brainers

that's right, brainers.  left brainer or right brainer, that's what i'm pondering this morning.

i was reading an article on realsimple.com entitled "organizing for your personality" and it got me thinking...i'm a stacker, a list-maker, and a squirreller (aka, i shove things out of sight so that they don't kill the aesthetics of surfaces...but often wind up forgetting where items have been hidden away...woops!).  i like visual order, but don't care if closets and drawers are stuffed without order.

i go on random tirades during which i'll toss everything out of storage and put it back in perfect order.  this lasts about two days until my good intentions go to the wayside and my toothbrush somehow winds up in my bra drawer.  don't ask me why.

my boyfriend, on the other hand, is incredibly organized.  batteries are found in the one drawer designated for batteries, camera items are stored in their original casing and carefully tucked in their designated spot.  he even folds his underwear.

we sometimes drive each other crazy.  he displays his documents, etc. all over the countertops.  he knows where they are, he knows why they're there, and he likes it that way.

all i see is clutter.

i come swooping through the kitchen and make piles of his items.  stacking, shuffling, and then...stuffing somewhere out of sight.

it is said that your handedness determines which side of the brain you predominantly use.  that it determines your level of creativity or rationality, your strengths and your weaknesses.  apparently, it even goes so far as to potentially determine your organizational style.

i'm a lefty.  the boyfriend is a righty.  this would suggest that while i'm a right brainer, he is a left brainer.

but is this really true?

i checked out their list which is supposedly helpful in determining which side of the brain you use, and therefore your style of organization.  here it is (i have bolded those that i relate to)


1. When I'm finished using an item, I put it away immediately.
2. I love being surrounded by vibrant colors.
3. Whether I'm looking at a work of art or a room, I tend to prefer symmetrical design.
4. I like to move around my furniture a few times a year rather than stick with the same arrangement.
5. I'm the go-to party planner for friends and family.
6. Keeping current projects where I can see them is a must.
7. I love having a designated spot for each item in my closet or drawers.
8. On my computer, I often have multiple windows open at once.
9. I have a specific morning routine that I always follow to a T.
10. When making major purchases, I usually follow my instincts rather than do research.
11. I often wear the same jewelry every day.
12. If I have to explain directions to someone, I'll draw her a map instead of telling her verbally.
13. When I find a great dish at a restaurant, I order it every time I go there.
14. I often drive with the Empty light flashing.
15. I always bring a shopping list to the grocery store.
16. I have a lot of knickknacks around the house.
17. My books and CDs are in order, so I can always find what I'm looking for.
18. My desk is filled with piles of papers, sticky notes, and business cards.
19. I feel guilty if I don't follow the rules while playing board games.
20. I'm fine with other people making last-minute changes to plans.

i came up with 4 even, 5 odd.  supposedly, if you chose more odd numbers than even, you are a left brainer.  if you've chosen more even numbers than odd, you're a right brainer.

organizational description of left brainer:
You tend to crave designated locations for everything. Because you like to sort, options with compartments can be especially satisfying. Left-leaners often prefer to keep things out of sight, so boxes that stack nicely in drawers or closets are appealing. Categorizing by date or event comes naturally, and multiples of identical storage options (say, matched photo albums) feed your urge for extreme order.


organizational description of right brainer:
Forget about trying to adhere to strict rules. Your keep-it-neat plan should capitalize on your pull toward the creative and the emotional. Containers you already own and love can be motivating. Investigate your clutter patterns: Do you drop your necklace on the bathroom counter when you're getting ready for bed? Maybe you need a wall hook by the sink to catch jewelry. If it works for you, it's correct.

my results above would indicate that i am a left brainer, yet this contradicts my left handedness.  am i a rare contradiction, either a superhuman both-sides brainer, or a neither-side-is-superfunctional-brainer?

either the above list is effed up, or i am.  what are your results?