This Stephen Leacock quote resonates deep within today as I work at sitting down to write. My family and I were away for the weekend and besides laundry, yard work, organizing a new calendar, meditating, running and daily chores, I have my daily writing work to do.
Although I love writing and know that I am a writer, it is hard work for me, always. Like my friend Annie says, “This has nothing to do with any kind of the fictitious creation commonly referred to as writer’s block—there is always a floodgate of thoughts…but simply the effort and discipline required” that can be daunting.
I am a disciplined person in most everything that I do, which causes me to schedule in my writing and at fifty years of age, presently am fortunate to be able to treat writing as a full-time job. I value the friends and relatives that understand this about me, not disturbing me during the day when I am at work. There are some people who have been told and they completely respect this time of mine and yet others who still phone me during my time at work, drop by my home or ask me to run errands for them, because after all, I am at home. One friend suggested that I lock the doors. I smiled warmly because the entryway that houses my cathedral style windows and keeps me bathed in sunlight, where I sit to write, has a front door with windows as well as a back door. I would not be able to hide. And the thing is, I don’t want to hide. I want to be honoured and respected for the work that I am doing. And so I pause to think… why have I invited this in? Am I not honouring someone’s work? I invite you to enter in to this discussion with me about your work be it writing or otherwise.
…Ellyn
Some days it seems I have the opposite problem ... that work is brought to me when I'm not in my workspace. Honestly, most times this is just fine, I enjoy helping people but occasionally it crosses a line. I've been at social gatherings and been asked to put on my "work hat" which completely jolts me out of the relaxing atmosphere I was enjoying.
ReplyDeleteOn the flip side, I often have people drop by to chat when I am at work. Questions about the various committees I'm a part of, discussions about the kids sports or even just to plan a lunch date. Sometimes that's fine ... other times I'm just far too busy to enter into an exchange ... and all(well most) respect that.
I don't believe that I am alone in the above scenarios -- I've seen teachers being asked about sensitive happenings at school while they are watching their kids play ball and many times planning for community events/projects are discussed at workplaces. I think it's part of the culture of where we live ... the lines between work and home, private and public, and all the different roles we play in our lives are blurred.
I'm sure this is heightened by the fact that you are working at home, but maybe it's just that people don't understand why this situation is different than the others they encounter daily?
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Penny and I appreciate your response.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you have invoked in me another way to think through this.
Thanks again.
...Ellyn