Cowork In A Bookstore Or The Beach

Because I'm craving connection, coffee and cake

Office at the beach or a bookstore, in search of human interaction

Where are all the midlife women co-working these days?

I’ve been thinking about where would be the best place to find new connections and companionship without it being all about corporate networking bullshit. Whilst out marching the ridgebacks around the fields, I decided that today I’m going to co-work somewhere far away from my desk under the stairs.

For some reason I woke up feeling a little discombobulated. I actually think it’s due to the fact I work from home, alone, every single day. Don’t get me wrong I love my job and am privileged to host creative writing retreats and therapeutic journaling workshops, but I’ve realised, I need to get out and about more. Meet more humans, FACE TO FACE. What about you? Do you feel like this some days? Because let’s be honest, zoom meetings don’t cut the mustard when you’re craving a good old fashioned chin wag over coffee.

Recently, I read that in the wake of the remote work era, we’re witnessing an epidemic of loneliness that’s silently affecting individuals, especially from those who transitioned from their bustling offices to the solitude of working from home (WFH).

It’s been decades since I worked in an office, back in 2006 I left my full on busy career in radio, to set up my own business, (I blame that on an early midlife crisis). Even to this day I really miss my team, the fast paced work dynamic, the buzz of the radio station and the amazing friends I made over the years.

Now the convenience of working independently, whilst it has its merits, has also inadvertently led to a rise in social isolation. Midlife women like me and many of my friends who have embarked on entrepreneurial journeys or chosen flexible WFH arrangements, are especially susceptible to this seismic problem.

I think many of us are longing group camaraderie, the opportunity to share stories and ideas and even rage about what’s frustrating them this week. Women need to hang out with likeminded women, even if it’s for a few hours each week. Sitting alone trying to motivate yourself whilst staring at the same four walls each day can feel so brain numbing.

My solution has always been to head to a local book store, especially one that has a cosy cafe on the top floor. Julia Cameron would call it an ‘Artist’s Date’. It’s one of her core practices in her creative self discovery program The Artist’s Way. The concept of an Artist’s Date is a way to nurture your creativity, explore your interests and connect with your inner artist.

Heading to a local bookstore for an Artist’s Date has been such a lifeline for me when I’m seeking human connection and conversation. Do you co-work anywhere exciting or interesting? If so, where do you like to hang out? Do you drive to a quiet beach cafe? Or maybe your library has a big workspace where you join a group of business founders? Do you hot desk anywhere? Does you local town have a cool co-working space? Let me know, I’d love to hear about the co-working hangouts you’ve enjoyed visiting and why.

My ideal co-working space would be by the beach. Back in the day when I was a magazine editor, a local photographer invited me to be a part of his exhibition, capturing local creatives in their ideal work space, so he set up my office literally on the beach. It was super fun and the I always smile when I look at the photo. Right, I’ve got a couple of morning meetings to host and then I’m taking myself on an Artist’s Date. I shouldn’t buy another book, but Sam Baker has highly recommended I read another new memoir, by Stacey Duduid called ‘In Pursuit Of Happiness: Mating, marriage, Motherhood, Money and Mayhem'. I desperately need something gripping to read after devouring Maggie Smith’s epic memoir ‘You Could Make This Place Beauitiful’.

Until the next time

Take care & stay safe xx