Travel journaling from home

I’m in my home office. I quite literally have just landed here. And I love it.

It’s the one place in the house that is completely and entirely decorated by me. Thus, it is colorful.

I’m sitting on a fifty dollar loveseat that’s patterned in a way my husband, Joe, does not prefer. Below me is a whimsical rug spotted with a variety of dog breeds. My small book shelf opens with two glass doors like I like, and it’s topped with a card stand that twirls to reveal a long history of my favorite cards others have gifted me.

My desk is purely vintage, as is my chair. They look really nice, but the desk is too small, and my chair more cute than functional.

I feel good here. Comfortable. At home. It’s a bright, sunny space. Figuratively and literally. The sun streams in the two large windows, one illuminating my desk, and the other brightening those dogs inhabiting my whimsical rug.

I can see our backyard through the window. Sometimes a rowdy squirrel catches my eye. Mostly I see my laptop, the second monitor Joe got me for Christmas, and the sign shouting: I DON’T LIKE MORNING PEOPLE. OR MORNINGS. OR PEOPLE.

True.

I’m learning a lot about myself in this space. I’m happy here. It’s quiet, and supports solitude and flexibility. I’ve been having less anxiety, less pain, and more energy while working at home. Granted, I do sleep in later each day, but I also spend less energy managing myself, talking to people, and mitigating symptoms. All of those things I cherish and value, and was delighted to see evolve after 2-3 weeks working from home while in quarantine.

But I’ve also realized that I’m needy. I’m an introvert, but I miss people. I miss going into an office. Dressing the part, separating work from home, walking with purpose. Video chatting helps, but spending physical time with a physical person gives me difference sustenance. Surprise!

And yet it’s still shocking that I can be satisfied with very little. I’ve been cooking and baking (no, not sourdough) and reading and writing and going for walks and watching TV, and that has all felt fulfilling. It’s an interesting time to reflect on living further away from family. There are ways to connect beyond driving long distances and sitting at happy hours. Technology is powerful (duh), and I can use it even when we’re not all quarantined.

It’s helpful to know that Joe and I are enough. We genuinely love being together, and this time hasn’t felt difficult. It’s been easier to focus on each other, rest in silence together, and and not have to worry about pressures beyond us and home.

Sometimes you don’t have to leave your house to learn. But also it would be nice to leave the house.