Thanks ! I have the same kind of opinion of Feng Shui - if it works for you, fantastic - if not, what’s the point?
More questions, if you’ll indulge …
There’s room for the computer in the bedroom, but we’re not thrilled about having electronics in our sleeping space. Moving it would create much more room in the living room. (It would be about three feet from the foot of the bed, on the wall opposite our heads and beside the door.) Question: how much better is it to have the computer in the LR than in the BR?
Also, what about clutter? I generate it. I can’t help it. All the poor people in my office are forced to look in my messy cube every time they’re at the water cooler, and my tiny apartment fills up with crap pretty quickly.
I can contain it if I need to (like when my roommate was the type of person who is incapable of generating or living among clutter) but naturally I just let it out. Some people say that this massive presence of ‘stuff’ in my space creates clutter in my head, and I’m better off with a clear space. Problem is I just can’t do it.
The question, then: For an inveterate clutterer like myself, is it better to struggle against it and try to keep things tidy, or to let the chips fall where they may (so to speak) and go for a clutter management kind of approach?
Ok, I live in a house where my wife and I can each have an office. We have two spare bedrooms (for impending children) living room, dining, room, kitchen, impending family room, and finished basement. We have both worked very hard for these things…We started out in college with a one bedroom closet and lot’s o’stuff!
My current opinion is, the bedroom is made for sleeping, dressing, and peeing if you habe a bathroom in it. ( Oh and for practicing making ba…:eek: ) never mind off topic.
My opinion for you in your situation is to move the computer in your bedroom to create more living space. If you don’t like it you can move it back. As for electronics in your room…I don’t see too much of a problem. However, if you are going to be using the computer for school…that mat present a problem with it being in the bedroom. Habit of association says, the bed is for sleeping, and the bedroom is for seeking out rest…so with the computer in there you may be more inclined to sleep…than stay up and write a term paper. So my final advice is weigh the options and try a trial move…if you don’t like it…go back to what you had.
There is a behavioural therapy technique called flooding. Where you expose the individual to a massive dose of something they fear…over time the fear quells and they learn to get over their phobia. Example: someone afraid of snakes…first show them lot’s of pictures…then movies, then a trip to the zoo…see what I mean.
The technique also can work in reverse. But be careful, it can backfire quickly. If you are rearranging this weekend…and you consider yourself a maker of clutter…try throwing everything you have on the floor, until you can not see carpet! everywhere! Make a huge mess. Then without delay…pick it all up…it will most likely be aversive so it may quell your urge to be a clutter bug.
If you do not want to be that drastic…find an organization style that fit’s your needs…At work…buy or make some funky filing system…amd stick to it. It is so easy for me to outline how to change a habit…but the onus is on you! Don’t worry organization will come…
My situation: In my first apartment, wrestling with the usual issues of trying to make a rather utilitarian space look ‘homey.’
I’m still buying my first furniture pieces for the living room, and I can’t seem to figure out how to arrange the room so that the television isn’t the focal point of the room. I thought of arranging the furniture to essentially make two ‘spaces’ in one room, but my efforts make it look really disjointed. Suggestions?
Any suggestions to combat the overwhelming beigeness of my apt are appreciated, also. Both carpet and walls are almost the same shade of beige. I’ve put up some framed posters, but the effect is kinda ‘blah’ and vaguely dorm-room-looking. If I must paint, I will, but for now I’d like to try other ways of making the place colorful.
The background:
I’m a graduate student in a large physics department and for an example - lets take a look at our ‘lounge’. The room is large - probably 40 x 20.
The furniture (the color of all being some shade of brown, olive green and unidentified nappy mustard-ish):
2 very very wobbly round tables.
~10 chairs, none of which are suitable for sitting (mostly 50s era office chairs - vinyl, wheel bases, the attachment between chair and base mostly broken on all of them)
4 couch-like things.
A large bookshelf - mostly empty, about 4 years (1977-1981) worth of some physics journal.
2 old lab tables which serve as a computer desk, table for the always empty stapler and the one and only useful thing - a really good laser printer.
1 old table-like thing that holds the department coffee pot.
1 whiteboard that was written on with permanent marker.
The room is used once a week - for the department Tea. It is supposed to serve as the graduate student lounge. Every now and again, the issue of ‘morale’ comes up in the department (often in conjunction with discussing why there are so few females in physics). Invariably, the issue of the lounge comes up as an example of something that could be improved. This has always been replied to with some surly reply about ‘If women are influenced by frivolous things like chairs, they must not have the correct priorities to function in a pure science such as physics.’ :rolleyes:
The questions:
Is there a large gender difference in the affects of physical environment on productivity / morale / etc.?
How does one go about convicing skeptics that there’s some merit to the claim that surroundings can influence these intangibles?
OOPS - I accidentaally tabbed to Submit…damned mongrel hampsters!
Let’s try this again:
Classic blunder my dear ol’chap - As graduate students you must all learn never to place gender infront of judgement. That said, there are numerous published materials (including some well nkown ones by yours truely) in the field of Environmental Psychology showing how ones surroundings influence ones behaviours. As physics graduate students, studies of this nature would be of little interest to you. But needless to say, environment plays a major role in ones behaviours.
For your space I would recommend several options. First, who has the authority and access to the budget? Is it an option to dip into an operations budget say $500 for some color and plants, maybe a central nodal area…some small furniture perhaps.
If this is not an option, I would recommend finding some greenery to accent the areas people will see most. Maybe a throw carpet with some color.
To further elaborate a past point, I have included the preceeding sentence to my prior quote. Why are you guys wondering why there are so many women in physics? Please tell me as graduate students in a science field you are not being influenced (intimidated by) the sudden influx of the opposite sex.
That said, try putting some decoration on the shelves, and asking the powers that be for an upgrade for the furniture.
**Magickly ** - You are on the right track with thinking making two separate spaces in one room is good. Because for those with one bedroom appartments, this is a necessity. Check what I said to the gentleman having problems in his office. Scroll up a bit. Using randomly placed 24x36 colored construction paper on the walls at integral places can work wonders…then try adding drapes and throw pillows to match those. It will take shape with time and budgeting.
Pardon Me! I appologize. The advice on the decor still stands however. And good luck with your future studies.*
I have recently had to have a conversation with one of my students on his actions towards other female students. He was making broad generalizations regarding the female population on campus, his actions were purly based on him being intimidated. Keep up the good work in your field!
I am sorry people are making such remarks in your department, and doubley so at a specific gender.