Comments on: Creating a minimalist workspace — from Zen Habits http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/ Daily tips on how to organize your home and office. Sun, 06 Jul 2008 09:27:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: John Doe http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-15625 John Doe Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:48:05 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-15625 Summary of the above comments; You're a cold, boring, uninspired and SCARY person! Allow me to redefine minimalism for my personal needs, ignorant swine! By the way, a TRUE minimalist doesn't need a computer - using your brain is the next best thing. and lol@ the guy who says that cluttered people are the geniuses. Why are you even here? Summary of the above comments;

You’re a cold, boring, uninspired and SCARY person! Allow me to redefine minimalism for my personal needs, ignorant swine! By the way, a TRUE minimalist doesn’t need a computer - using your brain is the next best thing.

and lol@ the guy who says that cluttered people are the geniuses. Why are you even here?

]]> By: becoming minimalist http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-15212 becoming minimalist Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:16:25 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-15212 i found that minimalizing my office had many benefits. the biggest one is that i have eliminated so many distractions from my workspace. it allows my mind matches my activity. i found that minimalizing my office had many benefits. the biggest one is that i have eliminated so many distractions from my workspace. it allows my mind matches my activity.

]]> By: Mark M http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-11064 Mark M Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:53:12 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-11064 The workspace looks cold and lonely to me. I like to work with a clean workspace but this just seems too overdone to me. If you are super-minimalist then I suppose this kind of workspace is ideal, but for the average person this isn't practical. The workspace looks cold and lonely to me. I like to work with a clean workspace but this just seems too overdone to me.

If you are super-minimalist then I suppose this kind of workspace is ideal, but for the average person this isn’t practical.

]]> By: MissAnonyMiss http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-11053 MissAnonyMiss Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:55:19 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-11053 I think the picture is too extreme, Minimalist to me means uncluttered and simple, but not bland, It can also have colour! I try to be as minimalist as possible but living in London makes me practically need more things than I would if I was living in a remote mountain. I have a large 1930's side table with my Flat screen on top. (hidden inside is my PC/scanner and other necessary bits and bobs) The room is white with a white floor/walls and a few bright bold colourfull accesories to brighten it up. It is minimalist yet alive! I dont want to feel like im in a padded cell! I think the picture is too extreme, Minimalist to me means uncluttered and simple, but not bland, It can also have colour!

I try to be as minimalist as possible but living in London makes me practically need more things than I would if I was living in a remote mountain.

I have a large 1930’s side table with my Flat screen on top. (hidden inside is my PC/scanner and other necessary bits and bobs)
The room is white with a white floor/walls and a few bright bold colourfull accesories to brighten it up.
It is minimalist yet alive! I dont want to feel like im in a padded cell!

]]> By: JefferyK http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10811 JefferyK Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:17:06 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10811 My workspace isn't bare -- I have desk lamps and a few illustrations I love tacked up -- but I have nothing I don't use regularly on my desk. I know where everything I need is and I can get to it quickly. As a result, I am very productive. Every quick, productive, effective person I have ever worked with has had a clear desk. Hmm. My workspace isn’t bare — I have desk lamps and a few illustrations I love tacked up — but I have nothing I don’t use regularly on my desk. I know where everything I need is and I can get to it quickly. As a result, I am very productive. Every quick, productive, effective person I have ever worked with has had a clear desk. Hmm.

]]> By: Andy http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10611 Andy Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:35:46 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10611 I think you could do away with the mouse on that desk. If you learned the keyboard shortcut keys, you wouldn't need it. ;) I think you could do away with the mouse on that desk. If you learned the keyboard shortcut keys, you wouldn’t need it. ;)

]]> By: JB http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10306 JB Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:59:13 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10306 That screen looks awfully big. I'm sure it is not minimal. That screen looks awfully big. I’m sure it is not minimal.

]]> By: Patricia Miller http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10197 Patricia Miller Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:18:21 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10197 Minimalist workspaces start with the space. I work for Anthro Corporation - we offer ergonomic modular mobile workstations. April is one of our Biggest Sales! Simple organized designs and on sale....affordable organization! Minimalist workspaces start with the space. I work for Anthro Corporation - we offer ergonomic modular mobile workstations. April is one of our Biggest Sales! Simple organized designs and on sale….affordable organization!

]]> By: joan http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10163 joan Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:14:29 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10163 what do you do at tax time? when you have a biz you have to keep records or you are in big trouble if the irs audits you. unless someone is so wealthy they can pay and not fight it by proving their tax info is correct. and i think zen means you probably shouldn't clutter up your bank account too much with extra money ;) just kidding! what do you do at tax time? when you have a biz you have to keep records or you are in big trouble if the irs audits you. unless someone is so wealthy they can pay and not fight it by proving their tax info is correct. and i think zen means you probably shouldn’t clutter up your bank account too much with extra money ;) just kidding!

]]> By: DrJ http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10150 DrJ Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:37:17 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10150 Ok, I'm waaay late to this party. For me, fully decluttered is too sterile, but that's been discussed and dealt with already. Each to his own. No, more importantly is that I LEAGALLY cannot go paperless. Ok, it may be an effect of the country I'm in and may be different in the US. But here I have a small business and work as a freelancer. I must be able to produce all bills, receipts, contracts, etc etc in the ORIGINAL for ten years. I cannot scan in receipts and dispose of them. I cannot say an email is enough, because I need signed contracts. So as nice as it all sounds, it is illegal for me to do that. Ok, I’m waaay late to this party.

For me, fully decluttered is too sterile, but that’s been discussed and dealt with already. Each to his own.

No, more importantly is that I LEAGALLY cannot go paperless. Ok, it may be an effect of the country I’m in and may be different in the US. But here I have a small business and work as a freelancer. I must be able to produce all bills, receipts, contracts, etc etc in the ORIGINAL for ten years. I cannot scan in receipts and dispose of them. I cannot say an email is enough, because I need signed contracts. So as nice as it all sounds, it is illegal for me to do that.

]]> By: Dave Doolin http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10149 Dave Doolin Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:01:05 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10149 A minimalist desk as pictured is not a "destination." It's a journey, a process. A minimalist desk as pictured is not a “destination.” It’s a journey, a process.

]]> By: cohnsey http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10133 cohnsey Mon, 31 Mar 2008 06:25:36 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10133 I need to do that to my workspace. right now, i have a bunch of papers lying around and random nicknacks (spelling?) I need to do that to my workspace. right now, i have a bunch of papers lying around and random nicknacks (spelling?)

]]> By: billy http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10088 billy Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:32:40 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-10088 nice vibe. nice vibe.

]]> By: Steve http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-9959 Steve Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:55:57 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-9959 Sorry, but I think that what Leo writes about is not minimalism but simplicity. I have read from his blog or should I say 'list-server' and he often (always) writes about the simplification of things. True minimalism when applied to our lifestyle is not just about simplification and reduction. Probably more important are the aesthetics of what remains. When I look at the picture within this blog I am thinking "where is the beauty in that"? Thats why people think Leo's workspace is too extreme and why others have a few photos (of beautiful people or whatever) The iMac, although great, is not one of Apple's more beautiful designs. Also a true minimalist would have to replace that desk. Sorry, but I think that what Leo writes about is not minimalism but simplicity. I have read from his blog or should I say ‘list-server’ and he often (always) writes about the simplification of things. True minimalism when applied to our lifestyle is not just about simplification and reduction. Probably more important are the aesthetics of what remains. When I look at the picture within this blog I am thinking “where is the beauty in that”?

Thats why people think Leo’s workspace is too extreme and why others have a few photos (of beautiful people or whatever)

The iMac, although great, is not one of Apple’s more beautiful designs.

Also a true minimalist would have to replace that desk.

]]> By: JP http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-9876 JP Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:19:31 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-9876 Somewhere between the disaster my desk and office has become and the showroom quality of your desk is the ideal I am sure. Thanks for sharing your experience. Somewhere between the disaster my desk and office has become and the showroom quality of your desk is the ideal I am sure. Thanks for sharing your experience.

]]> By: Christian http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-9415 Christian Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:37:00 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-9415 Lol, lots of harsh opinions being thrown around. I guess most people don't take kindly to that sort of stark minimalism. But if that concept is so scary or whatever, then you have to wonder why these people visit a site called unclutterer in the first place. Lol, lots of harsh opinions being thrown around. I guess most people don’t take kindly to that sort of stark minimalism. But if that concept is so scary or whatever, then you have to wonder why these people visit a site called unclutterer in the first place.

]]> By: Nina http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-9398 Nina Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:23:52 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-9398 I'm going to agree with those who said this is WAY too extreme. In fact, it's borderline obsessive. Yes I believe that its necessary to organize, but this has gone WAY too far. Aesthetically, the author's desk looks empty and cold -- could this be a reflection of the person himself? And not having any paper around? That works if you're a "professional blogger," but that will never work for those of us with real jobs. I’m going to agree with those who said this is WAY too extreme. In fact, it’s borderline obsessive. Yes I believe that its necessary to organize, but this has gone WAY too far. Aesthetically, the author’s desk looks empty and cold — could this be a reflection of the person himself?

And not having any paper around? That works if you’re a “professional blogger,” but that will never work for those of us with real jobs.

]]> By: Anna http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-9347 Anna Tue, 18 Mar 2008 04:50:15 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-9347 Great idea, yet I see few things that can not be absent even in minimalist workspace. Here - good lighting and cell phone charger. Great idea, yet I see few things that can not be absent even in minimalist workspace. Here - good lighting and cell phone charger.

]]> By: Luke http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-9293 Luke Mon, 17 Mar 2008 05:43:33 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-9293 Wow! I minimalised my desk the other day after reading this and I can't believe how much better it is! I bought a nifty green inbox and now all I have on my desk is that, my iMac (early white G5), speakers (the console is under desk) and a small stack of post-its with a stationery cup on top. If I had my own way, I get some better smaller speakers. But they're hand-me-downs so I don't have much choice. Wow! I minimalised my desk the other day after reading this and I can’t believe how much better it is!

I bought a nifty green inbox and now all I have on my desk is that, my iMac (early white G5), speakers (the console is under desk) and a small stack of post-its with a stationery cup on top.

If I had my own way, I get some better smaller speakers. But they’re hand-me-downs so I don’t have much choice.

]]> By: skyearth http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-9288 skyearth Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:12:09 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/12/creating-a-minimalist-workspace/#comment-9288 What do people do about all those bits of paper they need to keep for the IRS, or for the mortgage company? What do people do about all those bits of paper they need to keep for the IRS, or for the mortgage company?

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