Carving Out Your Own Writing Space
How a Personalised Space Can Boost Your Productivity and Creativity
This voiceover is an audio version of my Slow Sunday Letter below. It is unedited, so may have some stutters, imperfections, and background noise. I hope you enjoy listening to it anyway!
Welcome to Generosity of Spirit, a gentle community for YOU. We find pockets of time for slow & gentle living, books, writing, journaling & life affirming work. You are so welcome here in our cosy space, grab a cuppa & stay a while... 🐢🙏📚☕💌
Welcome back to another Slow Sunday Letter! I hope you have had a slow and gentle week.
In this month’s A Writer’s Life’, I thought we could delve into the importance of a dedicated writing or creative space. How spending some time creating something unique- no matter how big or small, can really help encourage your productivity and general joy in your work!
So grab a cuppa, get cosy and let’s talk about how to carve out your own writing or creative space…
“Sometimes a creative environment affects what happens within it” - Peter Gabriel
Writing is a unique craft that will flourish with the right mix of creative inspiration and focus. Some writers work well in any environment, while others may need a particular place or even ambience to really tune into their creative zone.
The idea of a creative or writing space will be slightly different for everyone, depending on your craft but then also on how you work. Some creators prefer a physical location, such as a home office or desk. Others find their best work happens out in the world, in libraries, coffee shops or local cafés. These spaces become a place of ritual, with specific rules or habits surrounding the act of creating. I believe rituals are so important when writing, and I talked a little about this last month, when we looked at how we can achieve creative flow. For some, having a designated writing space is a vital part of getting into the right mindset for writing or creating.
But that is just one side of the coin, the other sees the creative space as being more of a mental or emotional one. It means that the onus is on being in the right mood, the right zone or frame of mind to write or create. This can be achieved as simply as taking a moment distraction free to get into the right headspace, or listening to specific music, lighting a candle, or taking a mindful moment to make a cup of coffee before working.
My favourite music is background 'coffee shop' jazz videos on YouTube
There is no right or wrong way to create a writing or creative space of your own, and certainly our individualism should shine through. As writers, we must trust our instincts and find what works best for us. But when you find the magic combination of space, comfort, inspiration, mindset and ambience, you may just find that your spirit is at ease, flow state is easier to tap into, your productivity will increase, as well as your joy in the work - it should be a pleasure.
A Writer’s Environment
Finding the right spot to create your writer’s environment is different for everyone - ultimately the size of your workspace is less important than the feeling it evokes.
Good Lighting – gentle lighting and candles are a must!
Ambience – cosy vibes help me relax and channel my creativity. I love listening to music while I write, and I cannot write in silence.
Inspiration – I like to be surrounded by my books, I like everything to be within arms reach.
Writing Supplies – Make sure your laptop charger, pens, notebooks everything is to hand. When in my ‘flow state’ my preference is to type, but I am often writing in notebooks, and I like to incorporate colour when I can.
Comfort – I always start writing with a hot drink, coffee or tea and one benefit of writing from home is the kitchen is never far away!
Rituals – I inadvertently started to form writing rituals, which I now cherish and really help get me into the right mindset for writing. Lighting a candle, playing some music and making myself a hot drink are all part of my writing ritual. I work part time, and my work schedule does vary, so I do write at all times of the day, but I have found my sweet spot is in the afternoon after a little lunch. Finding these rituals is individual, and when you find yours, it is magic.
It is so important to find a writing-friendly environment at home or elsewhere, where you can be creative and focused. A place you enjoy being, and look forward to working in. The goal is to find somewhere you can work free of distractions and somewhere that feels like an extension of you.
Creating My Writing Desk
“That joy of a creative environment, without any restrictions, is hard to leave” - Powers Boothe
Last time I wrote about my creative/writing space was in December last year when I published ‘A Writer’s Home’
I don’t have a desk or an office at home. I tend to sit on the sofa with my laptop, surrounded by books and my journals. Beside me on the sofa, I have a shelf full of books, journals, notebooks, coursebooks and workbooks- so everything is within arm’s reach. I always light a candle as part of my writing ritual and make a fresh coffee or tea. I put on some coffee shop jazz music on YouTube. Pull a blanket over my legs and get writing.
After living with my make-shift writing set up for over a year, I realised, I had completely outgrown it - that, and my back hurt! My solution was right under my nose, in our spare room I decided to convert my dressing table into a new writing desk. I love this space so much, and I just wish I’d done it sooner!
I love having my own cosy space to work in. I had seriously underestimated the influence of being surrounded by my precious books, journals, images and mementos that all mean so much to me. And how retreating into this space would affect how I felt, and then have such an impact on my creative output.
I particularly love having my vision boards so visible (made in
amazing Vision Board Workshop back in the Spring), and being able to display my late Mum’s treasured collection of The Lives of the Painters, Sculptors & Architects Vols 1-4 (Giorgio Vasari).I love working in this space that I have created, and I can’t wait to return to it every day. If this that isn’t a huge win - I don’t know what is!
The Personal Touch
Some links for items on my desk …
Navaris Desk Organiser Shelf Unit
“A dedicated writing space means that your muse will know where to find you” unknown
Having a dedicated space and some personal writing rituals will encourage creativity and productivity. Whether you have a dedicated room, desk or converted home office or you just have a tiny corner in your home that you can work in. Having an inspirational workspace will have a positive impact on you and the work you produce.
Whether your creative space is a physical place, a mental or emotional space, or a unique ambience, a writer's space is an important part of the creative process. It's a place where you can retreat, tap into your inspiration and allow ideas to flow.
I’d love to hear all about your creative spaces - or if this has inspired you to overhaul your own working space?
I would really love to know your thoughts and if any of this resonated with you - if you feel able, please do share in the comments.
Thank you for being here,
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What a beautiful writing space. So warm and inviting. 💕
I love your writing space Emily! That coaster in particular is adorable 🥰