13 Comments

I always have several books going. It started in high school when I worked at the public library, and now it's mostly about having the right book for my mood/energy.

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Yes, same. I usually have one engrossing or “fun” book (often fiction), and at least one non-fiction going. Sometimes an audiobook, but they’re not my favorite.

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I am most creative in the late morning and early afternoons or late at night (but late at night is when I am more of a receiver of ideas rather than a creative) and it is a painful pattern to live with since I work 8-4 Monday to Friday so I only really have weekends to work with my natural rhythm.

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Maybe that's why the greatest and most gifted writers were broke most of their lives. They were creating 8-4, Monday through Friday.

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I wouldn't doubt it! Mind you that kind of lifestyle is almost impossible to uphold anymore with the cost of living so you really have to take the mantra of "starving artist" to heart.

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Yeah, it really does take some difficult compromise to make it work, although I think artists have a lot of advantages today too (mainly direct access to an audience).

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There ups and downs to everything and every period of time that it all sort of evens out in one way or another that's for sure. Having a direct rapport with people who are interested in what you do is definitely a modern luxury no doubt.

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One of the great gifts of retirement is being able to fully explore one’s relationship with time, productivity and creativity. And people approach this in so many different ways. I always ask other retired persons how they actually spend their day to days,, just because I am curious about this. It’s interesting that most people respond a little defensively at first, until I assure them that I have no expectations re how we “should” spend our time!

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There is so much to chew on in this newsletter. Sectioning our day into buckets, managing energy instead of time and just creating a pattern that works for each of us and our individual circumstances. I work in HR (for my husband's company, so I take liberties with my time) and I bounce between that and sewing, but there are other creative pursuits I'm putting on the back burner because they need more exclusive energy than serging seams together and then answering emails. I'm curious, Sarai, if the working in PJs thing hinders or helps you? No judgment here, but I do have opinions.

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It depends. It allows me to start my focused, creative work as early as possible, so that’s important to me. I take a break around 9 to shower and get dressed, so I’m presentable by the time I start working with other people.

When I’m writing or digging into something that takes focus, I prefer to feel as comfy and cozy as possible. It relaxes my mind.

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Yeah, the early riser component does make a difference whether or not to stay in PJs, even if it's just a time issue. That makes sense.

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I'm not Sarai, but also have opinions, and I'd love to hear yours!

It seems to me that PJs are a pretty powerful cue, but it triggers different responses in different people. I know people who love getting dressed for work, and find that it helps them feel more professional and shift gears between work and not work. I'm in the other camp: starting work in my PJs makes me feel like a hotshot with autonomy, which is my favorite way to feel while I'm working. I have a dedicated office room, so just being in that space helps me shift gears.

It also helps me get started earlier in my day - I take care of the cat and make coffee, work for a bit, have breakfast, work some more, get dressed, work some more, etc. By the time my day is officially "started", I've already gotten some stuff done and built momentum.

I feel the same way about the "make your bed" advice. I know people who find it really helpful, but to me it just feels like busywork. (Also my cat likes to curl up on the pile of blankets, and that is just too cute.)

Anyway, I'd love to hear your opinion on this too.

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I'm more in the camp of loving to get dressed for work-it makes me feel confident and powerful. But now that I work from home, I have found myself in the PJ camp for hours and although I get work done, at some point I realize and hate myself for it (I'm dramatic with words-not true hate).

I also agree with the make your bed advice, but in reality I only do it when people are coming over. I go through little spurts of doing it just for me and it feels really good.

Putting your thoughts together with Sarai's leads me to believe that when your job entails projects by yourself, the PJ thing can be positive. However, even with a camera off, I feel like if we are semi-put together, we will present/cooperate/etc. better with our colleagues.

I don't know-maybe I just need better pajamas?

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