September 22, 2023
If your desk looks like a tornado passed through, you’re not alone. According to a survey by OfficeMax, 77% of Americans say clutter impairs their productivity, and 53% report feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in their workspace.
And let's face it, trying to focus while your coffee cup sits next to three mystery pens, two half-eaten granola bars, and a gaggle of sticky notes isn't exactly the path to mental clarity.
But what if a tidy workspace did more than just look good on Zoom calls? What if it helped your brain function better? Well, it does. Science backs this up, psychology explains why, and your (long dormant) inner neat freak might just thank you by the end of this article.
Let’s unpack the chaos and repack it in labelled drawers.
Your brain processes every object in your field of vision. That means the mountain of files you’ve been “meaning to get to,” the tangled mess of chargers, and that unopened Amazon box are all shouting at your brain like toddlers who missed nap time.
A study from Princeton University Neuroscience Institute found that physical clutter competes for your attention, resulting in decreased performance and increased stress. The more stuff you see, the more mental tabs you open. Your cognitive load increases, your focus decreases, and suddenly even simple tasks feel monumental.
Translation: You’re not bad at multitasking, your environment’s just heckling you.
Clutter activates your fight-or-flight mode. Seriously.
When your brain senses a disorder, it shifts into a state of survival. That worked well in prehistoric times when piles meant danger (think rocks, snakes, or something with claws). But in the modern world, piles just mean paper cuts.
Your prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and attention, works best when it doesn’t have to filter through visual noise. Clean surfaces and organised materials reduce distractions, helping your brain stay on track instead of detouring into Instagram, snack time, or an urgent need to rearrange your pencil cup for the fifth time today.
Once you start decluttering, you gain momentum. You knock out one pile of paper, and suddenly your inbox doesn't seem so intimidating. That momentum builds, turning into motivation, and then, all of a sudden, you finish that report you've been dodging for three days.
A clean workspace can trigger what psychologists call a "success loop." You complete one small task, get a dopamine hit, and feel good. That good feeling encourages you to tackle the next task. Suddenly, you're on fire (figuratively… unless you also lit that scented candle near your paper stack).
We tend to separate our physical and mental spaces, but they mirror each other more than we admit. When your desk looks like chaos, your mind follows suit.
Cluttered environments often increase cortisol levels, the stress hormone. Prolonged exposure to messy spaces leads to mental fatigue, anxiety, and even depression. It feels like you’re constantly behind, even when you’re not.
On the flip side, an organised workspace can calm your nervous system, increase your sense of control, and boost self-efficacy. You can also boost mental sharpness with these five productivity-enhancing brain hacks.
People often think organisation means turning your desk into a Pinterest board. Nope. You don’t need labelled washi tape and a gold-plated stapler. You need systems.
Systems reduce the number of decisions your brain has to make. The fewer decisions, the less brainpower you waste on unimportant things like “Where did I put my charger?” or “Which stack is the 'urgent' one again?”
Here’s what a system looks like:
Let’s not forget the invisible chaos. You know, the 43 tabs open in your browser, the desktop wallpaper you haven’t seen in months, and the inbox that could file for independent nation status.
Digital clutter taxes your brain just like a physical mess. It causes decision fatigue, slows down task switching, and creates a false sense of busyness. Cleaning it up offers the same mental benefits as tidying your desk.
Here’s how to start:
Absolutely not. This isn't an invitation to go full Marie Kondo and hug your stapler. Organisation isn't about owning anything. It’s about knowing where everything lives and why it matters.
In fact, many creatives and thinkers thrive in a “strategic mess.” The difference is, they know their system, even if it looks like a crime scene to the untrained eye.
But if you can’t find a pen, feel stressed at your desk, or regularly spend 20 minutes looking for that thing you just had, your “creative chaos” might be more chaos than creative.
Enough theory, let’s take action. Here’s a battle plan to rescue your desk and your brain:
Don’t aim to fix your whole life in one go. Set a short timer and declutter one area: the top of your desk, a drawer, or your computer desktop.
Sort everything. If it doesn’t belong on your desk, get it out. Be brutal with junk. Do you really need the 2022 wall calendar? No, you do not.
Once the surface is clear, clean it. A fresh surface triggers a reset in your brain, too. Bonus points for a plant or something mildly inspirational (no “Live Laugh Love,” please).
Every item that stays needs a spot. If it doesn’t have one, it’ll float back to the chaos pile in 48 hours. Consider using small containers or weed jars with airtight seals. They're not just for herbs anymore.
End each day with 5 minutes of clearing, organising, and prepping for tomorrow. It’s the desk equivalent of brushing your teeth. Unexciting but wildly effective.
Your workspace isn’t just where you work. It’s your brain’s external hard drive. Treating it with care reflects how seriously you take your goals, your sanity, and your snack storage situation.
So, whether you’re a spreadsheet samurai, a creative cyclone, or someone just trying to survive Monday, one thing stays true: decluttering your space declutters your mind.
Now, go forth and conquer that paper pile. Or at least relocate it somewhere with dignity.
