As I am writing this article, my 18 month old is playing on the couch. He just threw one of those flimsy, plastic rulers while munching on a bag of Cheerios. Jordan is just far enough from the edge of the couch for me not to worry about him falling off, but just close enough for me to keep looking up every 10 seconds. This clearly is not the ideal writing environment for me. I try to focus as I hear creaking from the springs of the couch. He is bouncing up and down. I watch as he teeters closer and further away from the edge of the couch. The sandwich bag rattles as he reaches for more Cheerios. I look up to see how many pieces, at this point, have fallen to the ground. The bag is upside down now and as I reach to prevent more from falling out, I only make it worse. He swings the bag back, sprinkling the cereal on the ground as if water for grass. Now I am completely up from my seat, fully distracted, not making much progress. This is a prime example of how our environment can affect our ability to create.
Environment means anything affecting your senses in your immediate surroundings. What can you see, smell, hear, taste and touch? All of these things can affect how we show up in our creative space. We have trained ourselves to ignore our senses to focus our attention towards something more worthy of our time. However, our senses alert us to address what’s happening in our surroundings and how it is affecting us.
Observing the impact of our environment is not to induce shame or guilt. The purpose is to bring awareness around what could be keeping us from creating the way we want. There are many factors that affect our creativity. I am here to show you how they can contribute to how you are showing up.
How Our Senses Affect Us
There is no one-size-fits-all for how things affect our senses. We all have different tolerances for our environments as well. Below are a few ways our senses can impact our ability to create.
Sight
What does your creative environment look like? The pile of clothes in the corner of your room, the coffee-stained coffee mug from this morning, and the stack of mail/papers you thought would be filed by now. Clutter and disorganization can impact your ability to stay focused.
Smell
How does your creative space smell? Maybe you haven’t noticed the stench of your socks because it is tucked tight inside your sneakers. Personally, I have found that a well-scented candle allows me to be more calm and attentive when I am working. Smell can either distract us or help with focus.
Sound
What do you hear in the background that inhibits your ability to focus? What sounds drown out other noises to help you stay engaged? Loud noises on your street might be annoying and could interrupt your natural creative flow. However, calming instrumental music may regain your attention.
Taste
This sense can be hard to recognize if we aren’t actively chewing or drinking something. But perhaps morning breath could be distracting you from creating content. For some, tasting the mint flavor from a piece of gum might help you stay engaged.
Touch
What is the temperature like in your creative space and how is it affecting you? Consider the clothes you are wearing. Maybe your sweatpants feel comfortable but you find yourself falling asleep at your desk.
What can I do about my environment?
Take some time to review your space and observe how your environment is impacting your creativity. (Or maybe you don’t have a creative space. Observe how not having one is affecting you.)Then examine the following exercises:
Exercise #1: Make a list
Make a list of environmental distractions and motivators. You can make several lists focusing on one sense at a time, or all at once.
Example:
| Distractions | Motivators | Sense |
| Pile of clothes | Clean space | Visual |
| Noisy | Cancelling Headphones | Hearing |
| Social media alerts | Do not Disturb/Focus mode | Visual |
| Uncomfortable chair | Comfortable Chair | Touch |
| Trash Can Odor | Clean Trash Can | Smell |
Exercise # 2: Journal
Reflect on the questions below to consider how your environment is impacting your creativity.
Think back to the times when you have found creating the easiest. What about your environment helped to influence your creativity?
Think of the times it was most difficult to create. What about your environment influenced your creativity?
How productive are you in your creative space?
Of the environmental factors, there will be things within your control and things out of your control.
For the changes you can make, how can you alter your space to be conducive to your creativity?
For the things outside of your control, how can you change your approach?
Exercise #3: Visualize and make small changes
Start with a picture of your ideal space.
- Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to get started.
- What kind of space would be best suitable for you to create in?
- Observe what thoughts and feelings are associated with this space.
- Consider how much more productive and creative you might be if this space reflected your vision.
- Write down the top 3 changes you can make and set realistic deadlines for making this happen.
- Slowly enhance your space as you are able until it is how you like it.
- Re-evaluate your space in 3 months.
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