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.
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.
Have a great day. Bis bald.
Xx.
