I had a room if my own before COVID and because my husband’s job requires frequent video meetings and mine is flexible he took it over. A year later we built a backyard studio for me - just a shed, and I feel very fortunate to have it. But I am not always able to use it. My child is also high support needs - we are both autistic - and so more often than not I work at the kitchen table or a desk in the living room. Parenthood is different than I’d imagined, but we’re making it work.
COVID lockdown was really helpful to me in this way. I had to create a desk space because I was working from home. And then I just started writing novels at it after I went back to the office. It is in the corner of my bedroom (not ideal but...) and I have a few small bookshelves for research and a corkboard. It made a huge difference!
Living with the folks again at 36 has me scrounging for writing space just like this 🫠 So important to have even a tiny space for ourselves to flourish in x
It’s not just when you have children around. I have the house to myself much of the time but that is different from having my own space. Last week I wrote about the difference having a desk has made to me. https://helenpoore.substack.com/p/reclaiming-quiet
I have a writing space in the attic but it also ends up as the dumping ground where all the things that need sorting end up. I’ve found myself instead writing on the sofa or in bed, and I’ve needed this gentle approach recently, but I do also want to sort the attic out so I can make it feel a welcoming space again.
I work at the kitchen table and move my laptop and books off it every day. I am desperate for a desk of my own (a room would be even better). Reading your post has really made me think that I should claim some space for one in my family home...
I had a room if my own before COVID and because my husband’s job requires frequent video meetings and mine is flexible he took it over. A year later we built a backyard studio for me - just a shed, and I feel very fortunate to have it. But I am not always able to use it. My child is also high support needs - we are both autistic - and so more often than not I work at the kitchen table or a desk in the living room. Parenthood is different than I’d imagined, but we’re making it work.
I’ve thought about a garden studio a lot over the years and I haven’t done it for this reason! Maybe in the future….
COVID lockdown was really helpful to me in this way. I had to create a desk space because I was working from home. And then I just started writing novels at it after I went back to the office. It is in the corner of my bedroom (not ideal but...) and I have a few small bookshelves for research and a corkboard. It made a huge difference!
I think Covid helped many of us on this front!
Living with the folks again at 36 has me scrounging for writing space just like this 🫠 So important to have even a tiny space for ourselves to flourish in x
Yes!! I hope you’ve managed to carve out something for yourself ❤️
It’s not just when you have children around. I have the house to myself much of the time but that is different from having my own space. Last week I wrote about the difference having a desk has made to me. https://helenpoore.substack.com/p/reclaiming-quiet
Oh yes definitely! There are so many barriers to giving ourselves space - not just children or other family members who might be dependent on us
Yes! I so need to get myself a desk and create some space x
Let me know if you manage it!
I have a writing space in the attic but it also ends up as the dumping ground where all the things that need sorting end up. I’ve found myself instead writing on the sofa or in bed, and I’ve needed this gentle approach recently, but I do also want to sort the attic out so I can make it feel a welcoming space again.
Ahh I write all over as well :). But there’s something about having a spot that’s just for me that really helps
I work at the kitchen table and move my laptop and books off it every day. I am desperate for a desk of my own (a room would be even better). Reading your post has really made me think that I should claim some space for one in my family home...
It can be hard to do it but then afterwards it’s hard to imagine what was holding us back…. Give it a go!
Children take up so much space..so important to protect a space for yourself.
They really do! Possibly controversial but I think sometimes they don’t need quite as much space as we give them 😊
I 100% agree with this!