The Writer’s Feng Shui Guide: 5 Steps to Creating Your Workspace the Write Way
One of the best things about being a writer is the little to no overhead. You can work from anywhere in the world. All you really need is a computer. Sigh…. If it were only that easy.
A designated workspace is often overlooked for writers, not to mention a feng shui-ed workspace. But alas, a high-powered office isn’t only for the exec types. You too can (and need to) have a workspace set up for success.
A high-powered office isn’t only for the exec types. You too can (and need to) have a workspace set up for success.
Whether writing fiction, non-fiction, blogs or articles, writers spend their days (and nights) pouring themselves out, emotionally and mentally, onto paper (or a blank screen) and into the world. It’s vulnerable terrain, which is why setting yourself up properly is even more important.
Let’s take a look at how to optimize your workspace using feng shui principles one step at a time.
Step 1: Set the Scene - Location
Writers usually work from home, again, thanks to the low overhead. Finding adequate home office space, however, comes with its challenges. If square footage is an issue, then home offices are often found sharing space with a guest room, kitchen table, or even the bed. In these cases, it takes creative space planning to make a home office work for writers.
Nevertheless, it’s important to select one location for your workspace.
Before any of you commitment phobes have a panic attack, this doesn’t mean you only write from this one workspace. Instead it’s your designated workspace or home office. Having this designated space will help keep you grounded. This is usually where your computer is powered, your printer is sitting, and your pens and extra paper are stored. This is your home base. From here, you and your laptop can stay put or travel to the kitchen table, bed, or coffee shop.
Having a designated space will help keep you grounded.
If you’re like me, you prefer the stimulation of other people around you to stay motivated to write, such as a coffeeshop or co-working space. For others, however, public settings can be very distracting. Experiment and notice what satellite workspaces work best for you, if any.
Step 2: Be the Hero - Desk Placement
You’re the protagonist of your story and therefore you should be in the Power Position. Whether you’re writing in bed, at your desk, or at a coffeeshop, this step is the most important. You should be in the Command Position, also known as the Power Position, in western versions of feng shui. This position in the room will make you feel most in command or in power. It emerges from our instinctive need to have visible control of our environment and the reason no one likes sitting with their back to the door or window in a restaurant.
The Command Position is sitting with a view of the door, a view out a window (if applicable), and a solid wall behind you.
This may mean moving your desk into the room away from the wall. If this is absolutely not possible, then place a mirror to where you can see the entrance in the mirror. If you do not use a desk, but instead a counter or even your lap, it is still important to face the door entering the room.
The Command Position is sitting with a view of the door, a view out a window (if applicable), and a solid wall behind you.
Set yourself up to win. You want to feel in power and confident in your space – whether you’re home alone or working among hundreds of colleagues in a business office. If you work in a writer’s room, get there early and snag the Power Position. Your ideas will be better heard and received.
Also don’t underestimate having a solid wall behind you. It provides support and for writers in an isolated profession, feeling supported is crucial.
If your writing space doubles as a guest room, your phantom guests may be hijacking your power position. Choose wisely.
Step 3: Set Design - Your Writing Desk
Now let’s consider what type of writing surface is best for you. Everyone likes or requires a different amount of surface area. Even though I keep few items on my desk, I love a big desk or large table space. I feel like I can spread my wings and allow more creativity to flow rather than feeling cramped. For others, an oversized desk may translate to an oversized clutter trap. For some, a smaller surface area may feel cozy, contained, and therefore more supportive.
The other desk consideration is surface type. You may think this is a question for interior designers, but it’s actually a feng shui consideration. Do you prefer working on wood, metal, glass, wood-colored, white, marble, or fiery red. You may not have given this much thought, but your energy responds differently to each material. In my book, Decorating With the Five Elements of Feng Shui, you can discover what your primary element is and what element you are most compatible with in terms of décor choices.
I personally find myself more focused and productive when working on a white or glass-top surface (marble preferred:). Wood tables fester my frustration because I’m already too woody. Think back on your work surfaces that you’ve used in the past and what you remember working best for you. Or check out the book and discover yourself.
Step 4: Delete the Unnecessary - Clear the Clutter
You may have read that creatives need, or at least get a pass, for keeping a messier space. This is half-true. Writing is half creativity and half discipline. In feng shui terms, this is yin and yang. Do you need more creativity? If so, you can leave your space a little messy. Do you need more discipline? Then, you need more order and organization in your space. Our space is a mirror of ourselves and you can use your space to balance out what you need more or less of.
Our space is a mirror of ourselves and you can use your space to balance out what you need more or less of.
Regardless however, it’s important to clear out that which is truly clutter. Real clutter is stuff (usually stored in a cabinet or closet) that is keeping you stuck and anchored in the past. Hint: It’s usually taking up space where the stuff sitting out should be stored. When it comes to office spaces, question keeping clothing, supplies, awards, binders, or manuals from past careers that are no longer relevant to your current identity as a writer. This will help you step into the current version of YOU. We’re in a new decade after all.
When it comes to office spaces, question keeping clothing, supplies, awards, binders, or manuals from past careers that are no longer relevant to your current identity as a writer.
Step 5: Dazzle Us - Choose Inspirational Decor
Once you’ve ditched the clutter, even the minimalist in me gives you a pass to add a few items to your workspace. Be super conscious of what you hang in your space and place on your desk. A crystal or candle on your desk can be great to enhance focus. Or perhaps a picture of your family reminds you the Why behind your writing. A plant or flowers can bring new life to your space. Maybe an inspirational quote or a picture of your dream writing retreat destination in Bali is what inspires you. Make your space its own vision board. If you work outside the home, pick a place that is enjoyable to be in and keeps your energy positive.
Make your space its own vision board.
Epilogue: Show Not Tell
Your writing space is a reflection of you as a writer. If you’re facing a wall, you’ll be facing a wall in your writing. If you feel cramped, then you’ll feel cramped in your writing. If you don’t like your space, you won’t enjoy writing and will find excuses not to write. Too much clutter will weigh you down and distract you from writing. Be intentional about your space and your success as a writer will mirror that.