Cat's Corner
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After two years holed up at home (thanks, Covid), I'm sprucing up my writing room. My creation station isn’t fancy or budget-breaking, but it works for me. I repurpose furniture. Surround myself with tech gadgets, old-timey treasures, and stuff that makes me happy and productive.
Hey, want to see where I'm writing my rom com? Perhaps you'll find an idea for your creation station, too. Don’t be shy! Come on in and have a look around at my writing room. 
1. Ace Your Space
If a trainstation is where the train stops, what's a workstation? —Author Unknown You don't need to spend tons of money on your creation station. I repurpose whatever I have on hand for an eclectic mix that brings me joy.
My writing room is a converted guest bedroom in our cozy yellow cottage. The room is anchored by the 20-yo, L-shaped desk my employer provided when I worked remotely in a high-tech firm.
Cat's Creation Station
A 1960s maple hutch picked up at an estate sale displays family photos and stuffies that remind me of my children’s book characters. The cabinet's double doors hide messy computer cables, printer paper and office supplies. I cover my walls with whatever suits my fancy:
2. Tools of the Trade Thank you, paper clips, for not being like staples that can't commit. — Jimmy Fallon
Wherever your space, splurge as much as you can to fill it with tools of your trade. I love my trusty 2013 MacBook Pro. It's paired with dual screen monitors, Bluetooth keyboard and mouse that make book formatting, graphics and editing a breeze.
Best, I can take my creation station anywhere just by unplugging my laptop. 
Mountainside creation station - Marion, NC
Having an ergonomic work station is super-important. 
Years ago, I developed a repetitive motion injury from long hours of writing. I'm better now after therapy and torturous steroid injections. That's why I have a customized ergonomic keyboard tray to keep me pain-free. An inexpensive bamboo stand from Amazon raises my monitor to the proper height to prevent neck and shoulder strain.
3. Playlist
Music brings a warm glow to my vision, thawing mind and muscle from their endless wintering. -- Haruki Murakami Can you work when it's quiet? I can't. I need sound. Soft background music. Nothing loud. Never distracting song lyrics. Orchestral movie scores make up my playlists. Scores from composers like John Williams, James Horner and Michael Giacchino over YouTube and Apple Music pump me up every time.
4. Room with a View There’s a world out there. Open a window, and it’s there. — Robin Williams 
Tall windows fill my creation station with light and glimpses of the world outside. When I want a break from writing, all I need to do is look up to ... ….keep an eye on the weather …. watch my garden in all its seasons … enjoy the parade of kids biking, running, and skipping down the sidewalk … wave at Marvin, our friendly mail carrier
5. Play Time
The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play. —Arnold Toynbee
Gotta have a playful creation station or else work is, well, too much like work.
My collection of happy things started decades ago when Mama gifted me a Star Trek action figure. Since then, I've added more.
An old-timey printer's tray rescued from a salvage yard is filled with print blocks from back in the day and teeny treasures from Mama's stash. They're paired with Great-grandma Belle, who watches me from her horse and buggy. Love that she was a 'modern' woman in the late 1800s, who drove her own carriage! 
Top to Bottom: Great-Grandma looks down on old-timey printer's tray
6. People Who Need People Stages of working from home: Yay I get to work from home. It would be nice to talk to people. I hope that pigeon sits in the window today. – Mark Agee  Bookcase/workout station
As much as you love your creation station and its flexibility, you'll want to find ways to connect with other humans. My creation station does just that.
Like most of the world, I felt lonely and isolated during Covid. I’m grateful for the Zooms, Meets and Facebook Rooms that kept me connected with family and friends. Hooray for virtual workout classes (and my bookcase for doubling as an exercise station)!
Thanks for your company on my writing journey!
Over to You
It doesn't matter if you work in a palace or a broom closet.
The trick is to make the most of your space and have fun with it, 
Photo: Creative use of space, by Mari Mileham, Twitter - May 2021
Where's your workspace or home happy place? *** What do you like most about it? *** What tips do you have for making the most of a creation station? *** I'm always looking for ways to make my space better, and I'd love to hear your ideas. Please share in the comment section. 
16 Comments
maria
2/28/2022 08:59:12 am
I enjoyed reading your ideas for a creative space. I noticed throughout the years my creative space tends to be less is more environment like a window view and my laptop. I use to like to have the TV running, but not any more.
Cat Michaels
2/28/2022 01:40:24 pm
Hey, Maria, I am with you about having a view. Hub likes his quiet space against the wall, but that would drive me crazy. Laptops are great for getting the best views.
Cat Michaels
2/28/2022 01:46:19 pm
I’m tempted to pack away my action figures, Sara, but as long as they keep me happy, they’re staying put. We’re in our creation stations for hours at a time and gotta make ‘em work for us, Thanks for visiting mine!
Cat Michaels
2/28/2022 01:50:50 pm
Haopy spring to you, Kippi! (I am watching daffodils shoot up from my office window as I write this,) Covid isolation has been tough, and it motivated me to notch up my writing room. Good luck with your makeover! Knowing your creative crafting skills, I’d love to hear how it turns out. 2/28/2022 11:10:26 am
I would definitely like a better view in my creative space. I'm overlooking the back deck and it's cold out! LOL
Cat Michaels
2/28/2022 01:37:35 pm
Susan, I know what you mean about the view! I don’t have mountains or beautiful scenery, but it’s fun to look out on the hood and garden to see what’s happening. I hope springtime brings warmer views of your deck. maybe a few planters there, too?!? 2/28/2022 12:56:24 pm
That's the perfect writing room. I especially like the family photos from the 1800's. Also, say hi to Melvin.... what a perfect name for a mailperson.
Cat Michaels
2/28/2022 01:35:11 pm
Brooke, Melvin is our neighborhood rock star, especially with his dedication to deliver packages during Covid. We feel lucky those old family portraits survived and having my peeps looking over my shoulder as I write! 3/1/2022 10:14:17 am
Great writing space, Cat! I enjoyed looking at all your treasures that keep you happy.
Cat Michaels
3/1/2022 06:02:57 pm
I feel lucky to have a space to write, Rosie! It was my refuge during covid when I couldn’t get out of the house. 3/4/2022 12:09:42 pm
Love your view out the window. My writing space is currently in a corner of my bedroom. It works fine, but your creation station has me thinking about dedicating a room to my writing in my next home. Thanks for sharing. Definitely inspiring!
Cat Michaels
3/5/2022 10:43:45 pm
Have fun creating creating your work space, Julie. I feel lucky to have a dedicated home office, and it’s made all the inference, 3/5/2022 07:33:45 pm
Love your writing space. It looks so cozy. I don't have one yet that I really enjoy. I used to write on my couch but my back didn't like that. Would love a room with a view.
Cat Michaels
3/5/2022 10:50:15 pm
The couch is another good writing space -:D. I add a few pillows to mine to plump it up. I hope you soon find your creation station with a view, Auden. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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 Cat MichaelsBlogging about books, writing, family life, travel and more good stuff. Meet Cat
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