Working Is Easier When You Love Where You Are

Environment is everything. It impacts how we feel, the way we work, and even how productive we are. I've learned this the hard way: from a series of less than ideal living situations that negatively affected me in many ways, only to make me appreciate my current environment that much more. 

Let me take you back. After graduating from high school, I moved to the Twin Cities to attend a private college. Even though my roommates were amazing, living in such close quarters with 3 other girls in a big city, which has never been my thing anyway, was pretty terrible. Then I transferred schools and moved in with my boyfriend and his parents. He traveled most of the year, so at the time, it didn't make sense to pay on his own place when he was hardly there. Again, his parents were great, but that's no one's ideal situation. Next came a rental that was always meant to be short-term, even though it ended up being longer-term than we had planned. The common denominator with all these places? I couldn't or didn't want to make them my own. They were where we lived, but never our homes. Quite frankly, I was unhappy, struggling with my mental health, and altogether pretty miserable. 

Fast forward to buying the tiny home I always wanted. Because we race horses for a living, we travel all the time. So Rick and I made the decision to invest in a top-of-line Keystone Montana RV. It's portable and cheaper than a house, but offers all the amenities of a house and fits our minimalist lifestyle. It was a match made in heaven. 

A year in and we're still loving our camper life. We are truly 'happy campers.' Most importantly, I have a place to call and make "home." My mental state has dramatically improved and I love working from home now. Before we purchased our tiny house on wheels, I'd try to find a coffee shop or even a fast food restaurant to work in because those environments were preferable to where we lived. When you'd rather work from McDonald's than where you're living, there's a problem.

I've decorated our home to feel like a sanctuary when we come back to it at the end of a long day. It's cozy and comfortable. Exactly what I think a home should be. I can't wait to get back to it whenever I've been away. These days, you couldn't pay me to work somewhere other than from my couch in front of the fireplace with the windows open. It's truly my happy place. And my businesses are better because of it.

So do yourself a favor- create a space you love. You can do this easily by adding a soft throw blanket if you're going for a cozy vibe or a trendy bulletin board if you want a more professional feel. It doesn't have to be a completely separate extra room you have just hanging around your house, but develop an environment that works best for you even if it's a small nook. I, of all people, know it may not be feasible to move into your dream house this second, but make the best of where you are in this season. That's one thing I didn't make an effort to do. I just wallowed in my misery. Build an environment that makes you better and your work will follow.