By now you know that sitting all day puts you at risk for higher cholesterol levels and heart disease, according to studies reported on NPR. This sucks for us writers who hope to spend as much time at our laptops or desks as possible. I’d built a laptop holder on my exercise bike, but I often use my laptop in the kitchen, family room, or dining room. I’ve tried standing at the kitchen counter and the dining room buffet to work, but they weren’t the right height, and obviously not moveable. So what to do?
A standing desk is pricey and isn’t practical if you want to use it in another room. On Twitter, I caught wind of a portable standing desk in the works called Stand Stand, a three piece wooden contraption that collapses to the size of a laptop. It fits in a bag or backpack if you want to write at a coffee house or library. Dowels hold the three panels together when stacked. It’s sharp-looking and lightweight, at 2 pounds. As of now, it will cost you $50 via Kickstarter to get one, as the inventors are seeking to invest in a machine that can quickly cut the panels.
Meanwhile, it got me thinking about what I had at home that was sturdy enough to set on a table or desk to hold my laptop, like a box, or a carton of some sort, while I stand. I found the solution in my utility closet: a Kikkerland Easy Fold Step Stool!
It’s just the right height for me. It weighs only 2-1/2 pounds, but might be a little difficult to fold up to fit in a backpack. That’s okay. I don’t write in a coffee shop. So, I’m standing! In fact, I’m in the kitchen, watching the Tigers’ game on TV while I write this blog post.
I also built a laptop shelf that mounts on my exercise bike.
I encourage you to look for ways to stand for at least a portion of your writing time. I often think of Honoré de Balzac, the French novelist who was plagued with health problems, maybe because he spent 15 hours at a time at his desk, writing and chugging coffee. In March, 1850, he took a ten-hour journey to get married, and the poor guy died 5 months later from a bad heart.
Don’t die like Balzac. Get off your duff.
Linda K. Sienkiewicz is the author of the award-winning novel In the Context of Love, a story about one woman’s need to tell her truth without shame.
2017 New Apple Book Awards Official Selection
2016 Sarton Women’s Fiction Finalist
2016 Eric Hoffer Book Award Finalist
2016 Readers’ Favorite Finalist
2016 USA Book News Best Book Finalist
“…at once a love story, a cautionary tale, and an inspirational journey.” ~ Bonnie Jo Campbell, author of National Book Award Finalist, American Salvage, and critically acclaimed Once Upon a River,and Mothers, Tell Your Daughters
“With tenderness, but without blinking, Linda K. Sienkiewicz turns her eye on the predator-prey savannah of the young and still somehow hopeful.” ~ Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of the #1 NY Times Bestseller, Deep End of the Ocean
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Great advice, Linda. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how much I sit at my desk. Standing is a good suggestion. And Dan Brown’s habit of stopping for situps on the hour wouldn’t hurt either.
Ooh, I like Dan Brown’s idea, too. Thanks for sharing that. Sometimes I sit on an exercise ball when I’m writing on my antiquated old PC. It’s all good!
That or run…clears the mind and sets you to write, without a risk of health.
Yes, it does! I often find writing ideas and answers when I’m walking or running with my dog. Thanks for chiming in. Happy writing!
Wow, you are very industrious, Linda! Love the laptop shelf. That obviously took some thought. Good for you putting your health first. Great inspiration for the rest of us!
Thank you, Colleen! I owe my industriousness to my late father!