Many people I meet find it interesting, maybe even unusual, that I am a professional organizer and a creative writer/artist. It’s certainly a contradiction; after all, how could an artsy, right-brain-dominant person possibly understand the methodical, orderly nature of a left-brain personality? This has come to be known as the “O” myth: creative people cannot get organized. But let me assure you right now that it truly is a myth.
Studies now indicate that many artists have successfully developed both brain hemispheres to function well and even thrive better in an orderly, organized environment while sustaining their creative, free-flowing imagination. I have also found in my many years as a professional organizer and facilitator of numerous focus groups that right-brain dominant (the artistic side) brain types can learn organization and become more streamlined and organized…which, in turn, can stimulate their focus and creativity even more. So, not only has the “O’ myth been proven false, crafters everywhere, young and old, are shattering that theory as more and more become enlightened to the idea of organization-enhanced creativity!
Maybe you already know this scenario: good intentions but not enough time to keep things orderly. New scrapbook supplies find their way home just to be left in bags under your craft table or shoved into crowded closets. Framed photos and inspirational mementos sit around collecting dust, leaving you to wonder how they were originally supposed to inspire you. A sticker box is open and in disarray, and craft paper, photos, scissors and other once precious scrap tools are now just piled and scattered across your workspace (a term which seems ironic these days since there certainly is no space to work anymore).
No matter which brain hemisphere your personality and learning style is primarily linked to, we have all experienced some type of creative breaking point when our yearning for inspiration, and grasping for more stuff to work its magic, simply expires; when too much of a good thing finally overwhelms and suffocates the creativity and energy needed to start and finish craft projects. When you know it’s time to make a change, it really is.
There is an interesting technique I use to conquer both creative disorganization (when your space becomes too overwhelming to allow creativity to flow) as well as artist’s block (when your mind becomes too unfocused to creatively continue on task). Ask yourself what needs to be done to help you and then get moving, literally. Go for a walk. Twenty minutes is all that is usually needed. Connect to the world outside for these moments and shed any obsessive self-focus or pity. Creativity requires action, and part of that action must be physical. |
What happens when you walk is really quite amazing. During the first 5 to 10 minutes of walking, your left brain is in control (the logical, practical, reasoning center of your mind), guiding you away from side-walk stones or potholes in the road and keeping you aware of any cars whizzing by and so on. But, the left brain quickly gets bored with the repetitive sounds of your feet stepping on and off the pavement, on and off the pavement, on and off the pavement…and soon triggers your right brain to take over (the creative, artistic center of your mind). Now ask yourself again what needs to be done to help you, and answers will come. Creative solutions will abound suddenly. Energy and renewed inspiration will magically appear. I have been known to take along a pencil and folded index card upright in my pocket to pull out and start writing down these ideas that come to me in the latter part of my daily walks.
It’s this natural, raw, creative energy that will help fuel us to complete our best art projects, whether scrapbook pages, novel chapters or canvas paintings. And as a bonus, it will help
us get organized!
If your craft space really needs your attention, corral some of that energy and completely clear off your work table. It’s the best place to start. Place everything in temporary bins, sorting all like-items together (for example, put craft scissors in one bin, paper in another, photos in another, etc.). When your tabletop is clear, pull up your chair and see how good it feels to have so much workable space. Your imagination is already gearing up for new project ideas! Check to make sure you have adequate lighting. And then, slowly, one bin or group of things at a time, give your art supplies permanent homes, preferably within an arm’s reach from where you are sitting. Assess what storage containers or tools you might still need and what things you can finally part with.
You will see, first hand, that when you create the space to create, creativity will follow!
LISA LELAS is an author/speaker and owner of Life Styling, a professional organizing/life coaching practice in Guilford, CT (www.LifestylingwithLisa.com).
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