Writing Setup

You know what’s really important for all of us who spend most of our day seated at a desk? Ergonomics, which involves having a workspace that puts your body in its most beneficial position to support how your body is supposed to sit. I.E. no slouching or weird craning to get your work done at your desk. 

My list of low back problems includes two bulging discs, stenosis, and a modic change in my spine, so sitting with the correct posture, as much as possible, is very important to me. You can see the somewhat elaborate setup I have. A foot rest (a very fancy wooden rest made by my grandpa and topped with a seldom used cookbook, lol) to elevate my feet so my knees rest at a 90 degree angle. A chair that theoretically supports my back. An elevated screen so I’m not bending my neck to stare at my laptop. And a separate keyboard and mouse to keep my elbows near a 90 degree angle while I work. 

But when I’m working longer hours than normal, or when my back is particularly hurting, or when I’m sick but working anyway, I have a tendency to bring my laptop to my couch and work there instead. Which I don’t feel is completely terrible for my back (though maybe that’s just what I like to think!), but there IS a terrible problem that sometimes happens with my back and working on my couch. And it’s completely my fault.  

You see, my cat Lily sometimes likes to lay on my lap when I’m on the couch, and this is something I want to encourage. So whenever I was using my laptop for watching videos or reading after work, I’d move my laptop off to the side for her, essentially training her that she can stare at my computer and it will be moved for her. This is a problem when I need constant access to the keyboard and mousepad, because I have to crane my back oddly if I’m still going to work.  

Or, you know, I COULD tell Lily no and not let her lay on my lap right then . . . but I’m unwilling to take that option, so this will continue to be a problem 😅

Thankfully, I don’t work on the couch that often, so it’s not normally an issue! 

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