Where’s Marie Kondo When You Need Her?

Photo: Unsplash.com

Since the panny, pandemic if your nasty, I’ve spent a ton of time in my bedroom. No, not like that you dirty bird. I’m currently working from home and my office is set up in my bedroom. So, every day, from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, I’m at my little desk making calls, banging on the keyboard, and attending Zoom meetings. “Alison, I think you’re on mute.” My bedroom is also where I write, mostly at my desk but sometimes propped up in my bed while eating ice cream. I think it’s important to have a space that makes you feel comfortable and takes you away from distractions. And my current space really does none of that, but I find a way to make it work.

To write I need the following, good music, my Body Beats book (which I swear by), maybe a sweet treat, and easy access to my good friend Google. Google what does an oxford shoe look like? Google how far is Savannah from Atlanta? Google show me some images of tuxedos and evening gowns. You get the point. My current workspace is kind of messy. I’ve always worked messy. When I was at a traditional office, I would have documents scattered on my desk with file folders and open binders. Now that I’m at home nothing has changed, I have a stack of notebooks, new books I recently purchased, random books I’m reading, and an old iPhone box that I should really throw away, but I just know I can use that box for something.

I would love for my space to be Zen and relaxing but I’m not Zen apparently, I’m a messy bitch. Look, we all have strengths and weaknesses. My weakness is keeping a cluttered workspace. One man’s clutter is another man’s ... clutter but organized. I know what you’re saying. Organized clutter? Why yes, just because you don’t know how to find anything on my desk doesn’t mean that I can’t. I know where everything is. You want the whatchamacallit? It’s under the six notebooks, outdated planner, Oprah magazine, and the paper towel that I used as scratch paper.

Sure, I would like to be neater, but I still feel organized if that makes sense. When I work, I just look past the random items that are hanging out on my desk. I aspire to be like Marie Kondo, super organized with everything in its place. Unfortunately, I’m less Marie Kondo and more Oscar the Grouch. One day I will clean my desk and start anew. But today is not that day, today I am going to hope that my stack of random items doesn’t topple over spilling my teacup and dripping onto my yoga pants. You know what I call that? Baby steps.