A Messy Desk is a State of Mind? Maybe...Then Again....

Albert Einstein once said, "If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?" I like that quote. Probably because my desk if forever in a state of chaos, at least according to RadioMan. To me, my desk is home. it's filled with things that make me happy, in addition to the things that I need to work on.

However, sometimes, I realize I need to clean it up a bit. This week was one of those clean up moments. Probably because I have a book due. ahem. My editor can ignore that sentence, it wasn't because of a deadline it was. . .some.other.reason.

Anywho. Here are a few things that I found on my desk that are making me happy lately.

The first is a stack of books. Why are they making me happy? Well, because they were all really interesting books - all were part of my reading list for a recent contest...and a couple are now one-click authors.

It's the Year in a Jar

Then, there is our Year in a Jar. My family whined interminably about this project immediately jumped on board with this project a couple of years ago and now it's just something we *do*. When something fun (like a vacation) or cool (like a new book contract) or exciting (like bebe's swim championships) happens, we write down the event on a piece of paper and put it in the jar. On New Year's Eve, we'll open the jar and read all about our year. I've seen some Year in a Jar projects that are filled with calligraphy and mementos. We use ticket stubs and scratch paper and usually abbreviations and really messy handwriting...but it works for us!

These bookends are new(ish). I bought them late last year because, owls. Yes, that's also a spool of thread and a
needle, I had to perform surgery on a beanie baby a couple of weeks ago. At some point, the thread will go back where it belongs, it's just that I have a feeling more surgery is going to be needed. Soon(ish). I keep print copies of my books here, because it's a nice reminder of where I've been...and of where I want to go next.

And I haven't found a single thing that needs to be tossed.
Although, I should probably put those books on the actual bookshelf instead of the corner of my desk. But, look, it's not all that messy...I mean, there's a whole foot or so of un-cluttered space to my right. Although my lapdesk could probably be put away. And so could my tablet sleeve. And, as I'm typing this, I realize I have about seven post-its and to-do lists to my left that aren't relevant any more. Okay, the old post-its and the to-do lists can go...but the rest of the clutter stays! I mean, Einstein was a smart dude...I don't want an empty mind, so I can't have an empty desk. Right?

So, spill, is your desk messy? Perfect organized? Somewhere in between?

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Kristina Knight is a contemporary romance author, part-time TKD-kid wrangler, and full-time ThinMints enthusiast. You can find out more the book and Kristina on her website, and feel free to stalk follow her on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Addison Fox: Odds & Ends

I don’t know about you, but I often envision myself as the lone mess maker in a sea of immaculate, well-bred people whose home is always in order, purse is always clean and car is always clutter-free. I moved recently – a state which should have made my own personal disorder of books strewn about, papers cluttered on desktops and general state of disorder vanish – and I’ve yet to have that happen. Instead, I’ve still got one or two boxes in each room and a small pile on the dining room table I can’t seem to dismiss no matter how many times I look at it.

How does it happen?

And where – for the LOVE OF GOD, WHERE?? – does it all come from?

I don’t try to be messy. Nor am I particularly fond of collecting anything beyond books. Yet as I sit here typing this I am staring at a stack of mail, three cords that go to various electronics items, a lone light bulb and three old cassette tapes that have no home yet which I can’t seem to part with.

I’d like to say this is a new phenomenon, but sadly, my entire life I’ve been a clutterer. I’m clean – the house is cleaned each and every week like clockwork – but the piles are easily moved to dust and then go right back where they are. Why? Is there something in my personality that can’t quite part with things? Or is it something more? (As a writer I’m driven to ask myself this…and then attempt to force the trait on a poor, hapless heroine who would probably rather have a nice, neat clean desk!)

As I keep looking at the piles on my desk, my gaze also lands on a recent card from my aunt, a photo of my friend’s son who just graduated and a wine stopper given to me by another good friend. More clutter, to be sure, but signs of love and affection and warmth.

It’s in those small signs that I think I really understand why I’m more prone to clutter than the pristine beauty of empty desks and spotless tables. For all the mess it brings, clutter also brings those little reminders that we’re loved. Those quick clues and modest symbols that remind us that we get up every day, go out into the world, and bring small pieces of it back home with us.

So what about you? Are you in the clutter camp? And whether you are or are not, I’m open to any and all suggestions of how to manage the piles!!

Thanks for joining me today!
XO,
Addison



Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in New York and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest release, THE ROYAL SPY’S REDEMPTION, from Harlequin Romantic Suspense is on shelves now. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com