Work-from-home became a reality for several people in America during the pandemic. The fear of the virus sent everyone scurrying into the relative safety of their homes, and soon, employees and employers alike learned to adapt to the virtual ways of the real world. A nullified commute time, along with physical presence for the children brought alive a convenience most of us imagined before 2020. The fear of the pandemic has subsided, and several offices have returned to business as usual, but the new usual for a lot of companies also involves a hybrid set-up, which means, employees commute to the physical office some days, and work-from-home some days, allowing everyone to strike a harmonious balance in their work life and personal life.
With this flexibility came a responsibility. People needed a dedicated area in their homes to work from – a place where they could focus, thus maximizing their productivity. I had been using a nook in my kitchen for this purpose, and decided to use the opportunity to convert my table and chair space into a dedicated zone where I could work in peace.
My family chipped in with labor, and we installed a few shelves on the walls to keep my files and documents. I quite enjoyed determining the height at which the shelves needed to be installed, for I am just over five feet tall, and wanted to be sure I could reach my files without needing help or ladders. The table is very old, but has remained in great condition thanks to regular cleaning. We did, however, paint the legs and covered the top with a coat of vinyl surfacing to keep the continuity of shelves intact. Sunlight pours in through the window for most of the day, and I love being able to look out during pauses in work.
I am old-school, and like to have my thoughts on paper, although I am learning the joys of working with a computer, the convenience and speed with which things can be done. I do however, insist on having a notepad and my calendar in physical form, because the notepad allows me to “see” my thoughts, and the calendar lets me see my schedule in a clearer form. I repurposed a few rattan-type boxes from my linen closet to store the old files that I don’t need often, and that’s what you see on the top shelf. I do like to have a throw handy for when there’s a slight chill in the air, but I did not relish the idea of keeping the shawl on the back of my chair because to me, an office room must be devoid of overly cozy scenes. Thus, the shawl is neatly folded and kept in a basket under the ledge by the window, out of sight, but within reach for when I need it.
We toyed with the idea of installing a cabinet to house a mini refrigerator, microwave, and printer, but then decided against it, for not having them readily at hand gives me a good excuse to get up and move around, forcing me to take the breaks I need to take, no matter how engrossed I may be in designing or planning my latest project. We are currently in the process of installing a mesh window so that fresh air can circulate in the room. Once that is done, I think I will park myself in this part of my home permanently, interacting with you all, planning my next interesting projects, looking out the window, enjoying watching the squirrels play in my garden, and the bees busy at work in summer, reminding me to be thankful for the warmth of family and friends, and the general business of life.
The Minimalist NRI 