Chronically disorganized people can be more intelligent and creative, a study suggests.
Can't find your car keys or cell phone? If you have a workspace, it's a mess. Nothing is where it should be. You could possibly be "suffering" from what psychologists now call "chronic confusion." But what these experts are now hinting at is that chronically disorganized people are more intelligent and more creative, according to PowerofPostivity.
Here are 5 ways that suggest that intelligent and creative people often have messy homes:
A study by researchers at the University of Minnesota reportedly found that a cluttered home tends to boost creativity and novelty. They found that a clean environment promotes generosity and healthy eating while cluttered environments could make people more likely to think outside the box. Some people like a cluttered home because it inspires new ideas and worldviews.
Highly intelligent people tend to dislike authority and have a strong sense of independence. As such, they may clean their homes less often because they find it pointless to chase the flock. For them, a messy house doesn't say anything negative about their personality, so it's not a problem.
“Prior work has found that a clean setting leads people to do good things: Not engage in crime, not litter, and show more generosity,” psychological scientist and lead author of the study Kathleen Vohs pointed out. “We found, however, that you can get really valuable outcomes from being in a messy setting.”
Intelligent and creative people reportedly clean up only when they can't stand being messy anymore. They make their own rules because they don't care about being accepted by others.
Highly intelligent people spend most of their time reading books and researching topics that interest them. They are so engrossed in their passion that cleaning is not on their minds. That's why they prefer to clean once a month or whenever they get the chance. They may devote their energies to developing new technologies or running large businesses that require a lot of attention. Highly intelligent people focus on complex ideas such as quantum physics and other scientific topics. “Disorderly environments seem to inspire breaking free of tradition, which can produce fresh insights,” Vohs explained. “Orderly environments, in contrast, encourage convention and playing it safe."
Creative people often get lost in their thoughts and forget about their surroundings. They are in their own world, contemplating the existence and nature of our universe. They get so caught up in these thoughts that they pay little attention to anything else. Unlike most people, they don't get excited about mundane events like eating at a new restaurant or buying the latest gadget.
Intelligent and creative people find cleaning rather monotonous and uninteresting. They only clean when they need to, meaning that they have a higher clutter threshold than most people. It's not high on their to-do list because they need more mental stimulation than cleaning can provide. After all, they have to run businesses and pursue scientific endeavors.
Everyday work seems boring compared to imagining a better future and taking steps to make it happen. Ordinary people may enjoy the reward of a clean house, but geniuses may see it as a punishment.
So, the next time someone annoys you over cleaning your room or house, just give them these facts, and you can continue your genius work.
References:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0956797613480186
Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Willie B. Thomas
Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
