9: Quiet!

I’m a first grade teacher, and once Friday afternoon hits all I want is a little break from loud noises. Currently I’m at the cafe in the local library decompressing after a chaotic (yet oddly organized) day. I have my iced Americano, my journal, and a slowing heartrate.

The funny thing is I’m part of the reason my classroom is loud. Classes follow their teachers’ leads, and I am a pretty loud and hyper person. I am perfect for a primary classroom but not so much if I operated on brains. Here’s another funny thing—I’ve traditionally been an introvert, at least when I was younger. I need alone time, but…then again, now I don’t. Am I an introverted extrovert? An extroverted introvert? Can I define a percentage to this designation?

As a writer, I work best when it’s quiet yet not TOO quiet. Coffee shops typically work well; that is, unless they are blaring current pop music like Starbucks has reverted to. I enjoy background noise when writing. I do not like having earbuds in. Music in my ears distracts me. I enjoy the company of people (but not at my table unless they are also quietly writing). I rarely write at home because of these comforts. I probably should create a writing retreat in my house—I have the space.

What’s your favorite vibe when writing?