By Ben

I have been to all of these places in my time.  Personally I am always looking for mind opening places to work from in East London; to write from, has an atmosphere, motivates me, that are often not too busy.  So here’s a few that keep my mind open whilst I write.

HUSK CREATIVE SPACE AND COFFEE

Husk Create Space and Coffee House, Commercial Road, Limehouse.

This is probably where I have spent the most time.  It is about a 5 minute walk from where I live and a 1 minute walk from the DLR station.  There is lots to love in that it is a small, independent, charity owned creative space.  The wifi is good, the staff are cool, the vegan options are great. Sandwiches and hot snacks etc.  I love the smoothies.  Above all there are lots of creative types here, all working on their own ideas and dreams.  In conclusion mind opening this place certainly is.  Just inside is also in house art galleries that change regularly so when I’m hitting the ‘enlightenment walls’ I have a ganders at the art there.  Many of the Realiser blogs have been written from there.  

CANARY COFFEE

Canary Coffee, Canary Wharf, Novotell, London.

This place is a little gem mind opening gem in my opinion and therefore required a definite inclusion.  At the bottom of the Novotel in Canary Wharf might not seem like the kind of place I could find inspiration.  A large corporate business above me, people coming and going all the time. However the creation of this website was born there!  Similarly I would sit there on the rainy days on the comfortable sofas drinking the great coffee and listening to the music.  The wifi is super fast, it has a great smell (not sure what it is), it is light and airy.  Although it is only a small space it never seems to get that busy with freelancers.  I really did find it helped me quiet my mind and let the realisations flow out on to the keyboard.   

THE STAR OF THE EAST

The Star of the East, Commercial Road, Limehouse.

You get free toast in the mornings, so enough said.  I mean, how can you not be spiritual with free toast!  The Star of the East is a newer venture than the other places here and is an actual pub rather than a creative space or coffee house.  They advertise on social media for freelancers to use the space in the quieter day times.  Wifi is good, lots of alcoholic options which might not be ideal for a clear mind.  

 

WE ARE VEGAN EVERYTHING (WAVE)

We Are Vegan Everything, Dispensary Lane, Hackney.

One of my favourite places I have been to so far, Vegan down to it’s core which sits very well with me indeed.  All the inside to outside space here makes me feel really homely and relaxed and as it is tucked away down Dispensary Lane the crowd is like minded.  Likewise, being surrounded by a way of life I have chosen makes me feel like I am in the right place. It make my ideas flourish.  Being around like minded people is a definite need for me as I grow and learn, just a shame there is only one at the moment! 

 

REALISER

Realiser was born from me wanting to be in a realised state.  A state of awaken, to be able to see the obvious having missed it for sooo many years.  I wanted to create something to serve as an example of how it could be.  If only we might spent the time meditating that we spent hating, spend the time being kind to others for no reason.  You get the idea.  I will travel around doing what I can and would love for you to join me.