I haven’t left the house in five days. For some folks, I know that can conjure feelings of claustrophobia. Feeling stuck or trapped or hemmed in. But as I sit in my home, watching the thin snow solidify into a dangerously slick pack of ice, I’m feeling grateful for this pause.
If you’ve read my more recent posts, then you know 2023 was a rather trying year for us. There were a lot ups and downs, with very high highs and the lowest of lows. And I’ll be honest – this is my first year in a LONG time where I didn’t have at least a week off at the holidays. With both Christmas and New Years falling on my normal weekend, I was feeling more than a little toasty rolling into 2024.
But, this arctic storm has brought a sort of relief. Five unexpected and uninterrupted days off. I’ve played hours of video games – both Horizon Forbidden West and Baldur’s Gate III – I’ve made progress in catching up on posting Top Shelf Librarians episodes, and I even finished the rough draft of a new short story. I’ve also read a little bit of several things in between long sessions of reading my novel in preparation for the next round of revisions.
I’d say it’s been a rather glorious span of days “stuck” at home. I’m feeling rested and peaceful and balanced. And ready to dive back into this book.
Last weekend, before the ice storm, Trevor and I put up another bookshelf in my office. I cleaned the whole space top to bottom, and reorganized some shelves and my desk. The room was a mess of things that had been flung there haphazardly when the house was under construction. And between unpacking the kitchen and living room, a new job, and finishing the book, clearing out the office took a backseat.
But, I knew it needed done. I truly believe that our spaces reflect our psyches. That the state of a room can be symbolic for our relationship to the purpose it serves (my messy kitchen probably says a lot about my less-than-stellar relationship with food, for instance). And a cluttered office that constantly reminded me of the hardships of last year, was not the space to revise this book in. I need a clean slate, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
So, the room is clean and by far the most peaceful space in the house. There are ten plants in this one room. They bring nature indoors and also help clean the air. I think they are a very big part of why this room feels so clear and refreshing.
There are ten sources of light (all ambient save for the glaring overhead light I only use during video calls) so I can adjust and personalize the brightness for any project or mood.
I have an oil diffuser set up without any fragrance, to offer humidity for the plants and a pleasant fountain-like noise to the space. It’s been very soothing so far.
There are knick-knacks and bric-a-brac galore, all my most favorite things to make me smile. And there’s a rug for the dog at the foot of a chair either for guests or a cozy reading session. And of course, there are books. So many books.
In short, it’s the perfect place to bring another one into the world.
And that’s the update, the look at what’s happening in these frigid, icy days. An impressive balance of work and rest, and a healthy dose of reflection and gratitude. I hope, wherever you are, you’re safe and cozy too.
Until next time Bloggos,
BZ
