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I have been a bit out of sorts these days, seeking a little thing called balance. I would like to share some thoughts with you here, since we have known each other for some time now. I think it's time to get personal a bit. Here we go.
Since my husband P and I relocated to Germany from Canada, life has been quite exciting. I've acquired a new language (still in the process, ha!), adapted to a new culture and am adjusting to life away from family and friends. As if that wasn't exciting enough, P and I have both changed our career paths during this time. He went from a vague path in architecture studies to fulfilling his childhood dream of being a pilot. I went from a psychology graduate with a specialization in neuroscience to interior design consultant, writer, blogger. We are very happy about our decisions. That's not to say it wasn't hard to change directions in a new environment. We've overcome many challenges and there are many more to come, I'm sure. I'm also sure many of you can relate as well.
I am enjoying my work a lot. Everyday involves research and discovery and writing about things related to interior design - something I am quite passionate about. Everyday I am meeting new and inspiring people via this wonderful blog-o-sphere I have recently become a part of. I get to share my knowledge with clients and through consultations. I also acquire new knowledge everyday - which is great because sharing and life-long learning are things I value very much. That my job allows this is a truly wonderful thing. As a freelancer, I also love the amount of control I have over my work and the flexibility that comes along with it. Since I do most of my work online, I am not really limited to a specific geographical location either. Which is the founding concept behind HvH Interiors - my focus is to provide interior e-design services to anyone, anywhere.
But too much openness, too much flexibility, too much of anything really is not good. And this is what I have been struggling with these days - the lack of structure in my life at the moment.
As much as I have loved working from home and sometimes from cute cafes, I couldn't do it any longer. Something wasn't right. I wasn't being as productive as I wanted and that was making me upset. Consequently, it was interfering with the joy my work brings me. I was feeling lonely and isolated at home all day. So I went out to cafes more often. But even though I was surrounded by people and activity, ultimately I was still alone. I couldn't leave my computer and all my stuff unattended at a cafe table and go outside for a little break, a walk, a change of ideas for a moment. I couldn't really turn to my neighbour and say, "Hey, what's going on? What are you up to today?" People would think I was a bit nutty ... maybe. However,I do believe people are lonelier than they seem, so some may have appreciated that. Anyways...
As an interior designer, someone who values the effectiveness of our environments, I felt it was time to look for a different environment. I started looking for shared work spaces where I could potentially rent a desk for a month. Berlin is full of these "co-working" spaces so it didn't take long to find the perfect little spot. It's a small, charming office. The people I work along side are very nice and we share the same working lifestyle of freelance creatives. I can't say how happy I am here in my new environment. Here's a little sneak peak.
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| via my Instagram |
See my desk there on the left hand corner? I am directly facing a big window at street level, so I have a wonderful view. I have one person behind me and two other desks on my right. Fantastich, oder?
So yes, I am happy with this arrangement. I have a designated place to work, where I can focus. However, if I like, I have the freedom of staying home and working from the coziness of my sofa - because that's so nice too sometimes. But I've learned that for me, it's only nice when there is an alternative. I need balance. I don't like to be one way or other; I like to have options so that I may always create this balance for myself. And I don't only have this philosophy when it comes to my work, but I also like to apply it to my personal life as well. And I can tell you, I am looking forward to a time when that will be a little more balanced too. Right now, due to the nature of P's studies, we are spending a lot of time apart, we are moving around a lot, we don't know where we will be settling in the near future; life is kind of up in the air. And while I realize that this can be and ultimately is fun, I am looking forward to a little more stability ... not too much though, but just enough ;)
If you've read this far along, thank you for taking the time to read my rant. Can you relate to some of what I've been talking about? Please do feel free to share some of your own ideas and experiences, I do love to hear your stories too.
But wait...
The day would not be compete without a little interior design inspiration, you say? You are right. So I leave you, appropriately, with some lovely images of office spaces.
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| image by my lovely friend Iro - from Domestic Stories with Ivy |
Have a great day. Bis bald.
Xx.
Oh dear... I don't know where to start... I feel I have so much to tell and share with you... in fact I' ve read the post since this afternoon and decided to return later when my thoughts would have stopped rushing and would save you form one essay of mine here.
ReplyDeleteAnd now here am I and I honestly don't know where to start & want so much to avoid sounding like a preacher or anything similar.
So, I'll just limit myself for the time being to a very big thank you for including our little office corner among such amazing spaces. It actually helps a lot into realizing that our new space might be more of what I wished and need right now than what I originally thought.
The process will show.
I promise to talk about the subject of balance with you when we meet... or perhaps when I manage to organize & minimize my thoughts, I'll return here.
It is late and signs of this unwelcome virus are so much more evident... good night sweet lady, may your dreams be sweet & bright, xo
Holly, what a great post? Why do you feel it is too personal? Not at all. I believe that our blogs are insights to our souls, and as much as I love some interior inspiration, I get quite bored of that as well. I am much more interested in the wholeness of the blogger, warts and all. I'm so glad we met.
ReplyDeleteNow, as a seasoned freelancer I can identify with everything you say about working alone. I used to feel like that often when I was renting, but now, since buying my flat and designing the interior I feel differently. I sometimes toy with the idea of shared spaces but then went for a private members club that's full of creatives. I call it my 'home from home' and probably visit 2-3 times a week. I used to get very lonely but am less so now. It takes time, courage and patience. You are tackling many new areas. Career changes, home changes. City changes. That's tough. Please don't give yourself a hard time but carry on sharing here on your blog. You'll be surprised at the encouragement and support. X
Iro, Tina, you ladies are just so lovely ;) Thank you for your nice comments - so appreciated. I think I always knew there would come a time when tidbits of my personal life would creep it's way onto the blog - I wanted that. But I was waiting for it to happen organically, naturally. And so I guess, this was the post. :)
ReplyDeleteI know this issue of where to work among freelancers is quite often discussed. It's a real issue, and everyone must find the solution that is right for them. For me, for now, this shared office space is just right.
Tina, I imagine that in the future, I would like to do it as you do - go into the office part time and the rest from my home - my more permanent home that I will feel more attached to. You are so right on point about this real home vs temporary home feeling. I think I didn't realize I knew that until you said it and I think it does affect how I feel when I work from "home". Thank you for your words and your support.
Happy Friday Xx.
Hey sweety, I adore the desk chair in the second from bottom image... gorgeous! happy Friday lovely. have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteStu xx
http://whatwilsonwants.blogspot.com/
Hi Holly,
ReplyDeleteWell I can certainly relate to so much of what you say... and it's definitely not a rant. I think it's lovely of you to share your experience and I do agree that getting personal is good - it adds much depth and character to a blog and the blogger. Finding a shared workspace is definitely a great thing to do when working alone. I can relate and love the workspace that I've found in London (http://club.workspacegroup.co.uk/). It's not that I always have conversations with people when I'm there, but it's good being around others who are like-minded and more free-spirited as it were. And I feel more energised. I hope your new space works out for you!
I love that first office space image. It's very Nordic.
Take care.
Gerard xx
Holly I like your writing style sooo much, it's natural and lovely :D Actually, I've changed the place where I'm studing. Now I'm wondering Cracow - the amazing, charming city!! Full of magic, beauty, history! And full of great, creative, openmind people:) Falling in love in Cracow UND with Cracow is absolutely awesome:DD So as you can see I'm very happy:)))))))))))
ReplyDeleteI must confess your new workplace is really cute:)))) Love it!!
XOXO
lafle
P.S.and like always: sorry about my Eng.;DD
@ Stuart: I know, that chair is AMAZING! Plus the cool blue light of the image really brings it out somehow.
ReplyDelete@Gerard: It's amazing how much more work I've been doing since being there. I'm faster, more efficient and I have to make myself leave, lol. I'm sure this has a lot to do with the novelty of the situation. Still, I feel like I've taken my happiness in my own hands by making this decision - do you feel like that too?
@ Lafle: You are falling in love IN and WITH Cracow!? I am sooooo happy to hear this. Cracow is definitely on my list of places to visit (especially ever since you linked me to that super cool cafe, remember?) - you can expect a message when I come ;) Your English is super! Keep it up.
Thank you all for your comments Xx.
Thank you so much, Holly, for your suggestion on our blog. I sat down now after a really really hard day (we worked on the cover for sisterMAG) and just took my time to read your article. Very very very true! I can totally relate to a lot of things you say! I usually like the instability of my life. For quite a while now I've been travelling back and forth between Berlin, Leipzig, my hometown Freiberg and sometimes even London. In each place I wanted to stay but on the other hand something drove me to go away again. But at the same time I also had to be productive: first dissertation and sisterMAG, now fulltime concentration on our first issue. In the beginning I LOVED going to cafés and felt like in the middle of a city's life. But the points you've written are so true: in the end you feel quite alone and it is just ennoying if you can never leave the space. Furthermore I always felt like I was carrying around my whole life in an insanely large bag.
ReplyDeleteI probably continue on with this life but especially my last visit to London in Dthe beginning of this month has really taught me to appreciate my own flat and appartment in Leipzig. If our project ever really works, I will definitely look into hiring a desk – it is great we now have the opportunity to do something like that.
Thank you again for your article! I hope you are well and happy in your new space! In which part of Berlin is it? Have a wonderful night and hope to hear from you soon. The flyer is on its way to you!
Yours, Theresa
@ Theresa: Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! It's true also what you say about carrying your life around in a bag - it does become quite annoying. My little desk is in a small shared office in Friedrichshain :) A bit far from where I'm staying but definitely worth the trip. I got the flyer, btw! It's even prettier in person! My mother in law was very interested about your concept and I told her all about you sisters and your soon to be released magazine. I am looking forward to some of those press materials on the 18th and writing here about it. Anticipation and excitement is really building up. Again, best of luck on the home stretch :) Xx.
ReplyDeleteWe're so happy that you found us Holly!
ReplyDelete@ Johanna: Me too!!
ReplyDeleteHolly, I feel EXACTLY this way! It's like I'm in the same situation as you. So glad I came across this post! What a great office space you have...I might look into something like that.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny how we meet people who are in similar situations! Chance? Perhaps. But maybe not. I don't believe in chance and luck so much. The law of attraction makes it so that we encounter what we project. So I'm happy we met and can relate to each other :)
DeleteDo look into a shared workspace. I find it such a nice concept. Artist studios must be even more fun!
Xx.
That cabin office looking out into the woods is just perfect. You won't have to go far to get a short relaxing break from work. All you have to do is raise your head.
ReplyDelete