Welcome back everyone!
Today I will be discussing how to find or create a space where you feel comfortable working in and are at your highest levels of productivity. It’s perfect to figure out what works for you before the school year starts and you’re overloaded with homework and tests again, but it’s also always important to know where you work best in general. Keep in mind that different things work for different people, so my suggestions may not be what’s best for you. That being said, keep reading to get one step closer to finding your perfect work zone!
- Lighting can make a huge difference. I personally prefer to work near windows and natural lighting, but I know some people work better in slightly darker environments. Whatever is more comfortable for your eyes and just what you prefer in general is fine- make sure to find a location in your house that accomodates this. Even if you have to rearrange your furniture a bit, it’s worth it. Being able to look out at the sunshine through your window can be sooo much nicer than just looking up to see a blank wall.
- Keep the surfaces minimalistic. Cluttered spaces are usually associated with stress, so try and keep your area streamlined! Try not to let papers and random objects pile up; constantly go through things and organize them into drawers or files out of sight once you’re done with them. You can still have little decor or knicknacks, but I would keep those to a limit as well and try to only have them if they have some other function.
- Have all of your essentials in reach. Even though you want to have a relatively clear space, you also don’t want to constantly be moving around and getting out of your seat to find other supplies you need. Get some form of supply organizer for the top of your desk or better yet, inside a desk drawer and put everything you use on a daily basis there. It will make work so much faster and easier.
- Find a comfortable chair/seating area. This is kind of a no-brainer- we all would prefer to be as comfy as possible when working, right? Find a cushion-y spinny chair (my favorites!) or whatever shape of chair is most comfortable for you personally. It’s just better for your back and posture if you’re in a chair where you can sit up straight without experiencing discomfort.
- Listen to music while working. I know it varies from person to person, but I feel like most people enjoy listening to some form of music while they work. Whether it’s classical music or the latest rap songs (I honestly will listen to both of these genres while doing homework depending on my mood), listen to whatever motivates you. I find that time and work go by so much faster when I’m listening to some good songs.
- Light candles. This is just another ambience factor, but a pleasant aroma in your space makes you feel more relaxed and at peace. Different scents are especially relaxing, like lavendar and eucalyptus. Lighting candles always bring a calm vibe to the room, and it’s just a nice thing to do for your self-care.
- Dust and wipe down your desk/table/etc. often. Along with organization comes actual cleanliness! I know my desk can get super dusty on the top of the hutch, and the actual desktop can get pretty dirty just from all the work and different items that are always on it. Use Clorox wipes and any form of dust rag over the surface to get rid of germs and leave your space clean.
- Make it aesthetically pleasing for yourself. Whether this is making a mini vision board and hanging it up on the wall above your desk, having a color theme for all your supplies and decor, or having a custom desk calendar with your personal pictures, just do something that makes your space stand out to you. This will make it a happier place for you to spend time in, and there will always be something you can glance at that perks you up.
- Try to find a place where you won’t be disturbed by others or outside noise. Another obvious one, but it’s still important. No matter how good the lighting in your living room is, it may not be the best choice for studying if the rest of your family is always sitting there and conversing. Know where the best quiet spots are and try and take one of those and make it into your own. If you have your own room and there’s enough space for a desk and everything, I would recommend that as long as the rest of the environment/lighting is decent.
- Make sure you have ENOUGH space. I’ve talked about all these things you should do with your space, so you need a good amount of room to do it all! In all seriousness, it’s not fun trying to get work done on a cramped little desktop. It’s best if you can spread your stuff out and still have room for organization and a little decor. Obviously you have to consider size within reason, but try and get the biggest surface you can to work on.
I hope these tips gave you an idea of how to create your ideal workspace. A few small tweaks to your environment can make all the difference in your mood while working! No matter what, make sure you take breaks throughout your day. Even if you manage to find a place that you love working in and don’t want to get up, taking a breather to recharge your mental health is very important. Let me know if you guys have any requests for content as always! I have TONS of ideas for new posts so there will be lots of exciting things coming soon.
-Brooke
adventures of a typical high school student 