Experts agree: it’s time to clean your workspace for your most creative era yet
Spring cleaning is overrated. In the Spring, I want to go-go-go! Not get bogged down in the minutiae of tidying. But once I get started, I’m one of those people who can’t stop decluttering. So I carve out designated days for my decluttering so I don’t lose entire weeks to an impromptu cleaning sesh. But my biggest, baddest, best declutters happen each fall.
Call it Virgo energy or leftover back-to-school vibes, but come Fall, I’m in the mood to get my life together. While Spring makes me want to, well, spring up and get moving, Autumn’s slower pace practically begs for a decluttering sesh.
Perhaps the most ubiquitous decluttering queen of them all Marie Kondo, is the one who put me onto decluttering one room or section at a time. I usually start with my closet, then my junk drawer, then my workspace.
Decluttering your workspace can feel tedious or even unimportant when you have a pile of unopened letters in your kitchen to sort through, but it can make the biggest difference to your workspace — especially if you work from home.
Decluttering is the key to an intentional and effective workspace
A perfectly curated workspace isn’t just about the aesthetic. However, as a dark academia Tumblr veteran, I admit that I’m a sucker for the aesthetic element, too. Picture it: sunlight streaming across a clean desk, everything in its place, and the subtle hint of your favorite candle in the air (mine is always Cafe by Diptyque in the Fall). But it’s not just how it looks, it’s how it feels. A clean workspace is like an empty Google Doc. It holds the quiet promise of possibility that makes it both an exciting and inviting space while also being a powerful tool for career success.
On the other hand, picture sitting down in a disorganized workspace, cluttered with irrelevant documents and filled with stagnant energy and trapped chi. Just thinking about it makes me want to light some Palo Santo to clear the creative blockages in the space. And it’s not just my neuroses. Your brain resists the feeling of sitting down at a cluttered desk. Those scattered papers, random sticky notes, and accumulated coffee cups might be triggering a stress response in your brain. Studies have shown that visual chaos increases cortisol levels, making it harder to focus and draining your mental energy before you’ve even begun your workday.
The Harvard Business Review confirms it. According to an article on HBR: “Scientists at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute have used fMRI and other approaches to show that our brains like order and that constant visual reminders of disorganization drain our cognitive resources and reduce our ability to focus. They also found that when participants cleared clutter from their work environment, they were better able to focus and process information, and their productivity increased.”
But the same is true for a clean workspace. Your brain buzzes to fill the empty, clear space in front of you with creativity. Think about the last time you worked in a gorgeous coffee shop or a high-end hotel lobby. Remember that feeling of possibility and productivity? That’s exactly what we’re aiming to create in your personal workspace. When your environment inspires you, your work naturally elevates to match it.
When you work in a thoughtfully organized, aesthetically pleasing space, your brain triggers the release of dopamine, that wonderful neurotransmitter that keeps you motivated and focused. Unlike most things in our late-capitalist Intsagram-ready hellscape, decluttering your desk is not just about looking good — it’s about creating an environment that literally changes your brain chemistry for the better.
Where to start: Clear the clutter in your mind
If you’ve done it before, you’ll know: decluttering is a mental process as much as a physical one. To keep your workspace clearer for longer, it’s important to understand why you accumulated all that stuff in the first place. Often, our cluttered workspaces reflect our cluttered minds. It’s the physical manifestation of all those unfinished projects, postponed decisions, and accumulated “I’ll deal with it later” items. But it’s draining your mental load and making you feel bleh.
But this is a safe space — there’s no shame in the cluttered workspace here! Ambitious girlies today are juggling more responsibilities than ever before. Between managing teams (you go, girlboss!) to hitting deadlines, maintaining professional and personal relationships, and balancing a social life, it’s easy to let cleaning your workspace slip lower and lower on your priority list.
Though we’ve all been there, this way of thinking is actually a trap. The busier you are, the more crucial an organized workspace becomes.
That’s why creating your ideal workspace begins with intention. Rather than thinking about decluttering as a chore, approach it as an act of self-care. And one that’s necessary for your professional growth. This isn’t about following rigid rules or creating a sterile environment – it’s about crafting a space that energizes and inspires you.
How to start decluttering your workspace
Embrace the clutter
To know what you’re working with, you gotta be able to see it. Begin with a clean slate by removing everything from your desk and surrounding area. Yes, everything. This might feel overwhelming at first, but it’s essential for breaking old patterns and building new ones.
As you sort through your items, resist the urge to make “maybe” piles. Every item should either have a clear purpose in your workspace or find a new home elsewhere. As Marie Kondo said, make sure everything sparks joy. If it doesn’t, then thank it for its service and move on. Don’t forget: this includes digital clutter. Dig through your downloads and desktop. Finally, confront those hundreds of documents clogging up your operating system. They need just as much attention and dismissal as what’s in your physical space.
Consider function
I love interior design. I’ve binged enough Architectural Digest videos to know that how you want to live in a space should influence how it’s decorated and designed. For your workspace, this means combining beauty and function to spark creativity. Your workspace should support your natural patterns and make your most common tasks effortless. Place frequently used items within arm’s reach, and create dedicated zones for different activities. Your primary workspace should contain only what you need for your current task — everything else should have a designated home slightly further away.
When it comes to accessories, it’s tempting to think that the next notebook you buy will change your life. But often this impulse just leads to more clutter. Choose organizational tools and accessories that you’ll actually use. But they can be gorgeous too, if an aesthetic space motivates you. An elegant ceramic pen holder, a sleek document organizer, or a stunning desk lamp are my equivalent of a cute workout set that inspires to work out.
Keep that same energy: Maintaining your space with intention
Creating an exquisite workspace is one thing — maintaining it is another. The key lies in establishing daily rituals that keep your space clean. End each work day by clearing your desk of anything left from what’s behind you and prep for the busy day ahead. I love a reset routine, so I’m already excited about this closing ritual. File papers, return items to their homes, and wipe down surfaces. Think of it as setting the stage for tomorrow’s success. It also helps your brain switch out of work mode and into life mode — balance!
As you transform your workspace, you’ll likely notice changes extending beyond your productivity. A well-organized space is the ultimate self-esteem-building act. It helps you take yourself seriously so you can be focused on your work. Most importantly, it creates a feedback loop of success that makes you more likely to perform at your highest level.
Remember that your ideal workspace will evolve as you do. What worked for you last year may need adjustment as your role or responsibilities change. Schedule quarterly reviews of your space and systems, and don’t be afraid to make changes that better serve your current needs. And switch out your signature office candle scent every season.
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Experts agree: it’s time to clean your workspace for your most creative era yet
Spring cleaning is overrated. In the Spring, I want to go-go-go! Not get bogged down in the minutiae of tidying. But once I get started, I’m one of those people who can’t stop decluttering. So I carve out designated days for my decluttering so I don’t lose entire weeks to an impromptu cleaning sesh. But my biggest, baddest, best declutters happen each fall.
Call it Virgo energy or leftover back-to-school vibes, but come Fall, I’m in the mood to get my life together. While Spring makes me want to, well, spring up and get moving, Autumn’s slower pace practically begs for a decluttering sesh.
Perhaps the most ubiquitous decluttering queen of them all Marie Kondo, is the one who put me onto decluttering one room or section at a time. I usually start with my closet, then my junk drawer, then my workspace.
Decluttering your workspace can feel tedious or even unimportant when you have a pile of unopened letters in your kitchen to sort through, but it can make the biggest difference to your workspace — especially if you work from home.
Decluttering is the key to an intentional and effective workspace
A perfectly curated workspace isn’t just about the aesthetic. However, as a dark academia Tumblr veteran, I admit that I’m a sucker for the aesthetic element, too. Picture it: sunlight streaming across a clean desk, everything in its place, and the subtle hint of your favorite candle in the air (mine is always Cafe by Diptyque in the Fall). But it’s not just how it looks, it’s how it feels. A clean workspace is like an empty Google Doc. It holds the quiet promise of possibility that makes it both an exciting and inviting space while also being a powerful tool for career success.
On the other hand, picture sitting down in a disorganized workspace, cluttered with irrelevant documents and filled with stagnant energy and trapped chi. Just thinking about it makes me want to light some Palo Santo to clear the creative blockages in the space. And it’s not just my neuroses. Your brain resists the feeling of sitting down at a cluttered desk. Those scattered papers, random sticky notes, and accumulated coffee cups might be triggering a stress response in your brain. Studies have shown that visual chaos increases cortisol levels, making it harder to focus and draining your mental energy before you've even begun your workday.
The Harvard Business Review confirms it. According to an article on HBR: “Scientists at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute have used fMRI and other approaches to show that our brains like order and that constant visual reminders of disorganization drain our cognitive resources and reduce our ability to focus. They also found that when participants cleared clutter from their work environment, they were better able to focus and process information, and their productivity increased.”
But the same is true for a clean workspace. Your brain buzzes to fill the empty, clear space in front of you with creativity. Think about the last time you worked in a gorgeous coffee shop or a high-end hotel lobby. Remember that feeling of possibility and productivity? That's exactly what we're aiming to create in your personal workspace. When your environment inspires you, your work naturally elevates to match it.
When you work in a thoughtfully organized, aesthetically pleasing space, your brain triggers the release of dopamine, that wonderful neurotransmitter that keeps you motivated and focused. Unlike most things in our late-capitalist Intsagram-ready hellscape, decluttering your desk is not just about looking good — it's about creating an environment that literally changes your brain chemistry for the better.
Where to start: Clear the clutter in your mind
If you’ve done it before, you’ll know: decluttering is a mental process as much as a physical one. To keep your workspace clearer for longer, it's important to understand why you accumulated all that stuff in the first place. Often, our cluttered workspaces reflect our cluttered minds. It’s the physical manifestation of all those unfinished projects, postponed decisions, and accumulated "I'll deal with it later" items. But it’s draining your mental load and making you feel bleh.
But this is a safe space — there’s no shame in the cluttered workspace here! Ambitious girlies today are juggling more responsibilities than ever before. Between managing teams (you go, girlboss!) to hitting deadlines, maintaining professional and personal relationships, and balancing a social life, it's easy to let cleaning your workspace slip lower and lower on your priority list.
Though we’ve all been there, this way of thinking is actually a trap. The busier you are, the more crucial an organized workspace becomes.
That’s why creating your ideal workspace begins with intention. Rather than thinking about decluttering as a chore, approach it as an act of self-care. And one that’s necessary for your professional growth. This isn't about following rigid rules or creating a sterile environment – it's about crafting a space that energizes and inspires you.
How to start decluttering your workspace
Embrace the clutter
To know what you’re working with, you gotta be able to see it. Begin with a clean slate by removing everything from your desk and surrounding area. Yes, everything. This might feel overwhelming at first, but it's essential for breaking old patterns and building new ones.
As you sort through your items, resist the urge to make "maybe" piles. Every item should either have a clear purpose in your workspace or find a new home elsewhere. As Marie Kondo said, make sure everything sparks joy. If it doesn’t, then thank it for its service and move on. Don’t forget: this includes digital clutter. Dig through your downloads and desktop. Finally, confront those hundreds of documents clogging up your operating system. They need just as much attention and dismissal as what’s in your physical space.
Consider function
I love interior design. I’ve binged enough Architectural Digest videos to know that how you want to live in a space should influence how it’s decorated and designed. For your workspace, this means combining beauty and function to spark creativity. Your workspace should support your natural patterns and make your most common tasks effortless. Place frequently used items within arm's reach, and create dedicated zones for different activities. Your primary workspace should contain only what you need for your current task — everything else should have a designated home slightly further away.
When it comes to accessories, it’s tempting to think that the next notebook you buy will change your life. But often this impulse just leads to more clutter. Choose organizational tools and accessories that you’ll actually use. But they can be gorgeous too, if an aesthetic space motivates you. An elegant ceramic pen holder, a sleek document organizer, or a stunning desk lamp are my equivalent of a cute workout set that inspires to work out.
Keep that same energy: Maintaining your space with intention
Creating an exquisite workspace is one thing — maintaining it is another. The key lies in establishing daily rituals that keep your space clean. End each work day by clearing your desk of anything left from what’s behind you and prep for the busy day ahead. I love a reset routine, so I’m already excited about this closing ritual. File papers, return items to their homes, and wipe down surfaces. Think of it as setting the stage for tomorrow's success. It also helps your brain switch out of work mode and into life mode — balance!
As you transform your workspace, you'll likely notice changes extending beyond your productivity. A well-organized space is the ultimate self-esteem-building act. It helps you take yourself seriously so you can be focused on your work. Most importantly, it creates a feedback loop of success that makes you more likely to perform at your highest level.
Remember that your ideal workspace will evolve as you do. What worked for you last year may need adjustment as your role or responsibilities change. Schedule quarterly reviews of your space and systems, and don't be afraid to make changes that better serve your current needs. And switch out your signature office candle scent every season.
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