My co-working space has new members… and they don’t follow the rules.

I have new members in my co-working space, which is my home and workshop. In fairness to them, this wasn’t their first pick for co-working space, but this is their only choice. Although this is their first month as members, it really feels like they have been here forever.

These new members include my two teenage sons and my husband. Living in New Rochelle, we were one of the first groups to be introduced to this “new temporary normal” of everyone spending their whole day in my (co)working space. First, I want to be clear that I feel that staying home is the least we can do for all that our first responders, medical professionals, and essential workers are doing. We gladly stay home so others can live. That being said, my first week with these new members I thought, “how nice to have new members during the day. “We claimed our spaces, shared our common areas, went to work. We all have our jobs to do. I would create jewelry, the boys would do their new distance learning, and my husband would work with his numerous video calls. Seems simple, right?

Well, the reality of it all set in pretty quickly. First, the teens seem to think that the kitchen is open all the time like a 24 hour diner with their own private chef and cleaning person. The kitchen quickly resembled a scene from Animal House after their infamous food fight. I took the liberty to re-create the usual shared kitchen sign, “I am not your mother, please clean up after yourself” to “I am your mother, and I am still not picking up after you.”

What became clear was that my daily hammering, fire torching, and clanging around in my creative workshop had to be put on a schedule that worked around the video calls and e-learning classrooms.

What became clear was that my daily hammering, fire torching, and clanging around in my creative workshop had to be put on a schedule that worked around the video calls and e-learning classrooms. My daytime work was definitely altered. On a bright note, I did find that if I did my hammering in the morning it proved to be a good “signal” to let all the members know the co-working space was open. In addition to doing my own work, at times I had to put on my school supervisor hat to make sure school work was being completed. More importantly, I would put on my mom hat to check-in to discuss how everyone was coping.

One thing for sure, I can’t wait to let these new members know they are kicked out. This will mean that we have gone back to a life that seems so far in the past and people are safe to be out again. May they get their termination notice soon!

Melissa Panszi-Riebe is a NYHC Member making one of a kind jewelry with vintage, global, and new components. Visit A D'Zine here.