Let Inner Healing Shape Your Outer Spaces
Permission to say "this isn't working anymore" + a look at my new home creative studio [with links]
Please note: This post shares some of my recent purchases for my at-home creative studio and includes some Amazon affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through one of my links.
Daylight had just taken its most expansive stretch of the year. But just days later, a jarring personal crisis thrust me into darkness (the details of which I’m keeping private). That scary day split life into a before and after. What happened could never be undone. There could only be moving forward, though, at the time, I had no idea how.
That day became a pivotal moment propelling me toward transformation.
As I navigated that time, I noticed the things that no longer fit. I had the urge to declutter my bedroom dresser and throw away old faux plants covered in dust that annoyed me every time I walked past them. I struggled to be in my office space (a space I usually enjoyed).
Over almost everything came a resounding thought: “This isn’t working anymore.”
Okay, then, let’s figure out how to make it work.
I recalled Julia Cameron writing about something similar in The Artist’s Way. I reopened my book to find her words again:1
“Shifts in taste and perception frequently accompany shifts in identity. One of the clearest signals that something healthy is afoot is the impluse to weed out, sort through, and discard old clothes, papers, and belongings…
By tossing out the old and unworkable, we make way for the new and suitable…
When the search-and-discard impulse seizes you, two crosscurrents are at work: the old you is leaving and grieving, while the new you celebrates and grows strong.
As we endure hurt, and even as we start to heal and grow, our inner worlds and selves change. We find ourselves outgrowing spaces, shedding lifeless layers, and itching for change both in and around us. Karla Colahan recently reminded me that our perspectives and visions change, too. How can they not?
Changes to My Creative Space
What felt like a death became the beginning of a metamorphosis.
I had outgrown old ways of being, and my vision had sharpened. I was changing, and as a result, the spaces where I lived needed changing.
Encouraged also by the changing seasons and the start of a new school year for my kids, I felt motivated to take the inspiration I’d been curating in a Pinterest board and transform my at-home creative studio into something new. The makeover was nothing major (we’re in a rental house, and I share the space with my husband), but the changes were significant enough for me.
Interrupting thought: It’s true that you can write, paint, or create without an office or studio space (I’ve done my creative work in my car, from the couch, at my kitchen table, in my backyard, and just about anywhere). I recognize I’m coming from a place of privilege here. But wow, it feels undeniably good to have a functional and inspiring space dedicated to your craft.
If you’re interested, below I’m sharing my space’s mini-transformation with you and some links in case you’re inspired to make any changes to your space.
May your outer spaces match your inner transformation.
My At-Home Creative Space — “Before”
My At-Home Creative Space — “After”
My favorite transformations:
I now have two separate spaces for my creative work. My office went from a cluttered creative wall with a tiny writing desk in the corner to a spacious, dual workspace. The space on the left is for my writing life and running my business, and the right side is for my painting and making (desk and other links below). Praise for the spaciousness.
With this new arrangement, the room’s skylight is directly over my desk—and I can still see out the window to my right. I’m always chasing the light, and it is a gift to have a bit of natural light shining down on me while I work.
I moved my prayer plant into my office. One year ago (exactly!), I bought myself this beautiful Maranta Lleuconeura (prayer plant) to commemorate reaching a professional milestone. My prayer plant has been living outside in the shadows of my covered patio, but now it’s nestled near me on my desk while I write and work. I’m happy to report that it is thriving in its new location. I’m grateful for the life and spiritual reminders this plant brings to my creative space.
My favorite upgrades + purchases:
1 - The Apple Studio Display monitor from Amazon.
I’ve been writing on a laptop for over a decade, and my posture has declined from all the time I’ve spent hunched over typing. As I hosted more journal workshops and Zoom events and spent more time editing photos for my business, my tiny laptop screen wasn’t cutting it anymore. This Apple Studio Display was my biggest investment and, so far, worth it.
2 - The Qwerkytoys retro typewriter keyboard from Amazon.2
Since I was creating a desktop computer experience for myself, I needed a keyboard. I loved the visual idea of a keyboard that looks like a typewriter—of course, I did! However, I hesitated to invest in it, unsure whether I’d enjoy the typing experience. You see, when I purchased my vintage typewriter last year, the typing was clunky and difficult. But I am so happy to share that the Qwerkywriter offers a delightful and easy typing experience. I can type quickly and efficiently without interrupting the flow state. Plus, the clickety-clack sound as I type is surprisingly satisfying. I give five stars to this one and happily recommend it, too. If you’re curious, it’s wireless and compatible with my MacBook and iPad.
3 - The faux leather caramel desk chairs from Target.
I fell in love with this style chair while looking for inspiration on Pinterest. I found a pair of caramel faux leather chairs at Target while shopping for school supplies with my son. Unfortunately, only one chair was in stock, both in-store and online, and I needed two. Thankfully, I found an alternative pair with a similar style online. I actually like these better and found them to be reasonably priced: Copley Dining Chairs Caramel Faux Leather by Threshold. Buying them was a bit of a risk because I wasn’t sure they’d be comfy or the right height, but I’m relieved and happy to report they are comfy and at the right height for my desk and short legs. Love them.
4 - My wooden monitor stand from Amazon.
To help with my posture, I found this lovely stand for my Studio Display from a company called kalibri on Amazon. I chose the stand in “bamboo light brown.” I love its minimalist feel and its ability to tuck my keyboard away, freeing up space to handwrite in my journals.
(You can spy it in some of the photos above).
I’m using a laptop stand by HumanCentric to store my MacBook vertically and save valuable desk space. I realize this isn’t a super fun or beautiful product, but it is functional. It’s serving its purpose, and I’ll continue using it, but in retrospect, I might have gone with one of their other styles instead of the silver I chose.
5 - The custom workspace from IKEA.
I borrowed inspiration for my dual desk from Pinterest and purchased what I needed from IKEA to create it. I used two white ALEX drawer units, two pine MITTCIRKEL tabletops, and four white ADILS legs. I love the light color of the desktop and the fact that it has plenty of drawers for storing my supplies and papers. I’ll add that as far as IKEA furniture goes, this wasn’t too bad to build. I put it all together in one afternoon. Satisfied customer.
My desk wall, with its collage of frames, inspiring art, photos, and corkboard, is still a work in progress, but it’s okay for now.
Lastly, in case you’re curious, the only desk lighting I have is a CANVAS ring light. It’s helpful for adding lighting during a video call and for recording videos while painting my pastels. But I’ll be honest, I don’t love it or use it a whole lot. However, for right now, it is working for me. As the day grows darker and I need more artificial light in my office, I might purchase a new lamp.
Thankfully, I’m once again drawn to this space and eager to create in it, which is all that matters to me. It’s working for me now, and I’ve left room for it to continue to evolve and change as I do.
May you give yourself permission to evolve, change, grow, and let your outer environment reflect your inner healing.
I encourage you to consider one small change you’ve been thinking about making to your space and doing it today.3
Thanks for allowing me to share this space with you!
See “Week 4: Recovering a Sense of Integrity” in The Artist’s Way. If this resonates, try Task No. 4: “Environment: Look at your house. Is there any room that you could make into a secret, private space for yourself? Convert the TV room? Buy a screen or hang a sheet and cordon off a section of some other room? This is your dream area. It should be decorated for fun… All you really need is a chair or pillow, something to write on, some kind of little altar area for flowers and candles. This is to help you center on the fact that creativity is a spiritual, not an ego, issue.”
OMG GORGEOUS! Will you come design mine? haha! You have such awesome style.
It's beautiful Kristin, very inspiring! Thank you for sharing. I will definitely have to see if I can find a way to be inspired to be more creative. The slump is real! And I will have to check out that qwerkywriter! Very cute! And it really works well?