Don’t get me wrong…I love my husband. He is adorable. He’s funny, intelligent and genuinely fun to be around. Unless I am trying to work – then, all of those fantastic traits can be a bit annoying.
On a positive note, I was feeling a bit of writers block tonight and his constant talking gave me a topic to write about.
“Honey…you would have loved the lunch we had today…they had the best burgers”.
“Did you notice that the movie I’ve been wanting to see is out on DVD..finally?”
“Hey – listen to the dog, he’s snoring again…he must be worn out”.
“Uh, huh…yes hon…good…snoring, huh?” I mumbled back trying by best to sound interested.
Finally, I snap. “Honey…I love you, but I am trying to work!”
Admittedly, I could go into a different room to write but I enjoy his company (when he isn’t interrupting my train of thought).
My husband isn’t the only one who does it. Last week, I went to the coffee shop to write. One of my girlfriends showed up and excitedly sat next to me. “What are you doing?” she asked. “I’m working”.
I proceeded to tell her about my various writing jobs and told her that I have to escape to the coffee shop so that I could actually get some work done away from the kids (hint..hint…). Either she didn’t hear me, or didn’t believe me because she took off her coat, put her bagel and coffee on my table and proceeded to talk my ear off. I wanted to yell, “what part of…‘I have to work’ don’t you understand?”
Perhaps people have a difficult time taking at-home jobs seriously. My husband sees my paychecks, yet I don’t blame him for finding it difficult to see beyond my slippers, flannel pajamas and ponytail and envision a career woman.
Let me apologize for not offering any solutions or tips in this post. Aside from creating a cubicle in my living room or creating a “shhh…I am trying to work” t-shirt, I am not sure how to get my friends and family members to take my career seriously.
What are your thoughts? Do you have any suggestions to get people to take your “office hours” seriously? Post them in the comments section.