On Friday, I wrote a blog post about the small changes I've started making in my environment, working to make welcoming, creative spaces for myself. Over the weekend, I actually completed one of those spaces!
I took my very cluttered, dirty, disorganized bedside cubes and turned them into a space for my books on creativity, other inspirational books, my journal, and a pretty vase full of flowers. I also completey forgot to take a before picture, and the difference is incredible so I actually regret not having one. But this is my new, bedside creative space:
I'll probably swap out the print above it at some point, but I'm always inspired by Amy Brown's art so this seemed like a good piece to have there for the moment. I'm going to be adding in some art journaling materials, at least my cute container full of colorful markers and a glue stick. I've left myself some space to add things I find that I want nearby.
I tried having all of my creative supplies upstairs in my actual studio, but I can't resist the pull of working in my bed (much to my boyfriend's dismay, especially if he's away for a weekend, because I tend to pile things up on his side!). I have done most of my reading, writing, homework, everything while sitting on my bed since I was a little girl. I finally realized that this is how I do things. Putting everything up in my studio with no place for it to live next to my bed just means that I'll bring down what I want to work on and then pile it up around the bed because I don't have a good spot for it. It makes more sense to make space for the things I want to have near me.
I'm feeling very accomplished and satisfied by the weekend's work. And it was a lot more work than I imagined clearing out a relatively small space would be. There are books, papers, and journals stacked along the wall halfway up the staircase. I have no idea how all of that stuff fit in those cubbies!
And, as you can see, I celebrated my accomplishment with some fresh flowers.
My next move is some journaling and contemplation to see what part of this ongoing project calls to me next. I'll keep you posted. And I'll try to remember those before pictures next time.
Is anyone else working on their creative spaces and clearing the clutter? I'd love to hear your stories!
WOW! You did a great job!
This morning I took the first next step in my own abode, and organized the piles of paperwork by my desk - must deal with before trip, would like to deal with before trip, and wait. Not great, but better.
I often get hung up on "how it ought to be done" or "the best order to do it in" and then I give up. What works best is to either do what I feel like doing right then, or assess the situation and work on what is bothering me the most.
Thanks! I was pretty impressed with it myself. And everyone? Laura is my witness--she saw the "before" of this in person, so she knows. Congrats on taking steps. It's all about steps and sections and breaking it down until it's do-able. I also get hung up on trying to figure out what's the perfect way to do something or even just the best way. We have to remind ourselves that these things are set in stone and can be changed down the road if what we do isn't quite the thing.
What a lovely space. I always enjoy peeking into people's creative areas. And that's a great idea to have a handy creative "station" where you're likely to use it. And yay for celebrating with flowers. They make such a difference don't they?!