The Five Benefits of an Office

Last week was swamped. My daughter Ariel moved out. And after we settled her in her apartment, I turned her bedroom into my office. Yeah, I know, I probably should have waited a week or two so it didn't seem like I was eager for her to move out.

The truth is that I’m really excited that she’s moving to the next phase of her life…and hey, I’ve never had an office before. The most I’ve ever had is a writing nook, a section of kitchen counter and a chair. Don’t get me wrong, it was great. It taught me to focus. You can really get a lot done when you learn to tune out the “Mom, we have nothing to eat.”

But having an office is awesome. Here are the top five benefits.

1. No distractions. The microwave isn’t running. I can’t see a pile of dishes that need to be washed. And did I mention that no one is complaining that we have nothing to eat.

2. A couch of my very own. What can I say? I lounge when I write, and I don’t have to nudge hairy teenage legs off my space.

3. Room for papers. There’s nothing as frustrating as editing when you can’t leave your stuff out for fear of getting food spilled on it. Or worse, having your pages knocked on the floor and only when you pick them up do you realize that none of the 250 pages have been numbered.

4. A bathroom. Ariel’s bedroom has an attached bathroom, which she zealously guarded from the boys. Now I see why. I love my boys, but now I don’t have to bang on the door and say, “Hurry up—we have to leave in five minutes and I haven’t done my hair or put on makeup.”

5. Security. No bored child decides to hack my computer password and insert random phrases in my novels. No longer will I snort coffee through my nose when I’m editing and read, “Mark put on a skirt and did the conga” or “Mark was so hungry he ate dirt, twigs, and pond scum—hey, mom, could you buy some good snack food?” On the other hand, I won’t find “I love you, Mom!” insert into my texts either. Hmm. Maybe I should have waited on the office.

Here's a photo.