Anyone who has transitioned into freelancing knows that it's not about sitting around in your PJs all day. It can be a daily struggle with distractions everywhere - just need to put my editing reference books into alphabetical order now (I have done this and it's proved handy). So one of the first things I had to sort out in my early freelancing days was finding a quiet place to work. The first logical place to look was the local library, of course. I discovered back then that libraries have changed their function from how I remembered them.
When I was young, our local library had a scary chief librarian whose job it was to tell everyone to be quiet. She looked like the witch from The Wizard of Oz, just not green and boy were we scared of her. You dared not squeak with excitement in finding your favourite Tintin book had been returned.
So in revisiting my local library year later to do some work with shaky, free wifi, I headed straight to the desks with the A4 bit of paper stating 'Quiet Zone' above them. Well, I discovered the only quiet zone in that library with the toilet. Even the librarians would yell to each other in full voice, Jill! I've got the Thomas Keneally!!' So it makes it a tad difficult to complain when the staff are setting the noisy tone. I became the shoosher, asking a couple of seniors to please keep their chatter down, to which one objected 'It's a library!'. Hmm.
Libraries have indeed over recent years changed their purpose. And if it's in the spirit of keeping people reading hard copy books, I'm all for it. A recent article by Stuart Kells reflects on the changing function of libraries over the years and how our expectations have changed with the introduction of free wifi and cafe spaces within libraries. They are now more of a community space, a hub for people to gather and discuss books, movies or local issues. I've even found a library near me that has a fantastic fast charging station, where I can sit and read glossy magazines while my phone charges. Who cares about chatter!
I accept that I can't be the 'shoosher' anymore and I've had to be creative in finding spaces to work, when I need to remove myself from the distractions of home. Here are my top 5 quiet places:
1. Untrendy cafe
I've found a cafe near me where local seniors like to frequent. This means the music is soft and the chatter is low. The cuppa might be a tad average but the productivity makes up for it.
2. Co-working space
There's usually a cost involved, unless you want to go for a day trial, but the good thing about paying for the time is you'll be motivated to get your work done. And everyone is working on their own thing and usually don't know each other, so there's minimal chatter. I've found a great quiet one where others seem to have the same pressing deadlines as me. Head down!
3. Hotel foyer / room
Like Carrie Bradshaw, taking yourself off to a hotel room for the day or night, you'll find yourself with minimal distractions and quiet (as long as Mr Big doesn't turn up professing his love...). Good hotels are usually in solid buildings and have minimal noise. There are lots of nooks and crannies around foyers and conference floors to find a big ottoman to get some work done. Staying in a room for the night has the added benefit of getting your money's worth and really nutting down to get that deadline ticked off.
4. Libraries
Yes I'm back here, because despite their noisy reputation, there are still some great quiet spaces. Avoid those that are near unis as chatty students will be doing group work there, but I've found plenty of good regional libraries that still encourage quiet reading and working. Bliss.
5. Noise cancelling headphones
When all else fails, pop on a pair of noise cancelling headphones. No matter where you are, the technology of these headphones will ensure you stay focused and in your own world, like a portable quiet place. I find wearing these headphones kind of like a placebo effect - it tricks my brain into thinking I'm in a quiet space with no distractions and with or without music, it really works.