So, as I declutter and downsize, I thought this would be a good opportunity to focus my freaking out and really consider my new creative cave. This is where you all come in:
* WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE SPACE?
* WHAT, IF ANYTHING, WOULD YOU CHANGE?
And when I say "creative space" that's whatever it is to you – a home office, a corner of your living room, a patio, a favorite table in a coffeehouse. I'll have a small room of my own with a door I can close, something that makes the other members of my household – hard-shelled and otherwise – very relieved.
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| Join us! |
Congratulations on the future house. I hope you'll post pictures when you're settled in.
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite thing about my creative space is that I have floor to ceiling windows that let me see the forest beyond. I've seen a lot of wildlife go past my windows.
Thank you, Maria. Your windows and view sound lovely! I have a window now - and will again - but I get so distracted. I've learned that if I can adjust it all so I only see out the top of it - the sky, palm trees, the neighbor's roof then I'm good. :)
DeleteI just made myself a creative space. It's in the corner of a hallway and I loaded it with handmade gifts from people I love.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, Elizabeth! And good idea about the handmade gifts. I have a number of sentimental items around me, most from my husband. :)
DeleteI don't really have a creative space besides my couch. Every time I try to set up a desk area I just end up stressed out. I don't know why but as you know it doesn't take much to stress me out LOL.
ReplyDeleteI laughed about the tortoises impatience with their inside home. I can't blame them, it's only fair!
If I tried to write on the couch, I'd end up falling asleep. Or putting the TV on. :)
DeleteGood luck with the move. I'm sure the tortoises will enjoy their new outdoor space.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex. I think they will - new things to see, to smell, to sit under. :)
DeleteI like that my desk is by a sliding glass door, even though I completely ignore the view and often have the curtains drawn while I'm writing. It also gets a lot of light from skylights and two sets of sliding glass doors and is full of plants--yep, I'm stationed at a small desk crammed into our sunroom. The desk is also over a heat/air conditioning vent which can be good or bad depending.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to your and the turtles on your move.
I like being able to get good natural light but without opening all the blinds. Plants in my house don't usually last long - the few that have are true survivors. :)
DeleteThank you!
Hi Madeline, though I write the best in my room, I've also noticed that nowadays I'm writing just about everywhere. At the doctor's clinic while waiting for my mom's dental appointment, at the club in between playing housie/bingo etc.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your move!
I can do things like brainstorm and jot notes out and about but otherwise I really need to be in my own space to concentrate.
DeleteThanks, Rachna!
"Sheesh! Hold your shells! One house at time!" - This cracked me up!
ReplyDeleteSending you calming and happy vibes for the move.
If they could've rolled their eyes at me, they would have. :)
DeleteThanks, Ellen - I'll take all the good vibes I can get.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI have two beautiful rooms in my basement with a small bathroom and a door to go outside without going upstairs and leaving from the front door of my house. These rooms are special because I enter another world when I walk downstairs. I had to have them repaired after the tornado over here and since April 2019, I have been writing in my dining room which is a totally different experience for me. Tomorrow, I will be able the move downstairs again because the repairs and renovation will be finished. I am looking forward to it. What I like about it is the silence, the peace, the freedom of just letting my thought race across my mind as I write without any interruptions.
Wishing you a great move and congrats on your new office. I believe you will love it. However, it might take some getting used to being able to shut the door and be alone.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
I love how you refer to entering those rooms as going into another world, and I'm happy for you that you will soon be able to return to that creative space. :)
DeleteGood luck with the move! That's one of the most stressful things a person can go through, so I'm happy to see you're seeking ways to channel the anxiety. My favorite thing about my creative space is the collection of silly pictures and toys from my favorite fandoms. They remind me that no matter what, I'll always be a kid.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nicki. The stress is one thing, but the anxiety is making everything worse. I'm doing what I can.
DeleteI have a few mini Minion figures in my office now and they will definitely be making the move. They always make me smile. :)
I don't get to spend much time in my creative cave at home, but it is very much the essence of me. There's a mix of Japanese and Steampunk themes with fairy lights and invisible floating book shelves. I've got vintage map printouts, glass bottles, and leather notebooks.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I never get to spend time out there, and wind up doing the majority of my writing on my work computer or while camped out on the bed.
I love the image you paint of your creative space, especially the fairy lights, vintage maps, glass bottles and notebooks. Giving me some ideas! :)
DeleteI'd print your successes and frame them for your walls.
ReplyDeleteI use a diffuser: vanilla and peppermint are my favourites scents. And I use headphones for music or sounds of the ocean or storms (from YouTube). Bring in whatever you love. The stuff that gives you a hug when you need it.
Anna from elements of emaginette
I'm experimenting with a diffuser in another part of the house, so I'll definitely consider having one in my office, too. Love the idea of the nature sounds - making a note. :)
DeleteI have a corner in my living room as my creative cave where my desk is located, but I can get creative on my couch or kitchen table. Hmm...that doesn't sound quite right, does it? lol
ReplyDeleteLOL! :)
DeleteMoving at this stage of my life would be nothing short of a nightmare. I've spent years fixing up our home to suit us. And I have an amazing writing room (dubbed the Morticia Addams Room) that was two years in the making. I painted it Basil Green and it's full of all the things I love and need to be creative - books, skulls, Day of the Dead stuff, a small table away from the desk and computer for drinking tea and scribbling. And I lucked out with a fireplace and small sofa. The furniture is mostly black. I highly recommend taking time and making your space yours in every possible way. Oh, and deep breaths! A new home is always filled with exciting new possibilities and inspiration!
ReplyDeleteIt feels like both a blessing and a nightmare right now....
DeleteI remember you talking about your writing room! Having a small table separate from your desk is an excellent idea, and something I'll see if I have room for.
Congrats on your move. I don't have a space. I have a laptop. I like sitting on my couch and looking out my window at my back yard.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie. I might try moving around the new house more, like sitting on the couch and writing. I just have to make sure the TV remote is not nearby. :)
DeleteI love that my writing space comes with a door I can close...and lots of wall space to cover with storyboards. It always doubles as a guest room, so I get kicked out of my little sanctuary anytime we have company. That's probably what I would change—having a dedicated guest room so I can be even more selfish about my space. :)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your move. It really is such a stressful time, so I hope it goes smoothly for you.
You always have such great storyboards!
DeleteThanks, MJ. I'll take all the good luck I can get.
Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI used to have an old antique table/desk that I painted light gray and filled with all things writing. But it's now being used by my techie college kid. Someday I'll get it back! For now I have two old suitcases with a storage basket on top that holds my writing stuff. I don't need much. Just my laptop and my favorite book or two or three or... :) Good luck with the move!
ReplyDeleteThat table/desk sounds interesting! Maybe you should let the college kid use the suitcases and you take back your writing space. :)
DeleteGood luck with the move. We've been in this place since 1971, and it makes me shudder to think about moving. I hope it's much more positive for you than it is stressful.
ReplyDeleteI love my office. It's located at the opposite end of the house from the den, where my hubby usually has the TV going, and I thoroughly enjoy the relative quiet. My main desk in there is L-shaped and quite large, so I have the luxury of spreading out. A little messy, but also comforting in a weird way. The smaller desk is usually quite neat and organized. I have a CD player in there, too, so I can play some of my favorite music if I've got a mind to listen to it. It isn't a fancy space, but it's all mine, all houses a ton of books. A tiny piece of heaven.
Thanks, Susan. I never thought about a CD player, or music in general, in my office. Something to think about it!
DeleteI have a miniature computer desk in my living room and a tiny bookshelf beside it on top of a small drawer. The shelf only holds ten books - my basic dictionaries and a Roget's. But I love it. It's cozy and all I need, really.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your move.
Cozy is good! My space won't be large, but it will be mine...all mine...bwahahaha! :)
DeleteGood luck with your move, Madeline! Moving is one of the most stressful in life. I hope that your tortoises enjoy their new outside space. I have a perfect writing study downstairs, but I have abandoned it. I like sitting at my kitchen counter in the middle of everything. I can see out our windows on most sides, the coffee pot is very nearby, and I have the tv or music on in the background. And in the winter I'm near the fireplace. I guess I spent too many years in a large classroom to thrive in a tiny, quiet space! All the best to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteBeing in the middle of everything would make me crazier than I already am. The fireplace does sound lovely, although not practical for here in FL. :)
My work space is almost perfect. Everything is within reach and the room has doors that close! Congrats on moving. I'm going to look at a place tomorrow for downsizing hopes
ReplyDeleteThe new place is not that much smaller than our present place, but it's smaller in all the right places. If that makes any sense! :)
DeleteGood luck with your search!
My creative space is between the lounge room and the kitchen. It's handy to be close to the kitchen, but it's also a downfall. Good thing I have a standing desk! I'd just like to have a room with a door.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your move!
I really need to use my standing desk more often - thank you for the reminder and for the good luck wishes. :)
DeleteI feel for you in this time of downsizing. Moving is always so stressful, no matter how organized you might be.
ReplyDeleteI love my whiteboard in my writing space and that everything is within easy reach.
I'm actually looking forward to downsizing/going smaller, decluttering etc. When I look past all the stress, that is. :)
DeleteI'm hoping I'll have room for my big bulletin board in my new space.
I purchased a used desk last summer. It sits in the corner of my living room and I love how I just fit. I have room on either side of the computer, I have drawers for storage and when we have company, I can file everything away. Hope you can takes some deep breaths as you prepare for your move.
ReplyDeleteExcellent that you can file everything away like that. My space is usually a mess, a sort of tidy mess, but not something I want people to look at.
DeleteDeep breathing. Thank you for the reminder!
I need a creative space.
ReplyDeleteGo for it! :)
DeleteI need to work on my creative space. Congrats on new house. Happy IWSG!
ReplyDeleteMaybe something to aim for in 2020?
DeleteThank you!
Happy moving! Decluttering is a pain, but after it's all said and done, you'll feel much better. Now, I'm picturing turtles running around everywhere. That should make the move even more interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe tortoises will be safe and sound during the process - no running around for them until the hoopla has died down and we can keep an eye on them. :)
DeleteDecluttering, at the time, is difficult, but in the end its a great feeling, and a relief. Good luck with your move.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I keep telling myself. :)
DeleteThanks!
Yay, for more space for the Tortoises. That is always a plus.
ReplyDeleteMy current writing space has a bigger desk, which i love. I use alot of space when writing, as I always have a note book handy.
Goodluck with the move.
They agree. :)
DeleteA big desk is great. I always have papers spread about.
"Hold your shells!" made me laugh. I'm big on comfort in my writing space. I need to be able to sit there a long time, have access to what I need, and be able to focus on my work. Good luck with the move!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of comfort - I just have to be careful I'm not too comfortable or else I'll fall asleep. :)
DeleteThank you!
The ability to close the door is the best thing about my office space. Unfortunately, the cat claws at the hall carpet to get in (if she hasn't already beaten me to my chair) and the dog sits in the hall and whines. At least tortoises won't do that.
ReplyDeleteThe thing I would change is the size. The room is too tiny for everything I "need" close at hand.
Maybe you need a cat/dog door on your office door so they can come and go as they please? :)
DeleteMany years ago, my husband and I shared office space. Now he gets the bigger room, but he still has to share it - with the tortoises. Actually, it's more they share it with him. :)
Everything is going to be okay, Madeline. You're on an adventure! We sold our house, so I've been camping for 2 years. Having a house is a wonderful thing. We're building a small one in the spring. Hallelujah! Right now I'm looking out over my neighbourhood in Bucerias. From May to October, I'll be looking out at lots of trees. Either view is pretty nice.
ReplyDeleteCamping for two years?! Okay, I feel better now. :)
DeleteBoth views do sound nice!
I understand moving is stressful. I've moved so much in the last four years, I don't feel it at all though. I think moving is a good opportunity to re evaluate what's important to you. I write on my laptop so I only need three things. Firstly, access to a power point, because the battery life on this ASUS of mine is pathetic. Secondly music, and thirdly a comfortable seat. Nothing distracts me more than a literal pain in the butt.
ReplyDeleteI agree on the re-evaluating. It's both a nostalgic and freeing process.
DeleteFunny on the chair! Although, I really should use my standing desk more than I do. :)
You have tortoises? That's so cool.
ReplyDeleteMy creative space is the home office I share with my husband. My favourite things about it are my large desk, which has plenty of storage space for all my notebooks and stationary, and the wall behind which I've covered with various photos and art prints relating to Harry Potter, Star Trek, Shakespeare and my other favourite things. I also have a comfy gaming chair which is nice to sit in while writing. Sometime this year we are having it redecorated and getting lots of shelves installed along one wall so we can display our collection of FunkoPops and geeky figurines. If I could, I'd have books around all the other walls but my husband has vetoed that since I already have them all around the living room!
It's probably more that the tortoises have us. And they agree with you - they are cool. :)
DeleteYour creative space sounds so fun! Hmm, I never thought about a gaming chair - they always look comfy. And funny about the books! Ours are all around the dining room. :)
Good luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteFor me, moving house is traumatic.
ReplyDeleteI actually read somewhere that it's the third most traumatic thing after death and divorce.
Good luck with the move, Madeline!
Hope it's a smooth one.
I heard/read that somewhere, too. But I'm trying not to think about it. :)
DeleteThanks, Michelle!
Eek, moving is so stressful! I feel your pain. But it will all be worth it.
ReplyDeleteWhat I love about my writing space is that it is portable. Now that I live alone and have a laptop, I have total freedom. Sometimes I write on the couch. Sometimes I write in the bath. And when it's nice out, I write on the deck.
The only constants are me, the laptop, and at least one sleeping kitty.
I hope so..... :o
DeleteI like the idea of moving around the house more, and I think I'll make more of an effort to do that in the new place. I especially think I'll try writing outside.
I highly recommend it. I know some people do better with a routine and designated space, but as I now live alone, I can pretty much write wherever I like and am comfortable. And it's awesome!
DeleteCongrats on the move! I'm sure you've planned it out well and it's going to go great!
ReplyDeleteIf I were to change anything, it would be my wall space - just a little. I wish I had a good tack board/ white board set up. I just need to install one in my newish space (I moved my writing desk from a corner in my bedroom to a corner in my college daughter's bedroom).
I don't think I've planned nearly as well this time around. I don't feel organized at all! Sigh.
DeleteI'm hoping to take my bulletin board with me into the new space.
Good luck with the move - stressful indeed, but sounds like the writing room will be a sweet reward! My writing "space" is usually the living room table, but right now it's the couch - encased in blankets - due to the freezing temperatures when I get up in the morning. I'm looking forward to a glimmer of spring!
ReplyDeleteYikes on those freezing temps, Nick! If I had to burrow in blankets, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't write - I'd just fall asleep. :)
Delete