A Space of My Own!

Is there a certain place in your home that's dedicated to being your workspace? I do, but as my laptop is still in the repair shop, I have to share Mikael's desktop computer. Now we are only talking about a physical move of about 40 inches, but in terms of concentration, it's a whole world away from where I usually sit.

My desk doesn't always look like it belongs on the cover of a glossy magazine, but I do try to tidy all the pens, books, disks, etc into their appropriate storage area at the end of each working day. For me, this means that each morning I start afresh, just getting out what I need to tackle my first project. As the work session progresses, my desk becomes increasingly cluttered with reference books, papers, and other bits and pieces, but by then my thought processes are awake and able to create despite the chaos.

Mikael's desk on the other hand has no spare space. Having sat here trying to work for two weeks, I'm convinced that he has a strict policy of never allowing the desk top to show. Perhaps it's a superstitious thing - like a child not wanting walking on the sidewalk cracks. It's difficult to even find a space on the mouse mat to navigate the cursor around the screen. This works for him. He knows what papers are on his desk, and more or less which pile they are in (or under). It doesn't bother him that some piles are in danger of collapse or that his fingers are in peril of being crushed by a pile of cds. I guess his artistic nature is more frenzied than mine! 

Consequently I'm finding my creativity blocked by all the mess here. Instead of approaching the office with joyful anticipation each morning, I put off starting as long as possible - not particularly wise when your work schedule is confined to specific times and you're already way behind! As I struggle to get through my tasks, I look longingly at my clutter-free desk and once more count how many days it will be until my laptop is returned and I can once more sit in calm serenity at my own workspace.

Katie-Anne, 2001