Compliments of atibens via Flickr

“By eliminating the things that you do not want in your life (e.g., the messy drawer), you begin to determine what you do want to let in. The things you let in are your keepers, your non-negotiables. “ [The Secrets of Simplicity].

In their book “A Perfect Mess,” the authors make the following exhortation: “Suffice it to say, you’re better off just playing around with mess and seeing what happens” (Abrahamson & Freedman, 2007, p. 231). They argue that a certain degree of mess may actually enhance one’s chances of stumbling onto unexpected resources, thus enhancing item functionality. We should, in their opinion, follow the urge to embrace our “inner messy” so that we can create efficiencies by making things more “accessible.” I’m unclear as to how a visual assault can be anything besides disruptive; moreover, I have found that havoc breeds a like minded state of affairs. It is best in my opinion to make adjustments along the way, as opposed to being blindsided by an avalanche of discontent. When the bathroom is dirty, what do you think? We make snap judgments based on superficial aspects of a situation, a phenomenon that makes subsequent unbiased reevaluation a near impossible feat. Turn the page…