The Logic of Tidiness

[Oneironaut Zero]

So, I was wondering about why people are the way they are about either A) keeping their rooms/space all neat and tidy, or B) letting their shit pretty much fall where it may and picking it up...whenever. Me? I wouldn't consider myself a slob, but I don't mind having a bit of clutter around me. I let my desk get piled up with various junk that I feel is just easily accessible (cd's, mail, music equipment, whatever) and will clear everything off (aka "clean it up") whenever I get around to it, and just get tired of looking at it all (which is something, I've gathered, is somewhat common among artists). Living here at mom's (temporarily - I'm moving back to Lake Mary, next month), I don't have that much company come over, and I just feel comfortable with not having to (IMO) impress anyone, with a tidy room (which is the main reason I, personally, feel is behind others' desire for a constantly-tidy room). With that said, knowing that I'm going to be living with a roommate, I already know that I'm going to keep my room much more "uncluttered" than it is. Why? Mainly because I will be having more traffic coming in and out of the house - which is more a matter of social-acceptance than necessity, I believe. So, what I'm asking is: Why do you either clean or don't clean your room? Is there any specific reason for your habit, or is your way of keeping your room just kind of "natural" to you? Do you clean it because you feel it Needs to be clean? If so, why? Do you clean it because you know you're going to have people over, and don't want them to see you with a cluttered room? Do you not care, either way?

[pj]

I'll have to answer this for our shop, as my room is shared with the wifeling and is neat. The shop is my space. I should post a photo. The catch is, (and I'm sure you have heard this before,) I know where EVERYTHING is. Things have migrated to the places I expect them to be. When the gang comes in once a month or so and cleans and does a bit of organizing, I can't find anything and go nuts until things are back to normal. My desks and my recording studio are the same way. The garage is a disaster. That's another story. Why? I like things where I use them. I don't like spending valuable time putting things away and taking them out again. I NEED things to be in my sight so they don't get forgotten or neglected. And I have too damned much stuff. WAY too much stuff.

[Howie]

Ditto pj. But it is ALL important stuff!

[Oneironaught]

I second every word pj said. I know right where all of my crap is. Sure, it looks unorganised as hell to every one else. And, indeed, it is. But everything is where it belongs as far as I'm concerned. I can (almost) always find what I need when I need it, even if that means a 30 minute digging expedition to get to it sometimes. I do "clean up" every so often. But then it's back to ground zero in no time. I need more space and less stuff. But the problem is, more space always translates to more stuff (thanks pj) because there's more room to fill. It's a curse I tell you.

[Pirate]

I'll have to answer this for our shop, as my room is shared with the wifeling and is neat. The shop is my space. I should post a photo. The catch is, (and I'm sure you have heard this before,) I know where EVERYTHING is. Things have migrated to the places I expect them to be. When the gang comes in once a month or so and cleans and does a bit of organizing, I can't find anything and go nuts until things are back to normal. My desks and my recording studio are the same way. The garage is a disaster. That's another story. Why? I like things where I use them. I don't like spending valuable time putting things away and taking them out again. I NEED things to be in my sight so they don't get forgotten or neglected. And I have too damned much stuff. WAY too much stuff. ... you know me better than i...

[Serkat]

If you don't pick it up it won't fall down again. That's a plus for having a messed up floor.

[Adam]

I must be the opposite then. I can't stand clutter and mess. Even if it is organised chaos I can't stand it. I have this feeling, and I know I shouldn't but I cant help thinking that clutter = dirty. I know it shouldn't at all but I can't get that thought out my head, and I hate the feeling of being dirty so for me, and maybe I have a problem, I like to keep everything neat and tidy, yeah sure everything has its place, but its place is nice and tidy and put away. When I was living with my ex, she was so messy, and her attitude was "It's my space, I will leave it how I want to" But she didn't understand it was our space and I didn't like it all messy! I am the same with my deck at work, everything is symmetrical and neat and tidy.... Okay yes, not I do sound like a freak

[Goldney]

Oh I'm very messy, I just drop clothes on the floor. They're more easily accessible that way and I know what I can wear immediately. Currently at my desk in front of me I have a camera a broken toothpick, an empty cup and a plaster.

[Never]

My apartment is always clean technically, but the way it is set up, it would look like a mess to most people. My room is a pile of electronics. I hate furniture, so everything is sort of stacked in the most useful way. Where I sit now I call the "command center". Computer in front, recorder/mixer, 6 guitars to my right, and two keyboards to the left. I have about 10 speakers, 2 mics, amps, etc, etc. I don't even have a bed or a dresser. I like my space the way it is: looking like a music shop. But yeah, I never have company or anything so I let things go for a few days; bottles get piled around or some plates. I throw cans around at the walls and such. I pick up every few days and it's cool. I am neither picky, nor sloppy.

[Xaqaria]

Typically, I leave the clutter when I can find everything I need in it and its not in the way. I clean it when things start to get lost in it and it becomes a hindrance.

[Neruo]

I most of the time drop everything on the ground. Then, every week or few weeks, I just clean everything up extremely tidy. I don't really know, I think there is a certain desire of organisation in all people. However, in some people, including in me sometimes, laziness wins over that desire for organisation.

[wasup]

Same, Neruo. I can't stop things from getting dirtied and cluttered up, but I love my room neat. I have more space... I hate walking around my room and having to navigate. This is especially true at night. If it's especially messy, I have to be careful and walk carefully. I don't like a dirty room either.

[dodobird]

I like the place to be a little messy. Tidiness is colder for me. I like freedom. including freedom to mess the house any way I like, or clean it up when I like, without any rules. I don't like strict order, organization, time-table... I don't like everything neat and clean and ordered.