Friday, January 4, 2013

How My Writer's Space Feng Shui Has Gone Awry



Happy New Year--does your office embrace the principles of good Feng Shui for writers? I called upon the expertise of Pam Gaulin, Kerrie Flanagan, and Regina Paul who wrote online articles about this topic if you're interested in reading more.

There is probably something to be said--a lot, actually--about having a tidy, neat, calming writer's space to  cause the Chi (the invisible life force or energy that is all around us) to flow in positive directions for maximum creativity and focus.

But I'm coming off the heels of the holidays and my office is a mess. (And no, there will not be pictures posted today until my Feng Shui gets more in order.)

But when will that be? The desk cleaning I did recently involved moving a large pile from the top of my desk to the side where no one can see it from the hallway. Other things accumulating on this same secretly shameful side:  books, conference materials from October, cords. Bad Chi for sure!

Regina Paul tells us that Chi can be blocked by clutter, and blocked Chi can lead to frustration and the inabiltiy to create.

So, you shouldn't stack your work on your desk because then it appears like an obstacle that's impossible to overcome. (I don't need paper clutter to make me feel like that--all I have to do is open Word every day and stare at the blinking cursor :)

More Feng Shui advice: Be sure your back is not to the door so you can keep an eye on things and the good Chi can enter freely. Have a wall behind you to feel supported in your career choice.

I face a wall when I write. And I have the option to look out a window--with my L-shaped desk, which I just read is not good for Chi. But I've tried sitting in the middle of the room with a wall behind me and it made me feel--jittery. Exposed. I just seem to need a wall in front of me for comfort. Maybe it was all those hours I spent in the library studying in carrels, staring at blank gray--um, carrel spaces.

Sometimes I think that ideally, it would be nice to be surrounded by walls--a tiny little space that just fits you and your writing and no other distractions. I once read that a famous writer--I forget whom--locked himself up into a little closet to write. I actually like that idea a lot! Away from family, phone, etc. in your own little sealed-up private space...so maybe I should ditch the office and consider writing in my closet.

Feng shui colors are important, and here as well I have gone wrong. Blue is calming , it represnts water and encourages release, higher thought, and inner wisdom.
Purple--also a good color, represents enlightenment, prosperity, and creativity.
So then, um...my office wallpaper...very un-Feng Shui pink curli-ques!



photo.JPG


If you do use blue, be sure to put some orange accents in there--perhaps as a bouquet of flowers--for contrast and fire so you don't get too lethargic from all the calming tones.

Kerrie Flanagen tells us to not forget good lighting, a comfy chair, and a window or picture with depth of view.

Two more tips:

--Plants can minimize electronic fields, which can disturb Chi.

--Use your South wall for fame and recognition. Here's where you place book covers, awards, diplomas, and the goals you aspire to achieve.

And for those of us who don't have time to worry too much about Feng Shui...here's to a nice, quiet writing space in 2013 (even if it's the kitchen table), where we can simply write in peace.

May 2013 be a great writing year, full of good Chi, great ideas, and a calm place where you can work hard and prosper!



4 comments:

  1. I tried Feng Shui once. I'm not sure it worked. Right now, I have a view over the hills to a bay. Lots of greens and blues, and I got to see whales.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, lovely and inspiring, Ella! Thanks for stopping by :)

      Delete
  2. Hi Miranda

    I am doing all the wrong things too. I have my desk facing a window (west) and have my back to the door. I have a green feature wall (not purple or blue) and it is in my bedroom which means it is very tempting to lie down on the bed when things are not flowing and end up asleep. I think I may need to buy a room divider so that I can seperate the spaces.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cassandra,
      So funny. I hear you about the temptation to sleep--if I lean back anywhere--in a chair, etc., I'm asleep in 5 minutes. So I try to stay as upright as possible!
      You know, at first I wasn't comfortable writing at home at all. It made me...nervous, no matter where I was. I felt like I could never find the right space. It was only after habit--sitting down and getting to work over and over again that I managed to find peace of mind with my writing space. It just took time. So it may be there's nothing wrong with your writing space being in your bedroom but all the other anxieties that come along with writing. (IDK, just a thought.)
      To be truthful, I switch where I write. I love my office but I often end up in the kitchen or dining room during the day when I am home alone. My office isn't very sunny during the day and I like to go where it's bright (especially in northern Ohio where the sun is rare in the winter!).
      Thanks for commenting and good luck!

      Delete