Writing and Growing Older

In my early twenties, I had a corkboard of writing prompts. Next to it I kept rows of sticky notes that outlined my novel, allowing me to rearrange the plot while I was editing if something didn’t fit where it was. I don’t have particularly strong memories of the bedroom I had from eleven to twenty two, but I remember writing there.

I remember my first notebook of poems and songs, even though the only instrument I could play was the flute. I remember starting university and having a row of my bookcase set aside for the novels I had to read for my assignments. I don’t have most of them anymore because while I love classics, the ones I had to read were not ones I would choose to read again. (Looking at you, Wuthering Heights.)

I didn’t start my blog in that room, but it was where it began to change. As I changed. Discovered specific interests, chose to follow certain topics over others. While I have deleted (many) old blog posts, I have kept all the word documents in which I wrote them. They are still in existence, even if not public.

Where I live now is a space where I can be creative. The kitchen invites me to learn new recipes. Many times I have grabbed my guitar and played a song in those few minutes before I need to leave the house. The books on my bedside table remind me to spend time doing what I love.

But the study always felt lacking to me.

Part spare room and part study, the space felt awkward. The bed and desk take up most of the space, with a built-in wardrobe that doesn’t allow for anything else. That cupboard was always the space for the random items you can’t get rid of but have nowhere else to live – lightbulbs, stepladder, the keyboard I haven’t played in years but don’t know what to do with.

It is organised within itself; I added storage for important documents, stationery, electronic bits and pieces, games.

But being somewhat organised wasn’t enough. I didn’t like being in the room and my desk went unused.

Ever since moving here, I haven’t had a routine with writing. I think part of the problem was not having “a room of one’s own”, as Virginia Woolf would say. I would write at the dining table (which I’m sure I still will on occasion), but then I wouldn’t feel like eating there. I would write on the lounge, but then I wouldn’t feel like reading and relaxing in that space. One action impacted another.

And so recently, hoping to get back into a writing routine, I decided to make the study a space I enjoy.

I printed off some different writing advice and poetry that motivates me and have stuck them to the wall next to my desk. It isn’t busy enough to clutter the space but adds another dimension. And it motivates me to write here! Already I have been inspired. While it doesn’t do the writing for me, it helps me to stay in the chair and keep going.

My hope is to habit stack. I am getting into a routine of walking in the mornings, and I plan on writing in the time before that, creating a simple but beneficial morning schedule. We’ll see what happens…

In all of this, I am thinking about turning twenty six. Which is happening tomorrow. I’m actually really looking forward to it. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next year; what things I create, the friends I connect with. How my job role will change, the ways I get involved with church. Exciting times ahead! And maybe I will write about them…

Sarah xx