writing studio

A Sneak Peek Inside My Writing Cottage. Per Request.

IMG_1682 1200After my post yesterday where I shared a shot of the outside of my writing cottage and wrote about what my cottage means to me, I had some requests from others to see the inside. I also had someone ask what size it is. It is 10 x 12.

This morning I took some new shots, as things tend to change and move around in my cottage from time to time. This is part of my creative side that likes to rearrange.  Before you take a little picture stroll through my cottage, I wanted to share how I got my cottage, which I didn’t share yesterday, though I have shared in the past. But for those new to my blog I’m happy to share again.

When I was working in the corporate world full time, I always wanted a little sports car. A Mitsubishi 3000 GT to be exact.  Well, the day came when I could afford one and was so excited when I got my red, fast car. You see, for so many years I thought my sports car defined who I was. I got hooked into what society deems as “success.” As I went through my transition of really wondering what life is all about, suddenly that sports car didn’t mean as much to me anymore. I wanted my freedom and the freedom to be me.

I knew I wanted this writing cottage. But I couldn’t have both my car and this space. Also it’s important to point out that my car wasn’t worth all that much in terms of dollars. But it got me a nice little chunk of change to help pay for some of the materials for my cottage.  The value for me now comes from being my authentic self and not feeling pressured to live by societal “rules” as to what defines a person as successful.  This space defines who I am and supports who I am more than a silly car ever could.

I also think it’s important to point out that even if you can’t have a space such as mine, there are ways in which you can set aside a “room (or space) of one’s own” which I think is so important to feed our souls.  Perhaps a small room in your home- or a corner of a room. Perhaps it is an altar with some of your favorite things that encourage your creativity. For a summer I had a screen room set up on our deck which I decorated with a table and chair and would sit with my laptop on my lap as I wrote.

Now on with the tour. I hope you enjoy and I hope it inspires you to follow your heart’s desire…

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What My Writing Cottage Means to Me

separate-sunroom-630x420When I began what I call my spiritual awakening back in 2000, I never imagined I’d have this darling little space of my own.  After going through some life coaching in 2005, I decided I wanted to write and write about dogs in particular, but also about the human-animal bond and what animals teach us. It is amazing how that has morphed over the years.

From my love of animals, writing, and Frankie becoming paralyzed and ending up in a dog wheelchair, I grew in ways I never imagined. My little writing cottage has always been a  place to come to and center myself, or find encouragement from the whispers of my heart.  Though I call it my writing cottage, it is so much more to me. Yes, I write and blog here within this space. But I also sit and ponder, read, have tea or wine with friends, learn from webinars and seminars, and last but certainly not least, cuddle with Joie.

My cottage is just ten short steps from my bedroom patio door and across the deck. Most days I arrive to my periwinkle and lime green screen door by 9:00 am.  Joie tucked under one arm and my large glass of water or cup of tea in the other.

Each and every time I’ve opened my cottage door, no matter the season and no matter what is going on in my life, I feel this warm hug from this space that welcomes me. Accepts me for who I am. Never tires of my endless head chatter. Supports my hopes and dreams.

In the summer the birds sing up a storm for most of the day- a radio station like no other.  Or a Robin splashes away in the bird bath right outside my screen door. Then there is the buzz of hummingbirds as they flit back and forth from the feeder to the birch tree’s next to my cottage.

In the fall, I am surrounded by the colors of warm yellow and orange as all the trees around me begin to change. Looking out my window’s on fall days can sometimes bring me to tears. It is so gloriously beautiful it often takes my breath away.

In winter my petite gas stove keeps me warm.  The first snow fall is always pure delight as I watch the flakes fall so gracefully outside my window. Snuggled in my cottage I feel safe and secure.  Then comes spring once again, and the rain showers wash away any signs of winter. The flowers in my little garden outside my window begin to bud, along with the tree’s. New life begins once again, as new projects, ideas, writing, hopes and dreams emerge for me too.

My favorite thing about my writing cottage is that it was built by the strong hands of the one I love so dearly- my husband, John. Not only did he build this beautiful place for me, but he understood what this space would mean for me as a woman following her heart.

Each evening as I close the door behind me, Joie tucked once again under my arm, I take the ten steps back to the patio door and enter my home with my soul fed and feeling so blessed for all that I have.

Every Woman Should Have Their Own Little Piece of Heaven

I was moved by a recent blog post by artist, Maria Wulf and how she felt when she was cleaning out a barn to make it into her artists studio.  She said, “It wasn’t just that I had a space of my own to work in when I chose to and to do with exactly as I pleased.  It was as if I was finding a part of myself that had been hidden, even from me, my whole life.  It seemed I had tucked the artist I was, safely away in a deep pocket within me and now it was re-emerging.  My whole life I had given pieces of myself away, and moving into the Studio Barn was my first step in becoming whole again.”

I could relate to every word of what she said. I experienced this same thing when my husband built my 10 x 12 studio for me a few years back. I had gone through almost three months of life coaching before that, discovering myself and realizing that I was entitled to live a joyful life. Keeping myself front and center can take work at times, but my studio is always my reminder. It helps to keep me balanced and believing in myself and my dreams. It gives me strength to keep being who I am. It reminds me that self-care is so important. When I take care of me, I can give my best to those around me.

Every woman should have their own little piece of heaven. Maybe you can’t have a whole room, but make a corner in a room somewhere that is all yours. Fill it with things that make you smile and things that you love. Just sit and be in the space even if it is only once a day and only for five minutes.

My studio is filled with all things that make me smile. Most of it found through second hand shops. I love to shop at thrift stores! Even though I do the majority of my work in my studio, it is also the place I seek silent refuge from the outside world. A place I come and just sit and be grateful for all my many blessings. A place I hug Frankie close… just us girls.

Do you have a space of your own?  I’d love to hear about it. If not, get started right away and create your very own piece of heaven. You won’t regret it… I promise.

PS:  My studio is named MySpace.Calm. Wish I could take credit for it, but my hubby, John actually came up with the name. I’ll never forget when he said this is what I should name my studio. I realized in that moment that he truly understood how important this was to me. What a nicely added bonus. 😉