Desk Potato
Apparently, although I suspect it’s something of a contradiction in terms, I am a hard-working couch potato. Well, probably not a couch potato because I sit at my desk to work. So a desk-chair potato.
This must be true because when it becomes my time to vacuum the house and my wife unsubtly rolls the Dyson into my room and parks it five inches from my face and I complain I am too tired to do what she wants, she says, “Why? All you do is sit on your arse”.
I know (think, hope) she is just joking, but that is essentially a very accurate descriptor of what a freelance writer does. We all sit on our arses. Americans, of course, prefer to sit on their asses.
I’m not very good at obeying all those very sensible instructions about getting up for a stroll every 20 minutes, stretching fingers and flexing wrists, or refocusing the eyes every so often on something outside the window. When I sit down to work, it’s quite normal for me to not move again for ten hours or more (toilet breaks notwithstanding). Thankfully, my wife also brings me food along with vacuum cleaners, so I don’t have to break to prepare anything to eat.
Sitting on your arse can be exhausting. Non-freelance writers may find that an oxymoron, but it’s true. I have done extremely physical jobs in the past, and they are far less tiring. Not moving very much is more draining than moving a lot. And then you have the mental strain of staring at a computer screen hour after hour and trying to meet deadlines and having clients you know must be kept happy.
I’m not claiming it’s worse than fighting the Taliban. It’s not a boo-hoo plea for sympathy. It’s my career choice and it suits me very well. It’s just not what you expect it to be when you are idly daydreaming about dumping your boring salaried office job and reinventing yourself as a freelance writer.
Being a freelance writer is one of the most sedentary jobs you can imagine. If you are the active, outdoor type, you can only do this for any length of time by making sure whatever down-time you have includes some physical exercise. It may be the last thing you want to do after a writing marathon, but it refreshes the system far more than shifting straight from desk-chair to couch for a snooze.
Stay active, folks.
About the Author: I have two novels published hardback and paperback by Hodder & Stoughton - The Short Cut and Man On A Murder Cycle. I live on the Murcian coast of Spain with my beautiful wife and daughter. For the past five years I have been working in corporate intelligence for some of the largest companies in the world.
allena | Jan 20, 2012 | Reply
Ain’t this the truth? My brain gets tired after a long day at the desk.
I gained 30 pounds when I established b=my freelancing writing business in 2006/07. I worked 80 hour weeks barely moving from this spot. Before this I had been an editor at a University and my department was spread out 3/4 miles between two buildings. And we walked. Daily. Cause parking sucked.
I had to really HARDCORE change my lifestyle to make up for the sedentary work. I became a runner, I also hit the gym before I work, and I love to ski and ice skate. I take spinning classes on Fridays… I just do all the moving I can outside of this job.
Oh, and by the way- SERIOUSLY- if you go from a “normal” (moving) job to freelancing at home, remember to REDUCE YOUR CALORIES. Even though our brains are working, we simply (biologically) don’t need as many calories as people who commute, and walk, and go to meetings, and walk again, and commute again. . .
George Angus | Jan 20, 2012 | Reply
Mark,
Since I have been recently thrust into this exact situation, I can totally relate. It’s minus 20F outside and I have writing to work inside, hence there are days when I don’t even leave the house. Still, at the end of the day I’m exhausted.
Like you, I’ve heard all the “remedies” designed to keep me fresh yet I’m too lazy/stubborn/apathetic to engagee in any of them.
Oh well.
George
Mark | Jan 23, 2012 | Reply
Allena,
Great point about the calorie-reduction. I am, however, having trouble seeing how you now have time to write while you train for the next Olympics/Winter Olympics. Thanks, as always, for your input.
Mark
Mark | Jan 23, 2012 | Reply
George,
Listen, mate, it’s only a 40 degree difference between where you are and where I am. It can’t be that bad. Get out and run. Or ask Allena where you can buy some skates.
Mark
Justin Mazza | Jan 24, 2012 | Reply
Hi Mark,
I work online full-time during the winter months and I know that sitting at a desk all day can be exhausting. Working from home I take mini breaks from my desk and do something physical like washing dishes or cooking something delicious to eat.
John | Feb 7, 2012 | Reply
Hi guy’s,
I know exactly where you are coming from. Monika is often bound to the laptop for hours on end fulfilling deadlines. She absolutely loves it, however the lack of physical movement can be detrimental to our health.
Right now Monika is keeping fit ‘n’ healthy with a brand new program the Boyer Weight Loss Challenge http://www.derekboyer.com/ I on the other hand do all the home things you mentioned cooking and serving meals, tidy up, washing etc, but hey I love it that I can stay at home too, so I gladly do it.
Keep on rockin guy’s
Mark | Feb 7, 2012 | Reply
Hey, Monika’s John, welcome! You know all the right things to say, eh? Is Monika reading over your shoulder?
Mark | Feb 7, 2012 | Reply
Justin, you really must engage someone to do all that menial stuff for you. Damn, my wife just slapped me.
John | Feb 9, 2012 | Reply
Hey Mark not always but anything that contains her name generally gets the once over…LOL