By Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites

I love my silly pens. They make me laugh and motivate me to write, or at least, create my to-do list.  I feel peace with my favorite things in view. When my fingers dance across the keyboard, I see my sunflower and cat pen cheering me on.

Your writing space isn’t just a desk and chair; it’s an extension of your mind.

Familiar objects reduce stress and signal safety to your brain. In a world full of distractions and self-doubt, that sense of security is priceless.

These items also fuel inspiration. A childhood toy might unlock a memory that births a scene. A pressed flower could evoke a setting. A  Bible verse or quote pinned nearby reinforces your writing voice.

Did you know that Hemingway’s workspaces featured personal artifacts like a sack of lion’s teeth and wood carvings of African animals? He also kept two unwound clocks, shoehorns, and a reading board. Virginia Woolf advocated for “a room of one’s own” filled with meaningful elements.

Your favorite things can transform writing from a chore into a chapter. They whisper, “You’re in the right place. Keep going.” In a craft that demands vulnerability and persistence, that encouragement matters.

Writing is difficult enough. Let’s invest in a creative environment so our thought process is not sabotaged.

If your space contains nothing that sparks delight, burnout accelerates. Cultivate joy by adding your favorite things.

Consider:

A favorite candle.

A delicious snack.

A quirky mug.

Your cat or dog curled at your feet.

A stack of beloved books.

A soft lamp instead of harsh overhead lighting.

Your favorite pen.

The goal is not visual perfection.

It is emotional alignment.

Ask:

Does this object steady me?

Does it inspire me?

 Does it remind me why I write?

If yes, it belongs.

 Create Your “Favorite Things” Writing Ritual

1. Choose 3–7 objects that make you feel grounded, safe, or inspired.
2. Remove anything from your desk that drains you. I removed my electric bill.
3. Add one sensory element (scent, texture, sound, or lighting).

These objects are not frivolous. They are formative. They tell your nervous system:

You are safe.

You are creative.

You are allowed to say what needs to be said.

And sometimes, that small sense of permission is exactly what unlocks the page.

We know writing is mentally exhausting with deadlines, edits, rewrites, and marketing. Don’t let your environment fight against you. Surround yourself with your favorite things. It might not be lion’s teeth, but it’s yours to help you relax and create.

What do you need to remove from your desk? What are some of your special objects within your writing view? Join the conversation.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is a coach, editor, and partner at The Write Coach Team.

As former managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.

Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers ACFW.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to Selah nominated, Breaking the Chains, Heart Reno, and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books.

Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her eighteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 21 years.

Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats.