When I sit at my desk to write a blog post, I put to use my writing conditions — rituals that act as emotional anchors to usher me into a writing zone.

Inspired by Virginia Wolf’s, A Room of One’s Own, a few years ago I realized how important it was for me to have my own, quiet place to write.

It wasn’t enough for my room merely to be a quiet place; it had to be personal and equipped with items to nourish my creative spirit.

Artwork, my motivational word board, post-it notes, Papermate markers, my aloe plant, that paperweight I got as a gift from someone special many moons ago all so I’d feel a certain way when I was in my room. (I wrote about this before in 8 Ways to Achieve Inspired Ideas.)

But I soon realized that a pretty, quiet place wasn’t enough to support my writing practice as a blogger either. I needed something more.

That’s when I started noticing certain things I’d do whenever I sat down to write. I’ve been using them ever since. I call them my writing conditions, pinpointed next.

My 5 Writing Conditions

#1. A clutter-free, and organized desk. If not, I’ll be piddling around, straightening up, and wasting time.

#2. Time sitting at my desk to formalize the time I spend writing in comparison to the more relaxed position I take when I journal in bed.

#3. H2O in front of me so there’s no excuse to get up. Plus, I’m always thirsty.

#4. I love how the smell of Frankincense clears my head. I usually light my favorite incense or cut on my diffuser to fill the air with the spicy aroma when I sit down to write.

#5. Esperanza Spalding’s Pandora station playing in the background. I’ve tried to listen to other Pandora stations while I write, but they really get on my nerves.

Whenever I honor these rituals, I feel better and I believe I write better. 😇

Setting certain conditions as part of your writing practice helps you reach a desired emotional state, ultimately ushering you into a writing zone.

And maybe write better, stronger, and perhaps clearer too.

Consider these key elements to pinpoint your unique writing conditions.

⭐️ Your environment. What in your surroundings inspires and energizes you? Do you know what distracts you? What stimulates your 5 sense? What do you gaze at as you’re thinking? A window? Artwork? A favorite memento? Where do you prefer to write? At a desk? In a chair or bed? Outside?

⭐️ Your body. How do you physically prepare yourself to sit down and write? What do you do to relax? Where are your feet placed? How is your posture? How is your breathing? Do you get up often to stretch, move?

⭐️ Your tools. How do you prefer to write – pen to paper or fingers to keyboard? Is there a particular pen you write with or notebook you prefer? Are you okay tapping the keyboard on your mobile device? What do you have bookmarked on your browser, the website you visit often for support?

Can you think of other elements to consider when pinpointing your writing conditions? I’m sure I missed something.

Anyway, as I tap on my keyboard, I’m in my writing zone comfortably sitting at my clutter-free desk with my feet firmly planted on the ground. I’ve got a bottle of water in front of me and the essence of frankincense filling my space with a fragrant, transparent haze. I’m listening to Esperanza Spalding on Pandora because I can’t write without a certain jazziness playing in the background.

What about you? Have you thought about your writing conditions? What will it take to usher you into a writing zone? Drop a comment below or if you want, email me at zoe@gonegirlgo.com for a private exchange. If you’re not sure or haven’t set any, the next time you sit down to write, pay attention to the things you do to get into a writing zone.