When clearing your writing space for inspiration and motivation, there are many elements that come into play. However, some of the most basic elements come down to the environment surrounding your writing area.
If anything surrounding your writing are causes discomfort or distraction, your creative mind can take a walk and leave you wondering what happened to your great writing intentions for the day.
Therefore, here are a few things to consider when clearing your writing space and prepping it for a writing session.
What You See
I am a visual person. When I sit down to write or do anything creative, I can get distracted if I see anything out of place. Likewise, if there are piles of laundry, paperwork, or dishes needing my attention, my inspiration and motivation take a big hit.
So, number one when it comes to clearing your writing space for inspiration and motivation is to straighten up. Take care of the piles of paperwork by doing some filing or throwing things out. If there is anything within view of your writing area that is calling for attention, give it your attention ASAP.
Also, make sure that there are things around your writing area that create an inspirational atmosphere. Framed pictures of loved ones and friends can create a cozy feeling of comfort and remind you of why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Posting inspirational quotes and pictures of places you love can also help make your writing area perfect. As well as bringing in some plants or flowers to pretty up your space. Make sure the lighting in your writing area not only helps you see well but also creates just the right feeling for you. I have a nice salt lamp on my desk that is always lit. It not only helps to keep the air clean but also casts a nice orange glow that relaxes me.
What You Smell
In addition to be very visual, I am also very sensitive to smells. Certain smells inspire me like the scent of sandalwood, peppermint, vanilla, coffee and many others. I tend to like having a candle or two in my writing space and light them up when I need a little extra feeling of comfort.
For you maybe it’s the smell of a freshly cleaned home, cookies baking in the oven, or baby powder. By the way, they have candles for those scents too. Whatever scents that give you inspiration, motivation, and comfort, use them in your writing space liberally.
What You Hear
This one can be either a problem or a solution depending on the situation. To start with, any noise that distracts you, whether or not it’s pleasant or not, is a problem. Everyone has a different threshold when it comes to sound. Many writers need it perfectly silent in order to hone their writing craft. Others work best with background noise.
I find, for myself, I tend to like to write in silence. Hearing people speak or listening to music with lyrics can distract me too much and interfere with my writing.
On the occasion when I feel I want some kind of background sound, it’s usually some classical or mood music like Buddha Groove. These do not have lyrics but the rhythm of the music sometimes can help move my writing along.
On the other hand, if you are being distracted from noises in your writing area, you need to find some solutions that work for you. Some writers who have a budget that supports it, might build a writing office on their property separate from their house. They might also decide to install sound insulation in the walls.
If your budget doesn’t allow for such extravagancies investing in a good pair of sound isolating headphones or a sound machine can be helpful. You need to find what works for you and make it a part of your writing space.
What You Touch
Lastly, your comfort, or lack there of, can have the ability to inspire and motivate or distract and frustrate you. Your writing area must be comfortable in every way from the chair you sit in to the temperature in the room.
Make sure your desk and chair are comfortable. They should allow you to sit and write for long hours without any kind of distress.
Also, make sure the temperature in your writing area is comfortable for you. It can be really hard to concentrate when you’re shivering or overheated.
Additional ways to make your writing area comfortable is to have a few pillows and soft throw blankets. These will provide not only warmth should you get cold but also some comforting textures to calm you.
Seek Your Inspiration and Motivation
Find what comforts, motivates, and inspires you and make them a part of your writing sanctuary. Every author is different and you need to find what works for you.
Then once you get your writing space cozy and just how you like it, I have one more piece of advice. Sit down and write!
