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Gustav’s writing nook

....but he lets me use it.

By Hannah BPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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Gustav is a Papercut Monster from Edmonton Alberta.

This desk, chair, and shelves— a proper writing nook— was originally my anniverary gift from my husband, but Gustav has sort of taken it for his own and I really don’t have the heart to kick him out. I mean, look at him; he even fits the colour scheme. I don’t even think it would be wrong of me to call him... majestic. He’s epic and magical. Epical, even. And I just love what he’s done with the place.

The writing nook sits in a corner of our loft master bedroom opposite the window so that should I have time to visit in the day, Gustav and I can feel and see some sun. Gustav really is a most gracious host, and I am happy to share the space with him. He’s even gone and decorated with things I like. Chivalry is not dead in the paper monster community, I’m telling you!

The walls and shelves, though not full yet, have begun accumulating old and new favourite pieces of art and literature. On it’s very own shelf sits the very book my father read to me when I was being taught to read, and the story that inspired me to want to tell my own. The Hobbit. It’s a lofty goal to say I’d like to be as far reaching as Tolkein or King one day, but I like lofty. I’ve never known why a “lofty goal” is a bad thing— if a goal is right within your reach that isn’t a goal it’s just a decision. Yes, Gustav and I like lofty. We can say that’s why Gustav has hung the shelves and art so high— he likes the theme of “higher and higher”; the higher I aim, the higher I’ll go, even if I miss.

In the top left corner are art pieces from a local artist and best friend of mine that have travelled from home to home with me for years. Not only does this art bring me feelings of love and friendship, but her art and creativity have always been so inspiring to me, and she has always inspired me to keep creating. You should see her nook— it’s incredible, and she didn’t even have help from a monster of any sort. Gustav is impressed. And that takes a lot.

The remaining art pieces and other oddities in the nook all come from local creators or gifts from friends. They all bring me so much joy and positivity and they aid in my reminder that although I come to Gustav’s nook for an escape, I have much good to return to when I am done. These items remind me of the kindness, creativity, and wonderment in this world we all have to celebrate. I can often also be reminded of my loving and supportive family while I’m spending time in the nook— I can hear my son and my husband playing as their laughter roars up the stairs, or feel our dog Luna come to curl up on my feet. These are not interruptions to my escape, however; these are simply the times when I bring others with me to escape. Sometimes my 18 month old son pushes open our bedroom door while I’m working and crawls into my lap as I write. He and Gustav seem to have a mutual understanding about the nook, because it’s the only time being around a device that my son doesn’t try to type his own story; he relaxes into me, looks around, and just comes to be. He knows my place of calm, and sometimes, even at 18 months old, he likes to come and share it, too. So we escape together. I tell him stories, I give him kisses and tickles, and I am inspired by the love we share. It is all that more special that we share it here In Gustav’s nook.

Gustav arrived before the desk or chair ever did, and he seemed to have been waiting to take his rightful place on the desk top, where he now stands proud as an oak, watching over my creating. He has dreams of his own for my writing, or perhaps our writing, and whatever it is he’s dreaming, I think it’s working. A very prominent buzz word these days is “manifest”: we are all to be manifesting our desires into our lives. I love Gustav’s writing nook because it is my place of manifest. It is where I dream so hard they aren’t dreams anymore: they are just more goals. Each time I sit down to create in my nook, I truly escape. My mind doesn’t just wander here, it frolics. It lollygags and stays as long as it likes. Having a spot in your home just for me, even if it’s shared with a paper monster, has been pivotal in maintaining my mental health through the continued climate of madness surrounding us. I hope everyone finds a nook. I hope everyone’s mind can frolic there, too.

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About the Creator

Hannah B

Mom, self proclaimed funny girl, and publicly proclaimed "piece of work".

Lover and writer of fiction and non-fiction alike and hoping you enjoy my attempts at writing either.

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