chibiloulou

By Maria M. Ruiz

3 Ways to Make an Inspiring Workspace

It comes as no surprise that we are all highly influenced by our surroundings. Still on the fence about creating an inspiring workspace? Get this: a study from the National Institute of Mental Health and Ohio State University demonstrated how everything in our surroundings; wall colors, ceiling heights, light fixtures, etc. deeply affects how we think and feel. In his book “The Architecture of Happiness”, writer and philosopher, Alain de Botton, narrates how we can attribute a large quantity of both our happiness and misery to our environment.

That being said, as bloggers, our workspace should be a sanctuary that maximizes our creative workflow. And while your personal workspace need not follow any specific rules, you do deserve to be in a space that inspires you and allows you to be your most productive self. Here are a few ways you can create an office that beckons your attention.

inspiring workspace

Photo: @mariamruiz.com

1. Make Your Business Goals Visible in Creative Ways

Incorporating personal details, let’s say of hobbies or interests, will make your space truly feel like YOUR workspace and simultaneously ease your creative output. One way you can do this is by taking something ordinary and adding your personality to it.

For example, my primary focus is on my growth as a writer, so instead of having a regular pencil cup holder, I have a vintage “Hemingway” pencil cup. Seeing this vintage, little typewriter makes me happy and reminds me of my writing goal. It also doesn’t hurt that it is named after a legendary writer (wink wink).

inspiring workspace

Photo: @ mariamruiz.com

Another example is my camera-inspired tape dispenser because — you guessed it — I like photography. Then there is my raven paperweight. A favorite photo subject of mine is any ebony bird, mostly because I’m a big Edgar Allan Poe fan.

I also find that keeping motivational quotes or sayings keeps me positive and goal-oriented. These can be in the form of wall art, note holders, etc. I firmly believe that the visuals in our workspace should both inspire and portray our personal andprofessional goals clearly.

2. Maximize Your Space & Mindset for Uninterrupted Concentration 

In order to write and create, you need to concentrate. There is no way around it. Your workspace should ideally be as quiet and undisturbed from outside factors and interruptions as possible. But, life happens and we have to work with what we are given.

inspiring workspace

Photo: @mariamruiz.com

As someone who cannot concentrate with any bit of sound, I invested in noise canceling headphones. I absolutely love them. They keep me noise-free and in my creative zone. But, I am fully aware that there are plenty of people who can work with music playing. I continue to be both baffled and in awe of them. If you are one of said people, by all means, play the concentration music that keeps your creative juices flowing!

The bottom line is that your workspace should mentally prepare you to work. In my personal workspace, I chose not to have distractions, such as a TV (Netflix junkie over here), because I was adamant about keeping my sanctuary as distraction free as possible. But like I mentioned above, life happens and for me that involves a very needy puppy who is half adorable, half terror. His name is “Lucky”, and I always say he is lucky he is so cute.

Organization is key, so I went ahead and set specific time frames for walking/play time, which benefits me as well, because taking mental breaks is important. You should also be mindful of your needs, ahead of time, so that you are not constantly interrupting yourself. This means having your coffee, water or wine (whatever helps right?) already served, so you are not having to get up.

Whatever your personal situation is, make a schedule so that when it is workspace time, creating takes center stage.

3. Set the Mood

inspiring workspace

Photo: @mariamruiz.com

Is a cluttered desk a sign of a cluttered mind? Not necessarily. Researchers at the University of Minnesota conducted a series of experiments with surprising results. Those in orderly environments were prone to better behavior and healthier choices. Those in disorderly environments were more attuned with their creative thinking abilities. Whether you choose to keep your workspace messy or clean is a personal choice. I, myself, find unkempt spaces put me in a gloomy and unproductive mood. To each their own right?

In addition to making sure your space is just the right level of tidy or untidy, consider setting the mood with candles or other yummy smells. I personally like to light incense (Nag Champa for life). I find it very calming for writing.

Also, if possible, keep your workspace lit with natural light. It does wonders for our mental health. And lastly, keep yourself comfortable with moderate room temperature, not too hot or cold. Taking time to set the mood beforehand will keep your mind occupied on writing rather than small, external annoyances.

So, my fellow bloggers, whether you are just starting to set up your workspace, or you currently have one, I hope you find these tips informative and helpful. I am a firm believer that we all need a personal sanctuary to which we can go and escape from the boisterousness of daily life and do what we are called to do; create.

Heroes in Red

Not all heroes wear red capes, some wear red bomber jackets…

I recently spent a school day with 12 young educators at a local South Florida school. These young mentors are part of a national organization named City Year. City Year partners with schools to provide at-risk students with needs that the schools are unable to. At-risk students typically have low grades, poor attendance and are falling behind academically. City Year then places a team of AmeriCorps members to tutor and mentor these students, with their math and reading skills, both inside and outside the classroom.

Fun Fact: President Obama has worn the red jacket, so has President Clinton, superstars Bono and Emma Stone, and many more.

Upon my arrival, I was greeted by the team’s Program Manager, Morgan, a truly nice and caring individual. Walking through the school halls with her, I saw how welcomed the City Year presence was at the school. Students, faculty, security guards, they all greeted her with a genuine smile. When I entered the City Year office I met the Team Leader, Rain, who is also Morgan’s right hand gal. These two lovely ladies oversee the 10 AmeriCorps members: Taylor, Raquel, Francesca, Marissa, Andrea, Tatiana, Keisha, Kirti, Murielle and Gabe.

After sitting in on a typical staff meeting between these two, lunchtime quickly rolled around and the 10 Corps members shuffled in. The Corps’ day starts around 6:45am, so by lunchtime they had already gone though a plethora of student interactions and with more to come.  As they sat down to eat, I engaged them in conversation and learned more about what it takes to be a Corps member. Here comes the hero part…

Fun Fact: The City Year office does not have windows, so the Corps members decorated each others work stations with a “window” depicting everyones likes and interests!

In order to be a City Year Corps member, you must devote 11 months of service to the school you are assigned. Over half of these 10 Corps members are from out of state and cohabitate in an apartment complex, as well as carpool to the school together. In a touching way, they are their own little family away from home. Also, like most non-profit work, their stipend is not glamorous, so they have to sincerely love and believe in what they do. These young adults dedicate nearly a year of their lives, away from their loved ones, in order to serve the school, students and community, with little monetary compensation. They are the definition of selflessness. However, though at times taxing, being a Corps member has many benefits such as developing leadership skills, education awards, scholarship opportunities, and above all making a measurable impact in the lives of students.

Later that afternoon, the group assembled for “Civic Reflection”, an activity in which a social skill/topic is discussed. On this day, the skill was “empathy”. One by one they all stated what empathy meant to them and provided scenarios that allowed them to encounter empathy at the school. Listening to them convey how empathetic they are towards the students and in turn, the students back to them, showed me what a pivotal role they play in the lives of these kids. A majority of these students are experiencing hardships that most 30 year olds haven’t had to endure. For the Corps, one of the hardest challenges they face is when a student is so severely behind that the Corps members are unable to get them as far ahead as they had hoped. For some students, these Corps members are the only ones pushing them to graduate and reach their full potential. While continuing to hear the Corps members speak, I could not help but think to myself that they themselves embody the concept of empathy.

When Civic Reflection came to an end it was time for “Final Circle”. This consisted of all 12 of
them circling around me and chanting bountiful messages of positivity and well-wishes for me, and ending with what they call a “Whoosh Clap!” At this point, I had 24 hands being extended in my direction and wishing me nothing but good vibes and energy. The team initiated this wonderful tradition as a means to end the day on a positive note. I can tell you from first-hand experience, you want to be on the receiving end of a “Whoosh Clap” chant. It was such a great moment being surrounded by so many genuinely good people! I truly felt the positive energy in the room and wholeheartedly thanked them for their kindness. Needless to say, I could not stop smiling.

I was beyond grateful to be given the opportunity to spend a day with these 12 City Year members. They are truly a tight-knit group on a mission to making the world a better place, one student at a time. So, if you ever find yourself at a school and spot the signature red bomber jacket, you will know that it is being worn by someone who is selfless, trusted, a good role model and who believes in a greater cause than themselves. Now, look up “hero” in the dictionary.

Click here to partner with City Year and help keep students in school and on track. Let’s #MakeBetterHappen together!

If You Never Try, You’ll Never Know.

Hello my fellow loulous!

This is my first post, and what better way to kick-off my blog than with a “photography first” that I recently experienced? As some of you may know, I tend to refrain from photographing people. I do not do this on purpose, it just so happens to be. I find myself spending countless hours photographing animals, lamps, streets, nature, etc., but never people. The few occasions that I have photographed people, it has been in their natural element, where their looks or actions piqued my photographic eye.

This past week, however, I ventured into human territory. Dun, Dun, Dun…

My good friend Susset Cabrera, from Peacock Public Relations, asked me to take photos of her as she was being featured in a style blog. I was a bit surprised, and a little hesitant at first, but decided to go for it. After all, she believed in me, so why should I not believe in myself?

I met Susset at her office in Coral Gables, and started shooting immediately. Luckily for me, she is a natural in front of the camera and needed very little direction. After numerous shots and wardrobe changes, we both felt we had gotten “the shots.” Here are a couple from that day:

Susset 2

 

Susset 1

What I took from this experience is simple, venturing into new territory is scary, but it must be done. How can we expect to grow in our personal lives, career, or in my case photography, if we do not leave our comfort zone? My goal is to keep photographing people to get better and better at it. Who knows, perhaps I am opening a door to an area of photography that I would have never known, had I not taken a leap of faith in myself.

I would love to hear from you. Have you ventured into new territory recently? How did it make you feel?

Love always,