Think, Pray, Dream, Work

Flowers gathered on daily walks.

I’ve been thinking a lot about space.  Specifically, writing space.  Truth be told, writing happens in our head . . . and maybe our eyes & at the tips of our fingers.  This means that, theoretically, where we write should be a non-issue as long as it’s a place with adequate light that doesn’t interfere with our mental concentration & gives us access to the tips of our fingers.

Even though just writing this alerts me to its over-simplifications and fallacies, I shudder to remember the days when I kind of acted on these assumptions.

I wrote on my couch, listening to a movie, making dinner, at my kitchen table, at a desk beside my guest bathroom, snuggled up in bed.  And each setting had it’s issues: transporting my computer from one place to the next, plugging it in, spilling the water bottle, finding work space, moving notes, where do I put my feet, worrying about a bad back, dealing with interruptions, giving in to distraction, wallowing in procrastination . . . because you know, since I could SEE how dirty my living room floor was, I would just have to vacuum.

You know this old story I’m sure.  

You see, I actually thought I would be MORE productive if I wasn’t sequestered away in some room.  I guess I had a fear of being too isolated or something, so I invited the distractions.  And my writing never really got done.

When a new roommate moved in, I was prompted to get the heck out of the common space.  In an effort to be courteous (not to benefit my writing, mind you), I “moved in” to an office.

Yet, it became so much more than that.

To call it an office is an injustice.  It’s more like a supercharged wish room where I think, pray, dream, and discover.

I also put makeup on there, snuggle with my cat, drink tea, eat lunch, make altars, watch the rain slide down the roofs outside my window, conduct life business, and craft.  It’s also where I write.

Beauty rituals

In other words, I have an all-inclusive inspiration station, not an office.

The You-ness of Productivity

I can’t tell you what an amazing effect this has had on my productivity and inspiration.  I actually have a file in EVERNOTE titled “sacred office.”  This is where all my ideas, design, wishes & plans for my inspiration station live.  And I count my inspiration station as one of the things that most supports me in all my various projects.

Right now, one side of my desk has business and writing related things: business plans, books to research, poetry books,marketing plans, manila folders filled with various items, health insurance applications . . .

The other side of my desk holds the  sacred and inspirational objects & activities.  And . . . I didn’t really plan it like that – it just happened over time.

Examples: candles, crystals, prayer aids, a mandala that my daughter and best friend colored together, a rock from Mauna Kea, a fox skull my dad found, some letterpress poetry I got at a reading, a yoga studio schedule.  Here is where I also keep beautiful leaves & flowers I find on my walks, a glass ornament I blew & all manner of enticing things.

A “research” book

Here is where I ask for help.  And here is where I get it.

I don’t know about you, but I want to write somewhere where I ask for stuff . . . and get it.  I want to write in the space that makes me feel most me, where I bring all my Cynthia-ness, where I feel like all these parts of me are mixed up in the best of ways.  Where I can look up from my computer & find new and exciting things that interest or inspire me at any moment.

Use Values to Seed Space

I can offer some ideas about creating a space for you to work, write, dream & do in.  These ideas are based on some of my key values:

• Integration of selves and identities
• Inspiration
• Life-affirming
• Safety
• Beauty

Here are my ideas for you & of course, the point here is to do what resonates for you.  Maybe a zen simplicity resonates.  Do it!  But whatever it is, it should inspire & support every cell in your body.

6 Simple Things To Try

Make sure this space is yours & yours alone.  This is where you dream after all, and new dreams need protection.  And remember, this space does not need to be an entire room.  As long as it’s dedicated for your work & feels safe to you, it works.

Make a vision board of your inspired office.  When I made mine, I filled it with stuff I’d eat, colors I loved, ways I wanted to feel, things I saw in it.  Remember, this is just a visual note, a living thing – not a vision to strive for.  The space is not about perfection.  Go for wabi-sabi.  Let it evolve with you.  I used polyvore to create this one.

Enchant yourself with inspiration.  Images, words, etc.  Keep putting them up where you can see them.  Your space should be alive with these things.

MIA from a feature in BULLETT mag.

Letterpress & inspiration

Make it a life-affirming place.  A space for animals, plants and things of the earth.  This is so so so good for you (and them!)

Angelina enjoys a window seat

When all else fails, make sure to keep a face under your desk that looks like this.

You can also try making a place for God, Source, Mother Earth, Buddha, Goddess, or whatever your spiritual practice is.

Remember in elementary school when the classroom was divided up into “stations?”  Try that.  Yes, there’s your desk and work space. But what else do you love, or love to create?  It’s very possible these things have a place here.  For me, it’s crafting, daydreaming, spiritual work, and beauty. What is it for you?

Books + pink wings = Cynthia-ness

Well, I’ve got some plans for my inspiration station this week — it’s always changing just like me!

This week, I’m featuring Vievee Francis for the Visual Poetry Project, another L-Spot with awesome links for writers, & a transformative prompt for rebel creators.  So stay tuned!

I’m also MOVING to cynthialindeman.com.  I’ll be sharing the gorgeous details very soon.  I want you to come with me!

BIG WRITER HUGS + pink wings,

Cynthia 

p.s. Did you love it?  Did you really, really love it?  Share the love!