Should you keep your bench tidy? And why I rarely do!

09 October 2019

You probably should yes! Tis all well in theory, and I imagine it is fairly typical that folks clean up after each session. However, putting that into practice time after time, build after build etc is not always possible for me personally. I seem to be far more creative if I don’t continuously tidy up around me. It’s simply a distraction! Sure, I do clean up and when I do its usually out of necessity and will inevitably lead to a mammoth clean up. Although I know deep down it probably would be an easier space to manage without all the accumulated clutter, I’m not fastidious about routines. Being neurodivergent sees to that!

I saved this as it’s an amusing reminder of what a day in the life of me can be like:

I can quite easily go to put the bins out, get talking to a neighbour, forget to actually put the bins out then inexplicably go to the local shop, buy shit I don’t need, come home, see a hobby parcel from the postie, forget or even loose what I bought from the shop, open the parcel, it’s a book, start reading it, see an image, go to the PC, to for more info on the image, get a Facebook pop up, get lost in Facebook for an hour and only when I need a pee does this cycle get broke.  Whilst peeing I remember I went to the shops but can’t remember why or what for. I now forget about the book I am reading and start looking for my shopping. I then see food in the Fridge I would like to eat so start preparing a snack. I then make a brew. My wife then asks me if I put the bins out so although the food might get eaten the brew will most certainly go cold. And off we go again!!!!

So, as you can see, a clean bench is the least of my worries! Even if I do remain focussed to get a project off the line, a tidy up after each session could easily direct that focus elswhere! 

My dedicated mancave is smaller than many children’s bedrooms. At less than 3x2m internally it has undergone three major changes since it was built. I like to think each one has improved my ability to carry out tasks more efficiently, but the reality is the more 'stuff' I have, the harder it is to manage and clean! Consequently, I do separate my space into work areas. Being right-handed it naturally flows left to right. First space is the 'build area' the next is the 'prep for paint', followed by the spray booth, a 'finishing' area and finally a little worktop photo both. Often if I am on a 'roll' with a project the build area won't get cleaned as I move onto the prep area. I know it will be a distraction and god forbid if I discover anything interesting whilst cleaning up, that rabbit hole will be explored!

So, to the original question. 'should I keep my bench tidy?’ Whilst it maybe for you it's not an essential requirement for me! My life is pretty messy, so it rarely bothers me that the bench is too. I am however, slowly adapting. It is great to see other modellers keep tidy workspaces and they look super clean and inviting. After viewing one fellow modeller's clean workspace online I took his advise by splitting my bench into different work areas, and it instantly helped. The very fact I don’t have to tidy up the build area to instantly progress to the next stage improves my workflow, and I like to think I’m a fraction more productive because of it.

Happy days