Want to help me get a standing desk? Check out the details in the donation box below the post and read my stories on Vocal!
Writing well is important, but even more important is setting yourself up to write well.
You can have the best ideas in the world, but if you don’t give yourself an environment where you thrive, you might as well have no ideas at all – because you won’t be able to write them down.
Finding out the kind of environment that works for you isn’t an instant knowledge you have. It’s taken me years to get my office setup right, and I’m still adding more to it (see how you can help below the post!). One of the most important things to have is a good chair. It may sound silly, but I’m serious. Without a good chair, you adopt bad posture and your back and neck start to hurt. That’s not conducive to good writing or good living. Unfortunately, good chairs are hard to come by, but thanks to all of you, I now have a quality, lasting chair!
With the contributions of some awesome people, I was finally able to buy a good chair after almost 3 years of struggling with terrible ones. This one is sturdy, supports my back and neck, and allows me to maintain good posture. I’ve only had it for a few days and I can already tell the difference!
In addition to a good chair, an efficient, motivating, and distraction-free workspace is key. Here’s a picture of my own desk, which yes, stays this neat even while I’m working (unless I bring in my tea tray, of course):
I have some items that are inspirational rather than functional. A print of a favourite painting that I saw in a museum in Taiwan. A magazine signed by Peter Capaldi, reminding me of one of the coolest moments of my life. A card from church listing the promises of God. A glass frog my husband has had since he was a toddler. A glance at these little inspiring things can make the difference between writer’s block and a productive writing day.
Then there’s the stuff that physically helps me to write. Laptop, obviously (a 2020 Macbook Air). A laptop stand. Logitech keyboard. Mouse and mousepad. Compression gloves. Planner. Sticky notes. Pens.
For me, these are all must-haves. Maybe you have different ones! For some I paid a bit more for a good, lasting product (keyboard and laptop), while with others, I opted for something cheap because the quality didn’t much matter to me as long as it worked (mouse and stand). Have a question about the specific items I bought? Let me know in the comments!
It may be an investment to make a quality office space for yourself, but it’s worth it if it’s going to help you write more and better in the long run. Take your time acquiring these products, too; you don’t have to get them all at once. I know I didn’t! Set aside a bit of money each month to save for these things and watch how much of a difference it makes.
Every quality writer needs a quality workspace. It’s the perfect way to ensure you can write better, longer, and faster.
Happy writing!
-E.J.
Want to delve even further into the writing world? Subscribe to my monthly newsletter to get a FREE storytelling guidebook right off the bat, plus insider looks into my upcoming works, writing memes, book recs, and much more!
Current Donation Goal: Standing Desk! $0/$150
Choose a donation amount
Or enter a custom amount
When you write as much as I do, you have to take frequent breaks from sitting. A standing desk (not a whole desk, but a mini desk that will sit on top of my current desk with my laptop, keyboard, and mouse and extend upward) will allow me to continue working while maintaining that good blood flow to my brain. Thank you so much for your support that allows me to keep producing free content. God bless you! ♥️ E.J.
Donate
E.J. Robison 