A Crunchy Desk? Or "How to Be Me At Work"

How amazing are these pictures?

I'm in a really strange place. My work is official. I write proposals and memos.  I wear dress pants (or at least I'm supposed to).  I'm seemingly becoming a professional adult.

And so far it was meshed with me in a way that felt funny. Sort of foreign. Like sauerkraut on ice cream: no matter how much you like either one, they don't match.

So I am trying to find a way to be me at work. It has been an interesting struggle.  First, I have a firm belief that every where I go should smell like a place I want to be. You may have seen this in my suggestions to sage or simmer lavender and what not.  My office smells like dust and fluorescent lights. I decided an aromatherapy diffuser was in order. And stat. I'm using peppermint-lavender, for an invigorated relaxation.  Having a space that smelled lovely helped immediately. It's a cute terra-cotta piece made by a local artisan that provides localized smell that you only notice right near my desk. It's really a great friend.

Also, I brought in things that were lovely. An origami wreath I bought from a child craft show. My salt lamp. Awesome mugs and things. Then I covered some of my surfaces in fabric.

I noticed the difference immediately when my co-workers would touch things on my desk involuntarily. All the time. Suddenly my space was engaging and no longer so bland.

Also, obviously, I brought a plant. Jade. Happy in shade? likes to be ignored? My office exactly. And then some crystals- amethyst especially seems to have helped. I colored every note in a border in highlighter. Color? Check.

I think, in the end though, what will wind up making the difference, is if I can place my roots deeply, deeply, deeply in my home and in my marriage. Finding myself here and taking me with me when I go to work, should help in time. I just feel so split for now.