What Do You Need To Create The Perfect Writing Space?
Six years ago, when I worked from home and before I became a Digital Nomad, my answer might have taken some thought. Back then I’d probably have said my essential items could just have been squashed into a list of twelve:
- Computer
- Desk and Office Chair
- Comfy Chair
- Printer and Paper
- CD Player
- Filing Cabinet
- Reference Books - primarily dictionary, thesaurus
- Mug and Teapot
- Favourite Pen and Pencils
- Pinboard - for goals and ideas
- Calendar
- But most important to me back then was a door - the quintessential barrier between my personal creative space and the distractions of the world.
Today although I think my requirements are basically the same, my list looks dramatically different. After all, it’s a bit difficult to drive around Australia hauling a desk and filing cabinet with you, even when your main source of transport is a car, but when you’re on an electric bike with four panniers?
The question then is, how did the list change?
Computer?
Still a laptop, but no longer with a separate monitor and keyboard.
Desk and Office Chair?
Hmm, these days I take what I can get, sometimes a kitchen table, sofa or even a car seat
Comfy Chair?
Yep, always aiming for one of those sometime during the day.
Printer and Paper?
Definitely no room for a printer in the car, therefore, obviously, negating any need for paper.
CD player?
No longer using CDs, I eventually switched to streaming my music.
Filing Cabinet?
Nope, like I said, no room for a filing cabinet in the car or even a filing box. Now everything is stored on the computer or an external hard drive.
Reference Books?
Again, no space for these in the car, but thankfully there are some wonderful online (and free) sites to answer my questions.
Mug and Teapot?
Yes, still have my mug, but do miss my teapot.
Favourite Pens and Pencils?
Still got those too, but only around twenty, not a drawerful.
Pinboard?
That’s now on my computer screen saver. It’s a bit more fiddly to create and change, but it does the job.
Calendar?
I keep trying with one on my computer, but I have to admit there’s really nothing quite like physically crossing items off your To Do List.
So there you have it...
I guess my list of the essential things really comes down to:
- Computer
- Mug
- Pen and Pencil
- Notebook
Anything extra to add to the list?
Other than my spare pair, and my spare spare pair of reading glasses, no. That would have to be it.
And as to the door?
Well, I still love having a door ,but most of the time have to make do with my headphones - even if they’re not plugged into anything.
So, go on, tell me, what are the five essential items you need for your Writing Space?
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