With reference to my last post about making choices, missing golf, and other assorted moans, it took me all week but I got the job done!
Clearing the mountain of paper, books, files and assorted flotsam and jetsam off my desk took longer than I expected. Sorting through the piles (which resulted in several “So that’s where that went … ” moments), organizing an enormous collection of business cards, filing papers and information appropriately, and … um … making yet another “to do” list finally led to this.
I decided not to post after last Tuesday until I could show you the final result. Ta Daaaaa!

I had chocolate to celebrate!
I don’t always write in here as I like to take my laptop into other rooms when the spirit moves me, or out to the terrace. This is Control Central though, when I am in Toronto, and it’s been unrecognizable for several months as I copped out and simply piled everything into a frightening, sloppy mess. Seriously. I don’t know why I did that. I just did!
I’m feeling much better now.
It’s so much easier to focus on writing without that haunting image playing constantly in the back of my mind.
Have you ever let all your paperwork get completely out of hand or are you always organized? I’m seriously going to attempt the latter from now on. How do you do it?
I am very impressed. And envious. I let it get out of hand. Eventually I clear it up and promise myself I won’t do it again. But I do. And such is the cycle of my life.
Bravo! Bravo!! I’m also VERY impressed. Thanks for the push!! T.
Wow! I’ve got my work cut out for me.
Fabulous! It is so much easier to work in a clean space…
Wow! It looks great. So many photos surrounding you…though I expected that from you. 😀
When my desk is too covered in paper to get to I just put my laptop in the kitchen instead… I cleared it the other day but I am still in the kitchen – must be habit!
I did that at the start of the holidays and found it a tremendous help to start revising my novel. Although, ironically, I never actually worked on the novel in the study, but on the terrace, the sofa, the bed…
I am still looking for my desks–but am finally motivated to do it since I have almost run our business into the ground (just kidding, sort of)–good for you–you give me inspiration
Congrats on a job well done!! I think I will have some chocolate to celebrate with you :).
Looks good Patricia. In the last few days the girls and I have been purging and “simplifying” our house as the build up of things being moved all around thanks to over 2 months of summer holidays hasn’t helped. Yesterday we cleaned up the twins room. They were a big help and having them decide what is really important to them was a great exercise. We celebrated by having freezies and smoothies!
Looks fantastic!, We have a room that looks a mess. Need to sort out
and clean it up. Just needed a little push to get started. Better get started tomorrow. I’ll have something chocolate to celebrate with you.
You are making me feel so guilty that I have not even finished spring cleaning in my apartment yet! Good job!
I’m impressed. I often let it pile up and then when I do tackle it, it is such a huge job. I wish I could just keep it tidy all the time but I guess as writers we have other priorities.
I am definitely living in the ninth circle of clutter. This post is a reminder that I need to do something about changing that.
Good for you! Isn’t it a wonderful feeling? Looks great.
It’s cathartic to have a clear out, but although I’m very neat I always have a pile next to the computer. I know more or less exactly what’s in it, but if I clear it then another pile mysteriously appears…..I wonder how that happens? I love your writing/working space, Patricia – the photos/pics are amazing!
Yay! It looks beautiful now! I let my pile of stuff to file get to about 5″ high, then I spend an hour or less putting it all where it belongs. I usually use my laptop as I sit with my feet up so, my desk does tend to gather the detritus of daily life: magazines, mail that isn’t urgent, cards and trinkets my grandgirls make for me. About once a month I find the right places for all those things and it does feel good not to have that nagging at me! Glad you took care of that before flying south so you can come back home to a neat office.
It’s so easy for everything to explode without even thinking about it. Your desk looks marvelous now. I keep trying to move myself from the dining room table back into my office – some days I have more success than others. I tell myself I work at the dining room table so I can get to Tom faster if he needs me. Happy writing on that new manuscript of yours. Do you have a working title?