At the risk of upsetting every decluttering guru on the internet: I hang on to stuff. I’ve always kept things that feel like they might turn into something, because I hate wasted potential. The ones that might become something. Random bits of fabric, wood, broken jewellery, dismantled hard drives, or half-finished ideas? Absolutely staying. Also if I’m out somewhere and spot a genuine deal on something that would be great to engrave (I’m looking at you, IKEA bargain corner and Poundland), I’ll probably end up buying a few.
I’ve got a minimalist and a magpie in my head and they are constantly at odds, though the magpie is often louder. I enjoy tidy spaces and clear surfaces. But if things are put away too well, I forget they exist. Cupboards become black holes.
It’s taken me a long time to figure this out and find a balance. I need things visible but not too overwhelming. Some open shelves, clear boxes, trays, and labels. I need to open drawers and doors regularly though – not just to grab stuff, but to remind myself what’s there. I don’t love clutter, but I do love knowing where things are.
I’m gradually figuring out how my lasering supplies fit into this. The essentials – goggles, tools, accessories – fit neatly in the table the laser is on. The open shelf behind it houses notebooks and a sample of blanks for engraving. I have plywood offcuts in an art portfolio next to my main desk, and my laptop trolley houses more blank items and supplies like spray paint, glue and cleaning stuff. Larger items and the enclosure when not in use are stored next to the table. It’s basically a contained mess.
So yeah, my space is a contradiction. But it works with my brain, and It may not look like much of a system from the outside but so far, so good.
