Desk Tour: Lindsey Stanberry

Getting to know the creator of The Purse.

Welcome to Desk Tour, a series where I interview creative folks about their desks and workspaces. In case you missed it: Shannon Watts’ Desk Tour from last time. You can also browse the entire catalog of Desk Tours.

I must admit that putting together this week’s Desk Tour took me much longer than usual. As I was pulling all the usual information for this week’s subject, I found myself absolutely glued to my computer screen. Why? I couldn’t stop reading

Lindsey Stanberry

’s latest edition of Home Economics, a series where she shares intimate money-focused Q&As from anonymous sources. These interviews get into the most specific details of savings, earnings, investments, and budgeting that you can imagine, and they are fascinating reads. The same goes for Lindsey’s other popular series on her Substack: Division of Labor and In Her Purse.

In a world where money can be intimidating and downright painful to talk about openly, Lindsey is giving her readers an incredible resource. Plus, it’s just good content. There are only a handful of other newsletters where I regularly find myself copy and pasting certain bits, sending them to friends, and discussing in detail. Today, I’m so excited to feature Lindsey’s workspace. Let’s step inside.

OM: Describe your workspace.

LS: Most days I work from a secretary desk in a corner of my bedroom. The desk was the first piece of furniture my parents bought when they got married (my mom was just 19!), and it was always one of favorite pieces of furniture in our house growing up. I was so excited when I had a space for it in my own apartment. That said, it was never supposed to be my permanent workspace because the desktop is very small, and it’s near impossible to do more than type at this desk. If I want to stretch out, I’ll sit at our dining table (where my husband works from most days). And I do a lot of writing in bed. Still, it’s served me well, first through the work-from-home era of the Covid pandemic, and then during my transition from full-time to freelance work/entrepreneurship.

OM: What are your three favorite items on your desk right now?

LS:

1. My “talented motherfucker” nameplate. Years ago, when I was an editor at Refinery29, the executive editor (and my good friend) got a huge box of these novelty nameplates. I came into work one morning and saw she had gifted me this one, and it made me feel so special (and still does). I look at it whenever I need a confidence boost.

2. “I’m nuts” mug. I inherited this mug from my mom, who was a total badass working mother. I love it so much, I won’t let anyone else in my family drink out of it. (I even told my father-in-law he had to choose another mug when he was visiting one time, LOL.)

3. My My Little Ponies. I have a very sweet little boy, and like all feminist moms, I tried to expose him to all kinds of different toys—dolls, cars, cooking sets, costumes, etc.—and that included my old My Little Pony toys. They sat on the windowsill of his room for years until a recent clean-out when he kindly told me he was never going to play with them. So I stuck them on my desk, and they stayed here. I wish I could say they encourage me to be playful or whatever, but I’m not sure they do, haha. Still, can you tell I have a wicked nostalgic streak?

OM: Do you keep anything specific at your desk that you use as inspiration to stay creative or positive?

LS: I’m the biggest fidgeter, and I love this desk because there are so many little drawers and cubbies, filled with things I can fidget with during phone calls. The tiny shell from last year’s vacation is an especially good fidget.

M: Is there anything you absolutely HAVE to have at your desk/workspace or you can't be productive?

LS: I could drink coffee all day long. Unfortunately, too much caffeine makes me super jittery and grumpy, so in the mornings, after my first cup, I’ll brew a pot of decaf and drink that ’til lunch. I rarely sit at this desk without some sort of hot beverage.

M: Is there anything you'd change about your workspace? If so, what?

LS: All of it, haha. I don’t love working from home, and it’s even harder when all you have is a small desk. There’s nothing ergonomic about my setup. Nearly every day, I have to take a few minutes to clear the chair of clothes I wore the day before. I adore this desk for sentimental reasons, but it’s terribly impractical. All of this has been the impetus for me to finally invest in a desk at a co-working space. Olivia will have to do a follow-up with me in a year once I finally get settled and decorated! But it’s exciting to have a new space to work that’s away from my apartment and the piles of laundry I need to tackle.

Note from Olivia: Would love to!!

M: Describe your ideal work day at your desk.

LS: No meetings, and lots of time to write. Maybe a few hours of other kinds of productive work, like brainstorming new newsletter ideas, conducting interviews, or replying to emails.

OM: Where can people find you on the internet?

LS: At thepurse.substack.com and on Instagram at @read_thepurse.

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Note from Olivia: Shockingly, I think this may be the first Desk Tour where someone has mentioned fidgeting. I tend to take random nonsensical notes/doodle when I need to keep my hands busy, but as someone with a dish full of miscellaneous shells on my desk… maybe I’ll take Lindsey’s advice and use one of those next time!

Be sure to check out all the past editions of Desk Tour!

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PS: One last thing before I go… you can order my first novel NOW! If you’ve already read and enjoyed, I would be honored if you would leave a kind review or rating on Goodreads or Amazon. It makes a world of difference. I appreciate your consideration, time, and support immensely.

A portion of March’s subscriber proceeds will go toward the Emily’s List, an organization that trains Democratic women (who are pro-choice) in the basics of running for office, from school board to senator.