By hannover-web.com In an interview with the new colleague Xiaoyue, a young woman born in the ’90s, she shared her creative journey transforming her workspace during her first month on the job. Each Friday, a fresh delivery of flowers and greenery arrives, turning her desk into a lush “little forest.”
The plants that Xiaoyue has chosen are low-maintenance varieties like pothos, bellflower, nandina, and monstera, which require minimal watering yet maintain their vibrant green appearance. She also carefully selects flowers such as daisies, single-petal snow willow, creamy sunflowers, and peonies, employing simple care techniques tailored to each species. The flower pots she purchased online are quite charming as well, ranging from simple and elegant to uniquely designed. Some even have playful slogans like “Pack Happiness,” “Attract Wealth,” and “No Slacking Today,” perfectly displayed on a custom shelf beside her desk. To complete the aesthetic, Xiaoyue has replaced her mouse and keyboard with green ones and uses a matching green water bottle, creating a delightful and harmonious workspace.
Sitting at her desk feels like being in a “little oxygen bar,” radiating a sense of serenity and strength. Every time I pass by, I can’t help but take a deep breath and joke, “Is this your way of making the office more pleasant for yourself?”
Xiaoyue explained, “We spend about one-third or more of our time at work, so it’s like a second home. Since we can’t reduce work hours, why not create a more comfortable environment within that limited space to bring more anticipation to our workdays?” She introduced us to a Douban group called “Can I Take a Look at Your Workspace,” which describes itself as a space where people share insights and成果 about decorating their workspaces, highlighting the importance of our environment at work in reflecting our true selves. This group, active for over two years, features thousands of members sharing their office decor experiences.
One member, who operates a pottery studio, shared a photo of her workspace: a clear blue sky, a flourishing chestnut tree, and delicate lilac petals scattered on the windowsill. Her workspace, bathed in natural beauty from the window, sparked envy among fellow professionals. Xiaoyue pointed out, “Even though my desk isn’t by a window, with a little creativity and not much money, I can still bring nature close to me. When I’m feeling tired from work, watering my plants and admiring the flowers brings me right back to life.”
Looking at my own bare desk and cold computer screen, I realized how much more warmth and joy Xiaoyue’s workspace had compared to mine. Over time, I noticed her influence inspiring subtle changes in the workspaces around us.
For instance, the colleague in the adjacent office, Xiao Dai, transformed his space into a “fruit farm.” Last month, he had a green banana plant on his desk labeled “No Banana Anxiety.” As the bananas ripened into a soft, sweet treat, colleagues flocked to him for samples, and stress levels visibly dropped. This month, he switched his display to a branch of waxberries, with a new sign reading “Enjoying the Waxberries.” The berries transitioned from green to red, then to dark red, signalling they were ripe for picking. Xiao Dai shared his bounty with colleagues, and the fresh, juicy fruits were a hit, keeping him well-stocked with vitamin-rich offerings year-round. His quirky fruits and vegetables—like the lychees labeled “Stay Rational,” pumpkins saying “Everything Goes South,” and strawberries with “Berry Concerns”—not only added freshness to the office but also strengthened his relationships with coworkers, acting as a social lubricant.
Other colleagues also beautified their workspaces in unique ways: one displayed collectible figures from blind boxes, another arranged wellness-related jars labeled with honey, goji berries, and other health boosters. A colleague keen on feng shui hung good-luck ornaments and grew lucky bamboo plants, while even the minimalist among us put up smiling photos to remind themselves of their joy. These small changes reflect distinct personal styles and provide emotional value. To me, they encapsulate the aspirations of workplace individuals, manifesting the dreams of a better life.
As some say, while work may be temporary, life is not; and though workspaces might be small, our mindsets are boundless. I believe this captures the essence of why young professionals are “redecorating” their workspaces.
