For about four years, I have shared my office space with a bed. It was a dual purpose room – guest room (less than eleven days a year) and an office (all the time). This month, I am shifting things around. The trundle day bed that lived in here with me has made a 9yo neighbor VERY happy. And the ‘close your eyes and throw’ closet has been emptied, refitted with shelves that work, and looks big enough to live in. I will still share the space (the room, not the closet) with guests, but on a mattress that can be put away when they are gone. 

I have committed to not bringing in or buying any new furniture for at least a month – so that I can fully feel the space and let her tell me what she wants and needs. I sit in space and curiosity. The cats explore new corners and have napped in new spots. 

It has been surprising how opening up the space and allowing myself to fill it in has made a big difference in my focus. I am able to dig into projects more deeply. I feel a more peaceful presence as I sit at my desk. 

I used to feel that I needed to apologize for needing the space to work with and for me. But now I know that it is part of the way that I work, and it is senseless to try to work against it. That being said – I had no idea of how crowded my self felt when I was trying to keep space for the guest room in my office. 

Yesterday I listened to an interview with Michael Spicher. His website tag is “Create Beauty. Think Clearly.” His work focuses on how our spaces impact how we work. Imagine how excited I felt after writing this post (at the end of last week) and hearing him support exactly what I’m experiencing. 

What are some of the things you keep nearby to support your work? To support you?