For those of us who want to write, do art, make music, meditate, or do other creative endeavors from home, one of the trickiest parts is carving out a secluded space that is just for us and what we wish to create. Some of us feel guilty for giving ourselves this time to concentrate exclusively on something that nurtures our spirit. Some of us feel deep down that we do not deserve that time, or that it is frivolous, or that it is not a priority.

So, we let life encroach on our art.

Today, I want to share a few tips that have helped me create a calming work environment, one that makes me feel focused and serene as I try to create. While this is by no means necessary to create art, it doesn’t hinder it. I find that if I take the space seriously, if I section off a piece of my world that is solely for this undertaking, then I will treat my work with the respect it deserves. And perhaps I even treat myself with the respect I deserve.

First, establish a space that is intended solely for your writing or the creative project of your choosing. A writer that I admire, Simon Van Booy, emphasizes the need for a sacred writing space that is meant solely for this purpose alone. Do not let anything else invade that space. No bills, no mail, nothing from your day job if you have one. Allow that space to be used for your creativity and for it alone. Treat that space with respect and reverence. Let it be a shrine to your own value and self-worth, commemorating what this focus on yourself and setting the boundaries of your own life mean to you.

Next, make sure the area is clear of clutter. If you want notes or books at hand for research or brainstorming, make sure they are kept off of the desk itself if possible. I have adapted this approach into an area that works quite well for me. For a while, I had to use a corner of my bedroom as a workspace. I taped my outlines, story element sheets, and inspirational printouts on the wall behind and above the computer monitor. This way, I could see these things constantly but have my workspace clear at all times. Now, I have a dedicated study that is separate from my bedroom, and it was much easier to place a couple of bookshelves, a filing cabinet, and a supply cabinet in there. It lets me keep my desk as clear as possible. No longer do I feel overwhelmed from the sheer amount of crap on my desk. This idea of establishing a dedicated and sacred workspace has been one of the most helpful to me in my writing path. Most of all, having very few objects in your workspace signals that this area is off limits to the other parts of life, that your work is something special.

I understand that it is a luxury to have a separate room or office for working at home. I didn’t always have this, either. I spent many years working from bed or on the sofa. Consider repurposing a walk-in closet as an office. You can clear out the clothes, put in a small desk for less than $30, shut the door, and put on noise-canceling headphones. Block out the world for a short time.

If you don’t have a corner of a room to use, you can try the dining room table, but it is hard to distance yourself from the workings of the household in such a centrally located space. The dining room, like the kitchen, is a natural space for family congregation. This lovely anchor of family life can be a real burden on your creative life. Try to find something separate, a space apart.

If clutter is detrimental to creating a serene working environment, then what items might you want in your workspace? I’ve found that it is calming to me when I bring a cup of tea (like this lovely wooden one) and light a candle when I start working. My favorite candles are from Voluspa–I’m crazy about the Baltic Amber and Goji Tarocco Orange. A candle’s smell is soothing, and the dancing flame mesmerizes you while your thoughts explore new terrain. Bring the things that speak to you. If you’re a coffee person, bring a nice French press. If you like sparkling water, put it in a nice cup and add lemon or mint. Treat yourself to something that feels soothing to your soul.

Most importantly, make sure that you create a workspace to which you feel drawn. You want to be there. You like how you feel when are you there. This space should make you feel wanted and needed. Don’t treat your art as something you’ll get to when you can; treat it with reverence. And the place where you make this art is a space for self-exploration and reverie, not for the concerns of the world. Let go of the world and its stresses, even if for a few fleeting moments. The world will carry on. And you will return to it soon enough.

*If you want to read something by Simon Van Booy, consider Everything Beautiful Began After.