I am slowly building up my cocoon!

Since college days I was fond of reading and writing. I read about writers and artists having their favorite places to write and about their tables or pens or accessories/tools to set their creative juices flowing. I resolved that, creating a private space would be the first important step when I complete my studies and move into a house.

When I moved into my house, as it was customary then, my father wanted to gift a furniture of my choice. Inspired from my readings, I drew sketch of a wooden study table.

In my mind I had an image of a writer sitting on a comfortable chair writing on a rich mahogany wooden writing desk in a carpeted cozy room called “study”. There was no internet to give readymade images. They had to be formed in mind.

when this wooden desk came, I was excited. For days I ogled and drooled and was pretty sure of my beginning of a successful writing journey.

Sadly, it was not to happen. I had just started my career and in a few months got married. There were too many things in mind, and I just could not write. I realized that there is more to it than by just having a proper table in a cozy corner.

Fortunately, reading habit continued. A well lit space , comfortable chair in garden or an easy chair in drawing room was all that was required apart from a good book of course.

Habit of writing daily journal continued and to that extent I used of my favorite writing desk.

Yes, a private space for reading and writing does help.

• It signals mind to focus and engage in deep thought.
• It intentionally fosters a sense of tranquilty and peace.

Slowly I realized that creating a space in mind is more important than creating a physical space. Enter that mental space and you are in a proper mindset.

A desirable mindset for writing is

• when you do not need an external prompt to begin writing.
• where situations and surroundings give ideas.
• when, in imagination I create images, and then form words which create same images in reader’s mind.
• when my writing radiates energy and emotions which are felt by my readers.

How am I building my required mindset.?

• By being curious. Staying open to new ideas. Curiousity is the first step to ignite creativity.
• By practising mindfulness. It helps to quieten the mind so that ideas flow freely.
• By thinking divergently. By exploring multiple possibilities and solutions.
• By cultivating a growth mindset. A growth mindset encourages willingness to experiment new ideas.
• By developing a consistent routine of writing.
• By collaborating and networking. It gives constructive feedbacks. Writing blogs is a step in this direction.

What is the result or improvement now?

A combination of proper mental space and a physical space is helping to write better and better. Mentally I set a time to enter my metal space. As that time approaches, I feel an excitement. As I enter my mental writing chamber, lights outside get switched off. For next 30 mins or so, it’s me with my own self.

Physical space for writing still makes a difference. A comfortable place to sit, maybe on dining table, or sofa works well for me but my favorite position these days is on bed with laptop on my lap.

For reading, kindle has changed the dynamics. Now at airport, in a traffic jam, at a coffee shop, at a busy highway eatery – reading and watching people, lying in bed, wherever and whenever mind is quiet and wants to read, I have my kindle around.

What about my writing table?

It is there with me for over 30 years now, a little dusty, somewhat neglected, but I love her the same way when I saw her the first time.

She will have her day. Maybe after my retirement I will create a nest around her. We will together proceed on my writing journey.

I will never sell her. whenever time comes, I will gift it to someone of similar taste. After all, it is my father’s gift to me.