Simulations With You
When Everything Came Crashing Down
It was an ordinary Monday morning with sunlight streaming through the window. As I took a sip of coffee and opened my computer, I found 47 unread emails waiting in my inbox. Major changes had swept through the company, and the ripple effects meant my workload had multiplied beyond anything I'd experienced before. The term "restructuring" felt like an understatement—everything was in chaos.
"Where do I even start today?"
It was a question that repeated itself every morning. In the past, my daily routine had some predictability to it. But lately, things were different. On top of my existing responsibilities, I'd been assigned new projects that seemed to multiply endlessly. It felt like walking through a long tunnel with no end in sight.
Multitasking Wasn't the Answer
People often admire those who can juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. I wished I had that ability too. But if I'm being honest, that's never been my strength. I'm the type who works best by tackling one thing at a time, moving through tasks methodically and carefully.
Yet the company was throwing multiple balls at me all at once. While drafting a report for Project A, I had to attend meetings for Project B and keep track of deadlines for Task C. Each item felt equally urgent and important. Nothing could be postponed.
"I'll do this first, then that later..."
I tried planning it all out in my head, but even creating a plan felt overwhelming. It was hard to determine what truly took priority. Everything seemed urgent. Everything seemed important. No matter how many to-do lists I created, they only seemed to grow longer.
The Invisible Weight
Stress is an invisible burden. My shoulders felt heavy, my neck stiff. Sleep didn't come easily at night, and mornings brought a struggle just to get out of bed. Even while sipping coffee, my mind remained consumed with work thoughts. Sometimes I wondered, "What am I doing wrong?" Everyone else seemed to manage somehow, while I felt uniquely overwhelmed. But that was an illusion. Everyone struggles in their own way. They just don't always show it on the outside.
A Confrontation with My Messy Desk
Around 3 PM, I stood up from my chair to stretch. That's when my eyes landed on my desk. It was so cluttered that I couldn't even remember when it had gotten this bad.
Unused pens were scattered everywhere. Post-it notes clung haphazardly around my monitor. Old documents were piled up, and there was even a half-eaten bag of snacks. I spotted a business card I'd received two months ago, still sitting in the same spot. My desk looked just like my mind—complicated and chaotic.
In that moment, a thought struck me.
"You know what? Forget it all. Let me just start by organizing my desk."
I was tired of planning. Tired of prioritizing. I just wanted to clean up what was right in front of me. Strangely enough, that simple decision brought a sense of relief. At least I knew exactly what needed to be done: make the desk clean. That one clear objective was all I needed to think about.
The Beginning of Order
First, I sorted out what I didn't need. Pens that had run out of ink, notebooks too old to use anymore, meaningless scraps of paper. One by one, they went into the trash. Initially, I thought, "Maybe I'll need this later..." but I pushed through and discarded them anyway.
I organized the Post-it notes too. Important information got transferred to my notebook, while notes about completed tasks were removed entirely. I went through the documents, separating what I needed from what I didn't. Essential papers went into my filing organizer; the rest were discarded.
Finally, I wiped down the desk thoroughly. I cleared away dust and cleaned the monitor with a screen cloth. I removed debris from between the keyboard keys. With each movement, the desk became a little cleaner.
The Comfort of a Clean Surface
When I sat back down after finishing, something felt different. Only the essentials remained on my desk: my laptop, one notebook, two pens, and a small plant. That was it.
A wave of relief washed over me. It felt like setting down a heavy burden. Of course, my workload hadn't decreased. There were still countless tasks ahead, and prioritizing them remained just as difficult. The company's chaotic situation hadn't changed either.
But at least in this moment, my mind felt calmer. Looking at the clean desk gave me a small sense of accomplishment. "Ah, I actually did something." It wasn't a big achievement, but creating change in one small area I could control—that felt meaningful.
How a Small Change Refreshed My Mood
After organizing my desk, work didn't suddenly become easier. Tasks remained complex, and meetings were still plentiful. But one thing had changed: my mood.
Sitting at a clean desk, I could focus a bit better. Without the distraction of a cluttered environment, my mind felt somewhat more organized too. It wasn't a perfect solution, but at least I had created some breathing room.
That evening on my way home, a thought occurred to me. Sometimes, instead of trying to create elaborate plans, it might be better to start by organizing something small right in front of you. Rather than attempting to solve everything at once, beginning with one manageable task—that might actually be the more realistic approach.
Organize Your Digital Space
Sometimes we can't clean our physical desk right away. If you need a moment of organizing zen right now, try our Satisfying Sort game. It’s a simple puzzle where you sort colors into tubes—a perfect digital palate cleanser for a cluttered mind.
Try Satisfying SortA Small Practice You Can Try Too
If you're feeling overwhelmed by too many things right now, why not try organizing your desk? This isn't grand advice. It's not a cure-all solution. But it can at least provide a mental refresh.
Throwing away unnecessary pens, organizing old papers, wiping down your desk—these small actions can come together to create a little breathing space in your mind. Of course, this alone won't solve all your problems. But at minimum, it creates room to breathe.
Sometimes, instead of struggling with complex problems, it's better to start with something simple. Organizing your desk is a good starting point in that sense. Visible changes can influence your mental state too.
Looking Back
Since that day, I've made it a habit to organize my desk once a week. Each time, I think, "Wow, it piled up again," but afterwards, I feel good.
Work remains busy. Prioritizing tasks is still challenging. But at least my desk is clean. And that small space brings me comfort.
How does your desk look right now? If it's messy, why not take a moment to organize it today? It might not solve all the world's problems, but it could bring a small sense of peace to your mind.