Work from Home: Writer’s Release
Photo by Daniel Tubb
Working from home definitely has its upsides and downsides. The downsides for me can usually be fixed with a quick trip into town, a visit with friends or a big long walk, preferring the uphill kind so I can dig my heels in.
Lately, however, I’ve been finding reasons to do none of the above. Maybe it is raining too hard (I live in the mountains - rain ain’t no joke out here), or I am nervous that I’ll run into a bear stocking up for its winter rest during my walk. With the gas prices running in the upwards direction, I haven’t felt right to just hop in the car for a forty minute round trip drive just so I can go see people or get out of the house for a coffee.
So, what’s a freelancer to do?
Bake bread.
Well, that’s what I do. It may not fulfill the need to be in the presence of non-virtual people, or help me with my freelancers-butt, like a good walk can. I decided to bake bread for a bunch of practical reasons:
- It’s super easy to make
- Requires a certain level of commitment (good practice)
- It’s healthy (and still yummy)
- It’s cheap
The most predominant reason, though isn’t about how much money I am saving. The real reason is this: My dough allows me to lovingly beat the hell out of it. Lets me get out any pent-up aggression. The more I push on it, turn its insides out, and punch it right square in its fat, doughy face over and over, well, the better my loafs turn out.
The dough says, “Oh, yes… once more… ah yes, like that.”
I am a better person because of my new-found love for baking my own bread. I am more grounded, calm, centered and possibly even more satisfied with my life and with my sense of self. My writing has improved and I don’t get ants in my pants when I need to sit down and get caught up on my work.
So, why am I telling you this? Simple. Because all writers, editors, bloggers etc. need to bake their own bread: literally or figuratively - whatev. Some perform Chi Gong, yoga or go to the gym. I bake bread. It has become my aid in getting the stink out (so to speak), and, in the end, I have better focus. And my house smells good.
