It’s not science, but it’s close.
There’s a popular theory that suggests that our brains are divided into two sides; the left and right. The left houses your ability to think analytically, logically, mathematically, and objectively. The right brain is explosively creative, imaginative, and intuitive. As the theory goes, a person can be left-brained or right-brained depending on which of the two is more dominant. Though much research shows that each side of the brain is responsible for different functions in our bodies, no proof was found to support this theory.
Even so, I imagine the left- versus right-brained theory gained traction as a result of its simplicity. We do tend to categorize ourselves and our analytical versus creative tendencies are just one of the many distinctions we’ve used to create unique identities. Obviously, many of us are capable of both, and I’d simply argue that we feel more strongly attached to one side of our personality over the other. Others of us, of course, were born with the plain inclination for planned weekend trips over the last-minute spontaneity of our more free-spirited friends (and for those intrinsic character traits there are plenty of personality tests). But whether you’re an artist or a mathematician, both take learning and practice. So even if you feel predisposed to pursue a physics degree over a fine arts degree, I would argue that you could flip a switch and do the other if you ever felt so willing.
All of this to say that I always preferred one side of myself over the other, but spent several years highlighting one for its professional stability. Can you guess which side of myself seemed riskier, career-wise? I felt, like many artists, daunted by the passion-or-security dilemma, but I couldn’t quite conjure the strength to rely on my creativity for profit. Instead, I picked tax accounting as the next best thing—The main perk of tax accounting being the post-April 15th downtime which I figured I could fill with creative release. It seemed like the best of both worlds. I’d been asked on several occasions whether I was a “numbers girl”, which had to have been true to defend the career path I was trekking, but if I ever had to choose one word to define myself, “numbers” would never make the top ten. My decision was, ultimately, that I would pursue accounting until another opportunity presented itself.
Eventually, another opportunity did present itself and I find myself writing this as Exquis’ backstory. Professional organizing requires creativity and visualization, yes, but it also requires logic and order. If the theory of right-brained vs left-brained were true, professional organizing would be the reconciliation of both sides of myself. When I was twelve years old, I asked my parents for a book on professional organizing. Now, ten years later, I’ve learned lessons as an artist and as an accountant that have made Exquis the epitome of me.
