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Life Thoughts's avatar

Thank you for these words! We recently moved and I’ve been so busy unpacking and doing all the necessary things. I haven’t actually had any of my art things for a few months. We moved out of state and it required several months to accomplish and we still aren’t truly “moved in”. I had my nest for years…my morning coffee chair, a little table, a blanket, notebooks, and my coffee. I planned my days there, worked on art there, and withdrew there. It felt safe, comforting, inspiring. When we moved my space was gone. The chair was so old, we decided not to bring it. We got a new chair and couch, but it wasn’t the same, it wasn’t my nest. I found my nest on our little all season porch. I love sitting there in the morning, listening to the birds, sipping away, reading, planning, imagining. I call it my happy place. It nurtures me and comforts me. Thanks for reminding me of my nest!

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Lesley Riley's avatar

Thanks for sharing you nest story. I’m glad you created a new one.

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Debbie Howard's avatar

Yes...I definitely 'nest' in this same way too, wherever I am. And at home I have the same go to spaces as you...my bed, and the kitchen table. I spend most of my time in the kitchen where the pets hang out, I keep my art supplies, I can see the garden, and I enjoy cooking. If I need to think or write or just decompress, then I'm off to my bed, my safe and sacred space. 😃

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Lesley Riley's avatar

It sounds like we are nesting twins!

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Karen Rand Anderson's avatar

I love this, Lesley-- love it, love it 🪺 ! After leaving the amazing dream-nest home 15 years ago that I'd built and lived in for 15 years w/ my ex, I've had three nests of my own, and this final one is the place that holds me perfectly. This is my 7th year here. A spacious open loft in an old mill building, with huge windows overlooking a curving river below. There are several different nesting places for both me and my little Ginger 🐕 and we nest in them together. I am deeply grateful to have this safe space to live my creative life.

Question for you-- do you write at your nesting table too, or do you have a separate writing corner?

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Lesley Riley's avatar

Your home sounds wonderful, Karen. If always dreamed of loft living.

No, I write on my desktop in my upstairs office/studio. But I do get plenty of ideas and inspiration in the nest.

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Susie Dahl's avatar

Lesley, what a beautiful reminder of our need to have a space that brings us comfort and supports us to be ourselves.

I’ve moved in the past year into a spacious home from a small apartment. Without premeditated thought I gravitated to “the” spot which gives me nourishment AND vision; a control center exactly. For me, this nest is essential. I can hear myself sigh as I sit down. Coupled with this feeling of surrender is a gushing of gratitude. Yes, my nest is essential.♥️

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Lesley Riley's avatar

Isn’t it fun to instinctively build our nest? Surrender and gratitude sounds ideal.

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Linda Warschoff's avatar

I listened to an interview with Jane Fonda a few years ago. She talked about how much she loved nesting in her bed. That totally resonated with me. I live in a cozy, light filled space. My studio is half of my living room. I love being here!

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Lesley Riley's avatar

You had me at cozy and light filled!

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Orly Avineri's avatar

Yes I relate so strongly, and a dining table in the kitchen is one of my persistent fantasies. 🙏🏻🤍

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Lesley Riley's avatar

One day perhaps, but I am sure your living space is full of little nesting spots.

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E Coral Smith's avatar

I'm exactly the same, I "need" my kitchen table. I've now got it in my workshop, it's a big wooden pine one and I feel totally at home when I'm sitting at it working at something, or even eating my lunch out there. If I've got my table I feel I'm at home, without it, something's missing.

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Lesley Riley's avatar

A kitchen table in your workshop sounds delightful. I may need to find a "new" kitchen table to put in my studio.

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E Coral Smith's avatar

There's no room for it in the house I share with my partner, a narrow galley kitchen and small living room meant there was no space it could fit into, so I was delighted that I could arrange my workshop to have it in there instead.

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