New Year, New Desk

At the beginning of a new year, many of us look to "clear the slate." We buy new planners, we set ambitious goals, and we promise ourselves that this will be the year of focus. Yet, we often try to build these new habits on the same cluttered, chaotic surfaces that held our stress the year before.

If you find yourself sitting down to write or work only to feel an immediate sense of "busy-ness" before you’ve even uncapped a pen, the problem likely isn't your willpower. It’s your environment.

The Psychology of "Visual Noise"

In environmental psychology, there is a concept known as Cognitive Load. Every object in your peripheral vision (that loose ink vial, the three different notebooks, the pen that ran out of ink yesterday) is vying for your brain's attention.  A cluttered desk creates Visual Noise. It’s like trying to listen to a solo cello in the middle of a crowded subway station. 

Nagomi is about finding the harmony of your work.  To do that, you have to step back and begin with silence. 

In Japan, the New Year is often preceded by Osoji (The Big Cleaning). It isn't just about hygiene; it’s about a spiritual purification of the space to welcome the new year's luck. For the writer or the artist, this reset can be broken down into three mindful steps.

• Embracing the "Ma" (The Space Between)

The first step of a true reset is to completely clear your desk. Take everything off until you see only the wood or the surface of the desk itself.

In Japanese aesthetics, this is "Ma," the essential void. We often fear empty spaces, feeling the need to fill them with stuff. But Ma is where the potential lives. Spend five minutes with a completely empty desk. Notice how your breathing changes when there are no objects demanding your attention.

• Curation over Collection

Most of us in the fountain pen and stationery world are collectors by nature. We love the variety of inks and the history of our pens. But a workspace is not a museum; it is a laboratory.

As you prepare to put items back on your desk, move from a mindset of collection to a mindset of curation.

The Power of Three: Try selecting only three pens for the week. One for your main writing, one for accents, and one for quick notes.

The Intentional Palette: Choose one ink bottle or a small set of samples.

When you limit your choices, you eliminate decision fatigue. You no longer spend ten minutes choosing a color; you spend ten minutes writing.

• The Biophilic Connection

We are biological creatures living in a digital world. This is why we are drawn to the tactile feel of heavy paper and the smooth flow of ink. We crave a connection to the physical.

Research into Biophilic Design suggests that the presence of natural materials—specifically wood grain—has a measurable restorative effect on the human nervous system. Touching a natural surface or seeing the organic pattern of a walnut grain can actually contribute to reducing stress. By incorporating natural elements into your setup, you aren't just decorating; you are creating a sanctuary that helps you stay grounded during a long workday.

 

Reclaiming Your Space with Nagomi Woodworking

At the end of the day, organization is not just about "putting things away." It is about giving the tools you love a place of honor. When an item has a dedicated "home," it stops being clutter and starts being an invitation.

If you are looking to bring a sense of harmony to your desk this year, our handcrafted pieces are designed to be the "anchors" for your ritual:

• The Pen Tomo: Designed to hold your three "daily driver" pens and your favorite A5 notebook, it serves as a physical boundary for your workspace—keeping the essentials close and the chaos at bay.
• Handcrafted Pen Trays: Small-batch, solid wood trays that protect your pens from "pen-on-pen crime" (scratches) while providing that essential biophilic connection to nature.
• The Nanairo Holder: A stable, elegant home for ink samples, turning a messy collection into a curated library.

We don't use nails or mass-production techniques because we believe that the energy put into the craft is felt by the person using it. We hope that as you reset your desk for the New Year, you find that perfect balance of form, feeling, and purpose.

Explore the Shop for Your New Year Reset

A Final Tip for the New Year

Try this: Tonight, before you go to bed, place your favorite pen in its tray and close your notebook. Leave the desk exactly as you want to find it in the morning. That feeling of "readiness" when you walk up to your desk tomorrow? That is Nagomi.