Making Space to Write: Small Rituals That Invite Creativity In

Photo credit: EyeEm Mobile GmbH (iStock)

Songwriting is a portable craft. You can write in the car, on a plane, in the middle of the night with your phone balanced on your chest. Some of the best ideas arrive when you’re nowhere near a desk. But there’s something powerful about having a space that’s yours—somewhere you return to again and again. A place that gently signals: this is where I come to listen in, to put words to something I might not have known I was feeling.

I'm very lucky to have a dedicated space now for my songwriting—but it wasn’t always like that. Before I built my garden studio, I used a corner of our spare room for recording and writing. It wasn’t anything fancy—but it felt like mine. And that was enough.

That experience taught me something important: it’s less about where you write and more about how that space makes you feel. And even now, with a space purpose-built for creativity, I still have to be intentional about how I use it.

Despite having that bespoke space now, it still doubles as a teaching studio during the week. So at the end of each day I’ve gotten into the routine of resetting it—I make a point of packing away lesson books, closing out of teaching apps on my iPad, clearing and wiping down the table. It's not just about tidying. It's about creating a little mental shift so that when I come out in the morning, the space is already set up for me.

Notebook open. Favourite pen. Candle ready to be lit. Coaster waiting for my coffee.

It’s a small ritual, but it helps me begin with intention.

You don’t need much to create a space that supports your writing. Just a few thoughtful touches can make it feel easier to begin.

Clear a little space

Clearing the physical space around you can be a surprisingly powerful creative cue. Even just pushing aside the mail or wiping down the table can feel like an invitation to shift gears. You don’t have to deep-clean or redecorate—just make enough room to land, breathe, and begin. It’s a way of saying to yourself, this matters.

Keep what you need close

When everything’s within reach—your notebook, instrument, a working pen, a warm drink—it reduces the number of tiny decisions that can derail your focus. Think of it as setting the table before a meal. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, just ready. A little preparation now makes it easier to stay in the flow later.

Start with something familiar

Lighting a candle. Pulling on your favourite hoodie. Grabbing your go-to mug. These small rituals help signal that it’s time to create. They don’t need to be fancy or sacred—just consistent. Over time, your brain begins to associate those gestures with creative presence, making it easier to drop into the moment.

Let it feel like you

This is your space, your voice, your process. Add something that reminds you of that—a lyric that stuck with you, a photo that makes you smile, a colour that reflects your mood. You’re not designing an aesthetic; you’re building an environment where your creativity feels at home. Make it personal, not performative.

Let it be enough

Don’t wait for perfect. Don’t wait for one day. The tiniest corner can become a creative sanctuary with the right intention. Whether it’s a desk, a chair, or just your phone and headphones on a walk, what matters most is how it feels to be there. Making space to write isn’t about having the right furniture—it’s about creating the conditions that help you feel ready.

Why Making Space to Write Matters

Creativity doesn’t always need a special location—but the environment we write in does affect how we feel.

Making space to write—physically, mentally, emotionally—is a way of honouring the part of you that wants to create. It's not about aesthetics or productivity. It’s about making the choice to show up, even when life is full and energy is limited.

It’s a quiet kind of care. And sometimes, that’s what keeps the door open. You don’t need a perfect setup—just a small space that helps you return to yourself.

So go on… light the candle, open the notebook, and say: I’m here now. Let’s see what shows up.

What does your creative space look like?

We’d love to see the space where your creativity lives—whether it’s a dedicated studio, a sunny corner of the sofa, or a notebook on your lap during the school run.

📷 Share a photo of your writing space over on social media and tag @wewritesongs.club—or pop into the comments and tell us where you write, and what helps you feel most at home in your creative process.

Your space might be just the encouragement someone else needs to make room for their own creativity! ✨

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