A woman must have money and a room of
her own if she is to write [fiction].
VIRGINIA WOOLF, A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN
This next part is all about the creative side of your work, in all its forms. I’m starting with one of my favourite topics: creating a space, or a room, of your own.
The above quote by the late author, Virginia Woolf, pops into my mind on an almost daily basis. Every time I mention it to my husband he laughs and jokingly says, ‘But you don’t write fiction!’ and I’m like, ‘You’re missing the point!’
This isn’t earth-shattering stuff, but it can make all the difference to how you feel within yourself, when you wish to carve out a space for yourself in the world. I’ll admit it: I am an expert at creating a space for myself, whether at home or even on holidays. Perhaps it’s the Cancerian in me—the part that loves home and creature comforts. Perhaps it’s the organised part of me—the part that loves my space to feel decluttered and comfortable. Perhaps it’s something else altogether—the part of me that simply wants to love the surrounds in which I find myself.
Think of the way the Danish live their hygge lifestyle (pronounced hoogah); it’s all about creating comfort and cosiness. Think mugs of tea, candles, reading nooks, decluttered spaces and a feeling of home. This is what comes to mind when I think about creating a space that feels ripe for creating, for doing the (inner and outer) work, and for carving out your space in the wider world.
The space that you allow yourself to create in, dream in, and vision in will cultivate peace of mind. By creating space for yourself, however you can, you get to create peace of mind, spaciousness and freedom for yourself. From this ‘room of your own’, you create space to do the work you most want to do.
The space you create will depend on whatever space you have available to you right now. While it might be a corner nook, a huge desk or even a whole room of your own, it could also be a corner of your kitchen, the end of the dining room table, a little desk or chair in your bedroom or living room, or even a drawer or shelf that is all yours. Create the best space you can in your home or office; a space that you love to be in, rest in, dream in, create in and live in.
Make it as decluttered, spacious and beautiful as you can. Only include things that ‘bring you joy’, as Marie Kondo, author of Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, would say. If an item doesn’t bring you joy, discard it, sell it, or give it away, with love and thanks.
Creating a space to create in can support our focus, clarity, energy and productivity on every level: mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. To my mind, the act of creating this space—a sacred sanctuary that is yours—almost feels like a spiritual process, because the world can feel noisy, and having a space to retreat to is nourishing and needed.
Pick a spot in your home or office that is calling out to you. If you need to, make a space. Sell an old piece of furniture and buy something beautiful in its place; move things around until some space appears; clear an edge of the dining room table; tidy up your desk, cupboard, room or wherever your new space will be.
Is this space to rest, read, write and dream? Is it to write your book? Is it to do the work that calls to you every day? Is it to vision up what’s next for you, clear away the old and make space for the new? Be clear on the purpose of your space, so you can enhance it with the appropriate tools and furniture, as well as the right energetic vibration, for what you’re calling in.
Get your space ready by filling it with the things you love. For instance, my workspace is filled with my favourite daily planner, plants, essential oils, a diffuser, candles, crystals (amethyst, hematite, citrine and clear quartz are on current rotation), oracle cards, notebooks, pens and Post-its.
This is your space. Use it as and when you need (even if it’s just a drawer with all the essentials you love).
Try not to use your space to dump the day’s stuff or scroll mindlessly through Instagram. Use it with intention and purpose; enjoy being in it. You created it, after all.
Enjoy your space. And as my mum always says when I buy something new, ‘I wish you well to use it!’
I joyfully create a beautiful space in which to create, dream and vision, cultivating peace of mind, spaciousness and freedom, so I can do the work I love.