Many of today's fashionable life coaches tell us that cluttered environments mess with our sense of peace and calm, our focus, and our productivity. Plenty of gurus and television hosts urge us to declutter our desks and homes. And overall, they're right. Research does support the concept that a having a tidy living space and workplace is beneficial. But those messy spaces in your home or office might just inspire you in ways the clutter-free set has yet to notice.

Clutter Might Not Amuse, But Is It a Muse?

Some researchers tell us that clutter supports creativity.

They acknowledge the benefits of a tidy interior space: mainly, the pleasure of easily finding, storing, and keeping track of things. Cleaning out your space can also ensure that it is used more efficiently. And of course, minimalism is important when you go to sell your home.

But when a home is actually lived in, an uncluttered environment, for some folks, may be missing something.

Clutter is conducive to creativity. It stimulates a thought process that veers away from conventional reasoning. 

Clutter Has Its Place

You may find that filing away loose papers and neatly storing randomly scattered objects seems to hit an internal "refresh" button. You may suddenly feel more in control, calm...ready to take on all the tasks! Especially when you need to complete organizational work, your stress level should drop after a good tidying up. And if you're a chef, or working on projects requiring absolute precision, tidiness is paramount. But when you're doing work that requires creative thinking, the clutter cost-benefit analysis shifts.

In a tidy atmosphere, writer's block can get the best of you. Tasks that depend on originality and flair may stall.

When that happens, try going to a room with a lot of interesting, scattered things, with all sorts of hues and shapes and fragrances. See what happens. 

Synopsis: A Call for Moderated Clutter 

Decluttering might enhance productivity, but it can discourage creativity. Often, real creativity is unleashed during a person's least productive days.

Perhaps it's best to keep a balance. Clean when the situation calls for it. Tidy up when you need a break from sitting.

After all, the quest for perfect order can be a source of stress itself. Tidying in a more organic way can be relaxing, and it can help you rediscover unfinished projects merge well with whatever you're creating today. Let yourself appreciate the serendipity that some disorder creates. Meanwhile, take this as a stress reducer if you've been concerned about your clutter. Rather than trying to keep up with the decluttered Joneses, enjoy your environment—your way!

Tweet

If you want to buy a terrific house at a budget-friendly price, it generally is a good idea to plan ahead as much as you can. In fact, with a homebuying strategy in place, you can boost the likelihood of a fast, seamless homebuying experience.

Now, let's take a look at three tips to help you craft a successful homebuying strategy.

1. Think About Your Homebuying Goals

Do you want to live in a warm-weather region? Or, would you prefer to buy a house in a city or town where you can experience all four seasons? Regardless of where you want to live, you need to think about your homebuying goals and incorporate them into your homebuying plan.

Make a list of what you want to find in your dream house – you'll be glad you did. With this list, you can narrow your home search.

Also, it often helps to review your future plans as you put together a homebuying strategy. For example, if you intend to return to school, you may want to consider houses located near top colleges and universities. On the other hand, if you plan to settle down and start a family, you may want to pursue houses near parks and other family-friendly attractions.

2. Consider Your Financing Options

Buying a house likely will be impossible without home financing. Fortunately, there is no shortage of home financing options available.

Oftentimes, it is beneficial to meet with a variety of banks and credit unions. These financial institutions can teach you about myriad mortgage options and help you get pre-approved for a mortgage.

Once you have your home financing settled, you can incorporate a budget into your homebuying strategy. Then, you can check out available houses and avoid the risk of overspending to acquire your ideal residence.

3. Consult with a Real Estate Agent

Developing a homebuying strategy sometimes can be tough, particularly for those who are crafting a homebuying plan for the first time. Lucky for you, real estate agents are available nationwide who can help you complete a successful homebuying journey.

A real estate agent is happy to meet with you and discuss your homebuying goals. He or she also can review your homebuying strategy and offer expert homebuying recommendations.

Let's not forget about the support that a real estate agent can deliver during the homebuying journey, either. A real estate agent will set up home showings, keep you up to date about new houses as they become available and negotiate with a seller's agent on your behalf. Perhaps best of all, a real estate agent will help you minimize stress throughout the homebuying journey and ensure you can purchase your dream home in no time at all.

If you want to get the most out of the homebuying journey, creating a homebuying strategy is a must. Take advantage of the aforementioned tips, and you can craft a successful homebuying strategy.

Tweet