What Your Own Space Does For Your Productivity, Creativity and Sanity (aka My First Office! AAAAAH!) - When I Grow Up

What Your Own Space Does For Your Productivity, Creativity and Sanity (aka My First Office! AAAAAH!) - When I Grow Up Im almost 39 years old, and Ive never had my own office before. Oh sure, I had a small desk in my childhood bedroomand my dorm roomand my adult apartments.  But the desk and the computer were always pushed to the corner, hoping to be unnoticeable in the midst of  a room that was primarily meant for a different living space. In our last apartment, I claimed the entire L of our living room for 4.5 years until Ramona came along. Then we put walls up and made that her nursery, and hacked an Ikea bookcase to become a desk in the corner of our living room. I hated working there. Instead, a lap desk on my bed and the coffee shop a few blocks away became my office. I didnt care for  that, either. But now, theres a house. And the house had a front room that was just off the living room. And that room had beautiful white shutters and lots of light. And while there wasnt a door there, I knew we could build one. And while I didnt have a clue as to how to decorate it, I hired someone to help me. And over the course of the 2ish months that weve been here, this room-off-the-living-room is my very. first. office. Once we brought in most of the furniture and unpacked most of the boxes, Ramona (wholl be two and a half next week) came in and remarked, Ooh, I like this now! Me too, my love. Me too. So, what is it like to have a room of my own? I finally have a  sanctuary. Finally, a space that feels sacred and special, full of positivity, light, and the juju I need to be at peace while I work.  Anything thats here is here because it makes me happy. That feels unprecedented. I finally have a  creative home. Its here that I take out the colored pencils  to fill in my sacred business binder. Its here where I belt out my favorite show tunes while nobodys home, knowing I wont bother the neighbors. Its here where I play my ukulele and write and daydream. Its here where I can unroll my yoga mat and do my flow. I finally have a  safe space. I know that, when Im here, everything is safe. My coaching calls are safe. My time is safe. My energy is safe.  I  am safe. I finally have a  focus zone. Now that the room is pretty much set up, my mind is at rest. Because I dont see the dishes in the sink or the DVR turning on (Judge Judy from 4-5pm, always!), or how many coats are flung over our couch, I can concentrate. The only exception is when my babys home and awake, and then I have to resist the urge to soothe her cries or give in to her request to Open, Mommy. Its hard, but I give hugs and tell her Mommy has to work and then all is usually well. Because of this space I can call my own, I am finally, officially, home. Do you have a space to work, create, and/or play? Id love to see it! Link to photos in the comments, or tell me where this spot is for you and what difference its made in your career. And if I could go back in time, Id claim a nook or closet  as a space of my own much, much sooner! Make sure you do this for yourself ASAP. ?? Credits: Rugs from West Elm; setee and nesting tables and bookcase from Overstock; chair from Amazon; pillow from Society6; desk from Etsy; artwork from Emily McDowell, Jessica Swift, Laura Berger, Artsyville, Kate Townley Smith, and Tiffany Han. Those Hamilton and Rent playbills are signed, mo fos. If you want specific links, let me know and Ill get em to ya!