Welcome Wednesday: What's your workspace like?

[Anne Saunders]

We see each other around the forums, on webinars, and when we're lucky, in person at an ACE event or Team, but we almost never see each other's workspaces, especially now that so many are working hybrid or remote!

I got to thinking about them because I’m a busy, cluttered soul and, for good or ill, my workspace reflects that. I work >90% remotely, and my little corner desk is *covered* with toys and fidgets and trinkets and office supplies and...

...and I realized how much it would annoy someone who needs a clear horizontal surface and clean lines to feel like they can think clearly  

So! What's your workspace like?

Are you a minimalist? A maximalist? A mess or an organizer? 

How closely does your IRL space match your ideal working environment? (I think I'd like one of those little lifts for my laptop and monitor so I can have a sometimes-standing desk without needing to replace everything.)

Bonus points if you're willing to share a photo, but absolutely no pressure! Here's mine:

 

Image description: a clean but cluttered desk with laptop, second monitor, one mouse that claims to be magic and another mouse who is, plus approximately 100 other pieces of flair including office supplies, toys, candles, miniature moai, and a sign that asks the eternal question, "But did you document it?".

If you're new to the Atlassian Community, or just new to the Welcome Center, Welcome Wednesday posts like this one are a fun & easy way to start conversations with other community members and get to know each other better. You can check out past Welcome Wednesday topics here - and Welcome!

[Matthew Sinclair]

My "Command Center" - censored some things so I'm not revealing too much of my personal life.

Pardon my mess - but its home.

100% Remote - Org Administrator - more of a put fires out on a daily basis and use loom to document what I find when I can however I can.

In play mode - not work mode - one of these days ill unify my systems into one keyboard/mouse somehow. :D

(My desk is my main PC Rig - got tired of stubbing my toe on a tower)

[Anwesha Pan]

wow the lightings 🔥

[Dave LIAO]

@Matthew Sinclair - love seeing Taipei 101 there!! Ever been? I still haven't been to its observatory.

[Anne Saunders]

My screens look a lot like yours when I don't replace them with the wallpaper, plus the iPad to the left 😅 

I'm loving your lighting, but the snack storage is absolutely ace!

[Matthew Sinclair]

@Anwesha Pan LED Strips - remote controlled. :)

@Dave LIAO my TCL TV has a screensaver on it when its idle - didn't know that location good to know. Every so often I get really good pictures. :)

@Anne Saunders iPad to the left is what I use to check whose at the door and roaming the house. Screens are always busy - I black boxed them out as I don't want to give too much personal information out. ^_^;

As to the lightning - I prefer the dark hehe.

Rooms a bit of a mess - but I'll get it cleaned/sorted and update the picture at some point.

[Anwesha Pan]

Loved your desk @Anne Saunders :) so many items but yet so tidy and clean!

[Dave LIAO]

@Anwesha Pan - what's your workspace like? 🙌🏻 

[Marcelo Montaño Sánchez]

Hi @Anne Saunders 

I can definitely relate to this. 😄

I used to have all kinds of ideas about creating the perfect workspace. At one point, I even had two monitors in addition to my laptop, and I kept changing their setup — horizontal, vertical, different positions... mostly because I liked seeing other people's desks and wanted to try something similar.

But after spending so much time working this way, my workspace has become much simpler. Now it's basically just a clean desk, a notebook, a few pens, one monitor, and my laptop. No more two or three monitors, no fancy setup, and not many decorations.

I guess over time I realized that I don't really need a complicated setup. I just need a clean space where I can focus. 😄

Marcelo 

[Dave LIAO]

@Marcelo Montaño Sánchez - 🙂‍↕️ *nods empathically*

Yessss.

I used to have so much stuff on my desk, but over time, I think we figure out what works for ourselves. This makes sense in a workplace too, when everyone is trying different processes and tools all the time, but mature organizations "settle" on what works for the largest group.

[Dave LIAO]

@Anne Saunders - I've got a few hours for planning/admin, so I'm at a cafe where I don't need much space or kit:

I think it's time for another coffee, maybe?

[Anne Saunders]

It's always time for another coffee! Cheers, @Dave LIAO ! ☕️