size area to get on with many craft hobbies. | I’m lucky my 2 grown up children have left hiome so we were able to use their rooms for creative space. My husband uses it as an office for his studies. I have my knitting in a bag, pens are stored in decorative boxes. It is a bit of a mix but not too bad. |
| Anonymous user | I will not allow myself to pursue working creative projects because I do not feel that I have the "free time" to do so because I need to be working on projects like "decluttering" and clearing out the vast amounts of "crap" that is unneeded or unused around the various rooms and spaces in the house and garage. I would be spending valuable time that is needed elsewhere like work projects. | The desire to declutter and organize the spaces be taking the time I have available during my hours that can be spend on trying to enjoy creative projects. In other words, I need to choose how I spend the limited time that is available on either pursuit (decluttering, organizing, etc.) OR doing a creative project. | I have found no enhancements toward carrying out or enjoying creative projects or activities. | Materials are somewhat organized or grouped together in units stored and labeled. When I want to work on a project, I collect those things from their bin or storage unit. |
| Lise | Clutter has interfered with my mind and space. I want to create and yet I end up thinking about the things around me. I may start sketching or painting and begin to feel guilty that I should be doing something else (de-cluttering, organizing and cleaning). My space is limited and in the process of going through things the monster has taken over. | It takes away time and energy where I could be creating and the space to work on projects. | With de-cluttering I have found items that I have saved to work on a special project and have forgotten about. I have donated most of the forgotten supplies to a teacher where she can make use of said items instead of sitting in a box for my one day that never comes. | My ideal creative workspace would be a studio where there is space to lay out projects to work on without tripping over things and a separate organized space to store everything away. |
| Julie | My desk becomes cluttered with papers I don’t want to sort. Electronic clutter sucks too much time. I’d rather be sewing than sorting emails | My desire to declutter and downsize possessions sometimes takes so much time that I don’t have the energy to start a creative project. Distraction is a huge factor. My ADHD mind takes me in too many directions all at once. | I’m trying to only take one project at a time. e.g. Take one item out of the “to mend” box instead of dumping the whole box next to my sewing machine! | My writing desk is separate from my files and paperwork that demands action. I made a space next to a sunny window to write. It does t have room for all the paper clutter. |
| Kristina B | I can’t get into creative mode when I have a to do list. Staring at unfinished house work doesn’t inspire creativity, I know it is something that makes me feel good and is relaxing but it gets put off until I have the time. | I have found that as someone with adhd and perfectionism I have put off my creative projects until I can organize perfectly, I am working on it now and working with my personality to ensure I have the time and that I put it as a priority. I also found that I do better with clear containers and bookcases with doors so that I can put things away easily and it feels less overwhelming to keep them organized. | I want to do things that help me to relax and feel creative. Life is too short to not do things that make you happy, and it has really influenced my desire to keep going with organization and decluttering the things that get in the way. | A place for everything and the ability to put things away easily. Something that inspires creativity and makes me want to spend time doing my crafts and sewing. |
| Linn | Too busy decluttering to enjoy creative projects and activities. | My decluttering is my creative project. | My creative projects are all the treasures I find, fix, or research decluttering. | Counters and flat surfaces are clutter free. |
| Em | Most of the creative projects I like to do are buried with supplies or junk, so that I don't have a work space or just can't reach the supplies. I have one area where i could do a certain type of creative project, but I spend all my free time trying to declutter the house, feeling too guilty about the mess to let myself play. | My place is too cluttered to allow me to "play." I feel compelled to keep trying to get my place back in order rather than do anything fun. Gayle is correct when she says the clutter yells at you. | I have a big bureau in the living room, two drawers of which both are dedicated to supplies for a single craft. The drawer for the craft that can be carried away for lap work works better than the one that requires setting up a table or working on the floor, so I think I will change the second one to another lap craft. It's nice to have all of the supplies in one drawer, ready to use. | My ideal creative workspace would be a room or the part of the room adjacent to a bathroom. The craft supplies that require water would be next to the bathroom. Next to that would be fabric crafts, because they may also require a spray bottle or steam iron. Beside that, an ironing board and sewing machine. That being the "hot" area, the heat gun and the crafts that require it would be in that area, along with other "dry" crafts. In other words, there would be work stations for wet, dry, and crafts requiring heat or electricity. A large table would be in the center of the loop, being close enough to all areas to be used by any that need to be spread out. Each area would have shelves for the boxes of supplies and be accessible for other crafts. Beads and ribbon could be used in sewing, mixed media, or card making; for example. Fabric paint would be within easy to reach of the sewing area as well as the wet area, etc. This set up, rather than have supplies strictly isolated by type, would inspire my creativity. |
| Katherine | Creative-project ideas pile up faster than I can get to them, especially where subscriptions and/or recommendations are involved. (FOMO is a big issue.) My brain and schedule get cluttered, too. (Right now, I am trying to coexist with a family member's health challenges that were inconsiderate enough to spring up when I was already 90% burnt out from living on a disorganized-priorities plateau.) | I hate doing "chores." I just want to get to the interesting stuff and finish it quickly. (Trouble savoring the actual doing is another issue.) | My energy levels (especially mental energy) are pretty low these days: anything that needs decluttering is "one more task on an impossible list." | Since most of my creativity falls into the "writing" category, I would include a room (or at least one section of a room) with a computer, comfortable seating, good lighting, computer files well-organized so everything is easy to find, and a few shelves for notebooks. And all unnecessary materials removed from the area (*less* storage space might help there). |
| Johanna | My crafting table is covered in boxes and mail and everything but crafting supplies. When I do sit down to do a project, I feel guilty for crafting instead of decluttering, tidying and cleaning. I cannot start or continue with a project because I cannot find an essential tool or materials I need, eg the right knitting needle or the remaining balls of yarn that I bought for the project. I have so many supplies all over the place that I can't decide what to make out of them or what to use. I have bought many things that I already had in my stash but couldn't find them. All the aspirational clutter of materials I intended to but actually never used (and probably won't in my lifetime) makes me feel guilty for spending the money. I could continue this list forever... | My two bedroom apartment has been in almost constant disarray since I moved in two years ago. I don't have enough space to craft, let alone cut some fabric for sewing. I cannot settle down to craft while looking at the piles and the mess around me. The guilt is overwhelming. My supplies are organised, but not kept in one place. Since I have mainly hand-me-down furniture that is not suited for storing my supplies and really doesn't fit the space I wasn't able to establish a good storing system or a practical working area. I also have way too much, since I have a lot of interests and a hard time letting go of things. Paradoxically, whenever I've reached a state of an organised, clean and inviting house, I am so afraid of messing it up again that I go in total freeze mode. Perfectionism first keeps me from tackling the mess, then it prevents me from using my space. | I let go of some UFOs, sorted everything in clear plastic boxes and stopped buying and collecting everything in sight that I might be able to use some day. I now have a better overview of what I have and where it is stored. I mostly lack the space and time to actually make something. | I need a table and chair with adjustable height and good lighting so I can work comfortably without back pain or headaches. I prefer to only have the most commonly used tools out in plain sight. The rest is organised and put away, but in reach. I would keep my current projects in clear plastic boxed to protect them from collecting dust and losing tools or materials. I would keep an inventory of my yarns and fabrics, so I can pull from my stash when I want to start a new project or even better, get inspired by what I already have instead of buying new things just for the thrill of it. |
| Evelin | the clutter is so overwhelming that I don't even want to start any project. | Sometimes I don't start creative projects because I don't want to make an even bigger mess. | decluttering forces you to deal with all the items so you get a better idea of which craft supplies you actually have. | I'd love to have one dedicated space for all my creative projects but for now everything is spread over different rooms in the apartment. |
| Carla | The most clutter I have has to do with my crafts and the materials I store. Having to deal with the other clutter, like paper and clothes and home decor is what keeps me from my crafts | Devoting time to the other clutter I have and the difficulty of making room for my projects aside from the chores of everyday living, leave me with little time to do my crafts. | I gave away lots of extra material to the local kindergarten and that made some more room to put away some other things, like boxes of photographs I inherited and still need to go through them. Putting that away let me concentrate on my present crafts. | “Tools and supplies are stored out of sight. Only my current active project is on my work table.” Because I get so distracted otherwise. I have so many other things that need to be done, crafting is my escape. |
| Karen | Clutter has kept me from enjoying my retirement fully. I spend too much time purging as I struggle with emotional attachment to things. I am learning to let go of these things from watching your videos. | I feel guilty when doing something fun. I fell like I should always be getting rid of my stuff. | Making a clutter free space brings me peace and joy. I can put that puzzle together, read or color without guilt in the areas that are clutter free. | Somethings are organized and some are not. I’m working on it. |
| Danetta | Felt I needed to clean the house first. Made the pieces of the project more inaccessible. Didn’t have a cleared table to work at | Tried to declutter and organize my space instead of having time to work on my project | I’ve decluttered enough to have a clean house but behind closet drawers and inside “storage solutions “ I still have too much stuff and still don’t feel I can spread out to work on my projects | A big table and open shelves around the room The current room only allows for a medium table and the shelves are Already stuffed so I have no room for parts of my project-in-progress |
| Leslie | My craft room is also my office and storage (boxes of family photos and school pics for three children) | In an attempt to organize and declutter, I have created more clutter and my “work space” on a table is now covered with office organizer | Only in my dreams. But still hopeful | All material and supplies are organized and workspace is available at all times. |
| Terry | Clutter interferes in a variety of ways. Sometimes it's a weight on me constantly feeling like I should be spending my time dealing with the clutter. Sometimes things are in a chaotic state and I can't find the supplies I need for the project and I end up buying them again or using all my "creative" time searching for them. Sometimes my workspace is so disorganized it's hard to work on anything. | I frequently intend to work on a project and end up organizing my supplies instead. Sometimes my work area is a mess and I need to clear space. Often it's hard to find the supplies I want for the project. In the past, it's been hard to know what supplies I already have, so I often repurchased items. | I am making steady progress. I'm getting more familiar with the supplies I have and have most "like" things grouped together and labeled. I've identified many books to donate so that I have room to store the more organized supplies. I have filled a bankers box with supplies to donate/give away, supplies I've outgrown or my taste has changed. I've removed supplies that I don't think I'll ever use, giving me a clear view of the useful supplies. As I limit supplies to what I'm actually likely to use and have my remaining supplies accessible, I'm more able to be more productive on my creative projects (and get right down to work) I've spent years accumulating all these supplies, so it's taking some time to organize. There is an upside to all that I've acquired - it's left me with some particularly nice materials. So I'm really fortunate to have some amazing supplies to work with. The more I declutter, the more I see and appreciate these supplies and the more they are accessible for projects. So I'm making progress, but it requires ongoing effort to just maintain whatever order I've created. | - Have a space dedicated to my crafting. I never had that in the past and am lucky to have it now in my current house. It's not perfect (so hot in the summer) but it's mine and it works for me. - All materials are neatly organized (all "like" items together, containers labeled) and easily visible. Items I've outgrown are set aside for donations. - Only my current projects are on my work table - Any instructions, books, videos, etc are easily accessible. - My tools are at hand, but not on my work table and in the way (I have a rolling cart with most frequently used tools |
| Amanda | It's hard to focus on fun activities when the clutter is screaming in the background. There's a lot of guilt in taking time for creative endeavors when there are practical tasks falling by the wayside. | Time. There's just no time, between full time employment, raising a kid, focusing on healthy living, dealing with an physical energy deficit, and basic adulting (not even referring to decluttering, I'm talking about doing the dishes, banking tasks, picking up after my cyclone of a toddler, etc). | None yet - I'm feeling very uncreative these days. | Items are easy for me to find, but out of sight for my toddler and guests. Materials are safe from dust, humidity, and pests. |
| Peggy | I got rid of all my creative projects and supplies years ago. They were clutter since I wasn't using them. I sometimes think about getting started with a creative project but I would need to purchase supplies and I worry that I wouldn't use those either. I also worry that any projects that were completed might become clutter 🙁 | So far, between decluttering and creativity, decluttering is winning for me. Decluttering and cleaning are my new hobbies 🙂 | If I have any creative hobbies, it's a "cottage cheese bread" that I make, with oodles of ingredients (dried fruits and apple and banana, etc) | I don't currently have a space devoted to creativity. I do have a staging area for things entering or leaving the home, that doubles as an area to put together jigsaw puzzles. |
| Kit | - Supplies too numerous & jumbled to be functional - No space to do the activity - Don't know what I have - Guilt about clutter means I avoid those items | - Feel like I'm not allowed to play until the clutter is all taken care of | Not yet | - Projects portable so they can be easily stashed away when I'm not working on them - Clear surfaces, good lighting, comfortable chair |
| Anonymous user | I have so many craft supplies for different types of crafts that I barely have space to work. My crafting area has overflowed from a spare bedroom to the dining room table. It’s overwhelming trying to find the materials I need for specific projects. I am constantly straightening up and organizing but it’s still a disaster area. I’m dying to try a new painting technique but can’t find the paint I specifically bought for it. In the meantime I might make some epoxy resin items just to satisfy my creative urges. | Time spent decluttering other areas such as closets has taken away from organizing craft spaces. Maybe that’s a distraction from really focusing on aggressively attacking my craft areas. | I haven’t reached that level of decluttering and organizing yet. 🥲 | All materials are neatly organized and I know where to find what I need. I have a clear flat area LARGER THAN 6 INCHES. to work. That’s why I had to move to the dining room table. |
| Katharine | Overwhelmed by all the items & can’t move forward. I can’t cut fabric on my table since the cutting table is full of items. It’s frustrating since I’m the reason it’s a mess. When I do get it cleared off, it’s not long till it’s full again. | Because it’s full of items, it’s too much to look at sometimes. It feels like another failure and the idea of creating a project seems difficult. The fun part is gone since the area is disappointing and some days it feels not worth it. | Positives are when I can see that the floor is cleared & I’ve cleared enough space on the table to do a tiny project. Sometimes it’s enough to keep going and feel better. | Everything has a place and easy to put away. I have items that are functional and fun. I focus on one project at a time. |
| Noreen | I feel like I should not enjoy crafting if I still nee to declutter and organize the garage. I know I can do both, declutter a little and then enjoy crafting, but sometimes it bothers me to ignore 'my chores'... | I feel guilty if I sit down to do a craft and other house or yard work needs to be done. | All materials are neatly organized and stored out of sight. Only my current active project is out and available to work on. | |
| Kate | I was given a jigsaw puzzle but there are no free tabletop spaces to leave it out. So the puzzle stays boxed and unused. There are dvd/vhs machines waiting to be repaired which are taking up benchspace too. I plan to get the dvd/vhs machine repaired but due to ill health recently this priority has overtaken some other things. | I have an unused item to donate to someone and am waiting for them to get back to me. I cannot be bothered advertising it for sale. However it is holding up space that could be better used for my record player which at present sits on the floor. | Once a space is cleared then it gives scope to eg get out a coffee table book to enjoy, maybe leave it out a week and then put it back on the bookcase. Those coffee table books seem to be the in thing now, not particularly a fan but there are some interesting titled and would like to read them at least once. They are not like a paperback where you can sit and read them on your lap. | I would like to get back to drawing and would only need pencils and paper. I want to make space in the desk drawer so any work in progress is neatly put away. |
| Linda | When I see clutter on my way to doing a creative project it bogs down my brain. | Taking up too much of my time. Taking up too much energy. In turn then not enough time or energy left over for what I really enjoy. | In some spots that I have decluttered I am able to spread out my fun project and that helps me be able to breath, relax and think and be more creative | Everything organized but easily seen so I can visualize and pull what I need on my project quickly. |
| Dorothy | With all the clutter in the way, I cannot reach my art table or shelves with art supplies | Haven’t started doing the art so no conflicts yet | I originally decluttered a whole area so I could put a shelf of drawers and an art table in. Then clutter once more crowded over the space. | All materials are neatly organized and easily visible.” “Tools and supplies are stored out of sight. Only my current active project is on my work table.” This is my ideal. |
| Theresa | too great a volume and too hard to get to scrapbooking supplies | There's always something else to do! | When I have gotten out a small section and dedicated space, I've been able to do some scrapbookinng | Have supplies closer to table where I have scrapbooked.... a couple of years ago! |
| Lela | Working surfaces full, so no good place to spread out materials to work on. | I’ve sometimes been too obsessed with decluttering to have time for other activities | Room to spread out supplies and create. Easy to find specific supplies. More relaxing environment in which to work | Bright lighting, easy to get to supplies that are well-organized, a large dust-free area to work. |
| Rose | It’s visually overwhelming to know where to begin. All the various colors, shapes, and material can make it hard to choose which project to work on next. There is also a fear of my creation not being ‘good enough’ to showcase it. | Being able to find all 4 glue guns, all glue sticks, and label the drawer where they’re placed has made it easier to being setting up a small living room table as the arts and crafts working station. This is a great start to the fall and Halloween creativity season. | Pretty colorful items are all easy to see, contain, label, and put back after every use. | |
| C | I think much of my clutter, or what others would call clutter is due to to all the creative, actual and future projects. Having too many ideas on how to use things that would otherwise be recycled, lessens my ability to complete any given creative endeavor. | The only thing I can think of is that I distract myself by starting too many things. In the middle of a regular task, I will switch to a creative project and vice-versa. Sometimes I switch between creative projects, leading to lots of UFOs. | I've eliminated a few creative projects and in so doing, the stuff I was keeping to do it: knitting wool, aquarel paints, cardboard for papier mache, old wax, etc, etc. | The second example is it. |
| Lynn | Before I decluttered enough to have space for a hobby work area, I was always playng musical chairs with shuffling stuff to clear out space for it. That was a deterrent to working on creative projects. | It hasn't conflicted, both have benefitted, less clutter, more work space for creativity. | After donating all the books, record albums, video tapes and cassette tapes my mom had in the house, I moved all the empty bookcases into what is now my craft room. I then organized all my various hobby materials nto baskets and bins onto a wall full of no longer empty bookcases. The sorting process allowed me to see all the duplicates I had (those got donated) and also reminded me of crafting components I'd forgotten about and got reinspired with ideas to make use of them. | All materials are neatly organized and easily visible. Enough clear workspace to eliminate the shuffle. Ability to close the door when I want to ignore any mid-project mess. |
| Leana | I had intended to take up creative sewing projects in my large "office," but all surfaces are cluttered (mostly with paper). There is no space to work on creative projects. | Its the lack of movemnet on the decluttering and organizing that impairs work on creative projects. | If I got moving, it would enhance my ability to work on projects. | All materials are neatly organized and easily accessible. Only my current active project is on my work table, along with the associated tools and supplies. |
| The Maggs | Stuff gets in the way We gotta get and also I’m embarrassed because of the boxes in the living areas. | It’s hard to do anything with stuff in the way! We recently downsized from a big house to a smaller one and don’t have homes for much of what we brought. Working on it but it’s slow going. | It is so hard to do any types of creative projects with boxes in the way. It not only affects my creativity but also makes it harder in the physical sense. Trying to work while fumbling around stuff! | Enough space for everything and everything in its place. No boxes or extras in the room. |
| Jessie | While I'm working on one project, it seems to give birth to ideas for other projects and excess ephemera I think I need to complete them. My projects seem to create more clutter that impinges upon my small workspace and causes me to procrastinate as I know I have to clean up a space first. | My work space is my bedroom with one wall dedicated to a table. Above are shelves which hold my pens, pencils, scissors, etc. and some paper. Most of my papers are filed in old fruit crates which I fitted with casters. These stow nicely, under the table and are so convenient to access. | ||
| Jane | Clutter can be a distraction from letting creativity flow. When the focus is on the mess, it's not on creative endeavors. | My creative juices are often spent on making areas more functional rather than more creative/fun. | When clutter is at a manageable level, I feel more free to spend time being creative/having fun. | For any workspace (including a creative one), my ideal workspace is tidy and it's easy to find things. |
| Anonymous user | My clutter is “possibility” stuff. I have a table I got free to try painting, but it’s been here two years now and haven’t tackled. This is ne example of how my creative ideas cause me to stockpile something with no urgency to execute. There are three other paint projects I want to tackle on furniture I want to keep, so this stalled test project holds that up. Ot sre if it’s fear of failure (or making a mess) or just procrastinating that causes this. I don’t have a final color chosen for the pieces I want to keep, so there’s no urgency. A revolving door question. Not a focused answer to your question but the issue I face now. I am not a crafter as others are— this is my only creative project. | Always feel I should be doing the sorting/decluttering rather than things that will create a big mess and unknown time commitments. But then I procrastinate on that. So a neverending problem. That said, I got more decluttering done/volume out in Aug. than I have in months. | Decluttering my basement of all that inherited furniture and collections of three family members has given me space to spread out to do the painting projects I say I want to do. | Don’t have a specified area to do or store any supplies I’d use. Some already collected are in the “workroom” part of my basement. I don’t even have a full supply list created yet. |
| Name (click to view full survey response and comments) | Describe ways in which clutter has interfered with your ability to carry out or enjoy creative projects and activities. | Describe ways in which the desire to declutter and organize your space has conflicted with or impaired your ability to carry out or enjoy creative projects and activities. | Describe ways in which your efforts to declutter and organize your space have enhanced your ability to carry out or enjoy creative projects and activities. | Describe the key features of your ideal creative workspace. |
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