Intelligent individuals are frequently portrayed as being organized and in charge. However, this is not always the case. Many bright individuals are really rather untidy, and this is not due to a lack of organization or carelessness. It’s simply because they have so many interests and ideas that consume their time and mental energy that keeping their houses or workstations neat isn’t a priority for them. Messiness may be evidence of intelligence since it indicates that the individual is so preoccupied with higher-level thinking, fantasizing, or exploring ideas that day-to-day duties like cleaning just slip their mind. Those with chaotic spaces are also more creative, curious thinkers who thrive in confusion and aren’t discouraged by clutter or disarray. As long as these problems don’t interfere with other aspects of life, clever individuals who welcome disarray rather than aiming for perfection every step of the way are intriguing.

Kathleen Vohs is a University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management professor who has undertaken a substantial study on the relationship between messiness and intellect. According to her findings, clever people are more likely to have dirty houses than less intelligent ones. Vohs argues that highly intelligent people are more focused on other things than ordinary domestic activities like organizing and cleaning.

Furthermore, being disorganized may aid creative thinkers by creating a sense of ease and allowing them to focus on their ideas without feeling pressured to have a flawlessly put-together area. Furthermore, her research discovered that having a chaotic or disorderly place might really help feed creativity and create an environment for the generation of new ideas. According to the conclusions of Vohs’ research, having an untidy house does not imply that someone is dumb or unorganized; rather, it may be a sign of superior intellectual aptitude.

So, here are five reasons why a messy house may indicate high intelligence:

1. Intellectually adept people frequently have the ability to think at a higher level, leaving them with less time to focus on the minutiae of daily life. Tidying up one’s house is sometimes regarded as a job that detracts from more intellectually engaging pursuits; therefore, clever individuals may be more prone to leaving their homes messy while devoting their time and energy elsewhere.

2. Messy households are generally associated with creative and curious individuals who are unabashedly drawn to turmoil. It indicates that the owner of such a property is open to new ideas and eager to think beyond the box, even if it means venturing off the main road. In other words, having a filthy house may indicate a high degree of intellect because it generally indicates that the individual who lives there is unconcerned with complying with society’s standards and is more focused on following their own hobbies and interests.

3. When confronted with a wealth of fascinating ideas, subjects, and projects vying for attention, it is difficult for clever individuals to be motivated to focus on monotonous duties such as cleaning. It can be difficult to resist the desire to pursue one’s curiosity, especially when it provides far more cerebral stimulation than cleaning. Intelligent people may find it difficult to prioritize everyday tasks above intellectual activities that they find more interesting and fulfilling. This does not mean, however, that they are unable or unwilling to do these things. Instead, it shows that their desire to learn and explore is stronger than their need to be clean.

4. Intelligent individuals may struggle to precisely estimate the time it takes to accomplish a task, especially when organizing and cleaning. Cleaning and organizing are generally time-consuming jobs that require a great deal of concentration and attention to detail. Intelligent people can quickly become immersed in a task, causing them to vastly underestimate the time required to complete it. They may also find themselves straying from their work in favor of other, more exciting hobbies, reducing the amount of time they devote to finishing the activity. As a result, bright people frequently underestimate the time it takes them to execute seemingly little activities.

5. Messy environments create a sense of comfort for clever individuals who do not want to spend too much time or energy beautifying and making their house or workstation visually pleasant. Messy houses can allow clever individuals to express themselves without fear of being criticized by others, while also allowing them to focus more on things they like, such as reading and studying. Clutter in their environment may even inspire creativity, inspiring new ideas and initiatives. A person’s intellect is still obvious despite the clutter; nevertheless, these clever individuals do not feel forced to comply with society’s expectation of a nice and tidy home in order to prove it.

Intelligent individuals frequently have dirty houses because they are preoccupied with hobbies and projects that are more interesting than cleaning and arranging. Messy settings might offer a comfortable environment in which these people do not feel the need to impress others with how immaculate their house is. Furthermore, the clutter in their environment may promote creativity and innovation, opening the door to new ideas and exciting initiatives. Lastly, smart people shouldn’t feel bad about having messy houses because it shows how smart and creative they are.