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Why chaos gives us purpose and what science says about being a bit messy
Some minds need disorder to feel alive.
My wife loves a clean house. I mean, really loves it. For her, a place for everything and everything in its place isn’t just a motto; it’s a prerequisite for peace of mind.
For me, a perfectly ordered apartment feels like a museum — beautiful, but not a place to actually “live”.
When the apartment is messy, I have purpose.
There are dishes to wash, books to reorganize, a surface to clear. It’s a living, breathing ecosystem of tasks. When I’m pressed by an avalanche of problems, I feel most alert, scanning for solutions like a detective at a crime scene.
Don’t mistake me for a chaotic person — I’m anything but. In fact, I’m highly organized by nature, constantly sketching mental plans for whatever needs doing. And like any loving husband, I genuinely want to honor my wife’s wishes for a tidy home.
Managing priorities
The truth is more nuanced. I have what some might call a character flaw: I’m a resource-optimizer, an energy-saver, a lover of practical efficiency.
