On movement
Overcoming creative hurdles one step at a time
A couple of weeks ago, I got a standing desk. I recently dropped my membership to my coworking space, realizing that I wasn’t focusing there as much as I had been previously. I also wanted to get back in the habit of exploring coffee shops around the city, and not being tied to a subscription to one location would allow me to be a bit more flexible with that. I haven’t started exploring new coffee places again, but that’s besides the point.
After a few weeks of working from my preferred home working location—my couch—I started to feel the effects of bad posture and sitting cross-legged on my 33-year old body. Yes, I’ll admit 33 is not old, but sitting slumped on the couch with my legs crossed has a different impact on my skeleton than it did when I would spend hours on the couches of the Puget Sound library.
I have written about how I’ve never liked sitting at a desk, and that remains true. But I realized that sitting at my couch will not be sustainable for longterm working from home life. So, I got a standing desk attachment a couple of weeks ago.
The first day I used it, I already felt better. I was standing taller, my posture was better, and I was more engaged in what I was doing. Sure, my ankle swelled a little from standing on it too much as it is wont to do after I sprained it last August, but for the most part, my body started feeling better and more in alignment.
That change was nothing compared to the awesome addition of adding a walking pad below my desk. I tried to add a below desk exercise toy during the pandemic, opting for a pedal bike/elliptical thing. I’ve never been a fan of an elliptical or a bike, so I don’t know why I thought I would suddenly start to enjoy pedaling during our weekly stand-ups. I did not. I have had the pedal thing for 2 years and it has collected more dust than steps in that time.
Encouraged by some friends who have recently added the walking pad to their routines, I decided to try it. Today was my first day walking and working, and it is a game changer. Anyone who knows my storied coordination abilities (read: sarcasm) would be skeptical of my ability to walk and type at the same time, but I am here to announce it was not as hard as I thought. Once I figured out the feel of the keyboard and walking, it was quite easy to compose emails and get my steps in. I even worked up a bit of a sweat during our team meeting today.
But the best part was what it did for my thought processes. I often hit a mid-day slump after sitting and forgetting to take stretch breaks as much as I should. Because I was walking, my blood was circulating, and I didn’t get tired in the middle of the day. And, I was having an easier time concentrating on tasks and coming up with creative solutions to roadblocks. When I did decide to sit and work later in the afternoon, I noticed I was still more alert because I had already spent the morning moving.
I am not moving fast, but I don’t have to be. Just taking the day step by step put me in a better mood. It was a good reminder that a little movement can lead to a change of perspective—more energy, more alignment (in more ways than one), and more creativity. I am excited to keep moving through my days—one step at a time.
Ten Things This Week
If I have convinced you on the walking pad, this is the one I got and it gets the job done.
This is the standing desk converter I got from my neighborhood buy nothing group. It doesn’t have bells and whistles, but it is stable enough for a laptop and monitor.
Shameless Promo moment: Best Line/Worst Line launched a Patreon! I love making this podcast with my dear friend Jessica. And now, we’ve added a Disney Edition with our good friend Adam. Please check it out!
Abbott Elementary strikes again.
As I am now in an acting class, I have taken to reading plays. This week, I’m working through Neil LaBute’s In a Forest Dark and Deep, and I’m really enjoying it.
I’ve also really enjoyed JP Shanley’s Danny and the Deep Blue Sea.
Tig Notaro’s new special Hello, Again is fantastic.
I spent last weekend in Santa Barbara with my dad, and we ventured to Solvang for part of a day. It was a delight, and I highly recommend stopping at Birkholm’s Bakery and Cafe for tasty Danishes if you’re in the area.
We also went to Los Olivos, which is literally all wine tasting rooms. The Carhartt Winery has a lovely back patio and delicious wines.
Cowboy Carter drops tomorrow.
That’s it for now!
— Melanie