Why I have a separate journaling desk

The idea of creating a journaling desk dawned upon me when I noticed that I’ve spent so much time on my digital work space. Whenever I tried to journal, I’d always end up watching another video on YouTube or online shopping.

My home workspace is beautiful but…

While I have a day job (which isn’t normally remote), I do have a dedicated workspace at home, which I fairly enjoy. It’s basically home to me. My workspace is an excellent productivity space but can also be distracting.

Lately, during the pandemic, I noticed that I’ve been spending too much time on my desk in front of my computer and less time on paper. I have neglected my analog productivity tools in favor of digital (the best digital tool I have right now is Notion). I keep my Hobonichi Weeks and a fountain pen on my desk but I don’t reach for it as much as I used to.

Read: Notion: The best digital Bullet Journal companion

I still love writing on paper but perhaps keeping them tucked away did not entice me to use them often. Since I previously kept everything (analog and digital) in one desk, it was also cluttered – and sometimes the mess discourage me to write.

Enter: my old desk space

I used to work on a built-in desk which was that came with the house/room. After a terrible storm in 2020, the roof above that area leaked overnight – nearly damaging my electronics and caused “severe” damage on the notebooks that I had left on the table the night before.

I had to move to another desk and left this desk unused for months.

💡 The Birth of the Journaling Nook

After some repairs, the built-in desk was free to use again. I initially had planned on transforming it into a vanity area before I thought of converting it in to a journaling space.

The central piece of the Journaling Nook idea was the Leather Desk Pad by Galen Leather. It used to be my computer desk pad but when I upgraded my current workspace (not pictured), I didn’t think it was essential anymore.

That’s really when I had a lightbulb moment: create another desk dedicated for journaling.

What I keep on display

Not every stationery I own is on display here. Some are stored in shelves and in baskets nearby. I wanted this journaling nook to be clean and as minimal as possible.

• Architect Desk Lamp with a 3W daylight bulb
• Galen Leather Pen and Tool Holder
• Galen Leather Desk Pad
• Maker’s Cabinet brass tools (Iris and Stria)
• Traveler’s Notebook (always on the desk pad)
• Favorite fountain pens (all inked)
• Other active notebooks (stream of consciousness journal)
• Bullet Journal archives (for reference purposes)

Does the journaling desk actually help?

Yes, especially because it keeps me away from my primary work desk. The journaling nook is a strictly analog space. When I was designing it, I knew that it should be a no electronics zone – no space to charge my phone or area for my laptop.

The desk also faces the window so that I won’t be tempted to watch anything on the side while I journal.

Did I spend more with 2 desk setups?

Fortunately not. In fact, I was able to repurpose a lot of my old stuff.

The desk is built-in so I didn’t have to buy another desk.

While not the most comfortable, I repurposed my old desk chair because I wouldn’t spend most of my time there anyway.

The leather desk mat from Galen Leather originally was part of my computer desk setup. The desk lamp was also a staple in my workspace.

I used a decorative vintage-like suitcase as a notebook stand.

The stationery on display are mostly from years of hoarding collecting and of course, products that have been sent my way for review.

A great addition to my workflow

Physically separating the analog from the digital space helped me get back into the journaling habit. The act of getting up from my workspace and walking to the journaling nook also helps clear my head and be more focused. I have made sure that I spend at least 30 minutes of journaling on this desk, leaving my digital distractions behind (literally, because the other desk is behind me).