“I’ve always dreamed of a lovely oak desk nestling in the corner of a studio overlooking west Wales coast. These days I do have the studio that whilst not overlooking the west Wales coast does look down into a gorgeous Welsh valley. No oak desk yet, but I’m working on that one. Despite being lucky enough to have the studio I often find myself working in bed.

In the late 1990s I was diagnosed with ME/CFS, an illness, that amongst other things leaves suffers with very little energy. I do have good days when I get out to my studio, but often (and particularly this last month) I make my bed my desk. I need very little, laptop (a sketchbook and pen, or a graphics tablet) so my bed works well as a mini-studio/desk. The blanket in the picture was made by my mother after my father died, and since she too died a couple of years ago, I get a lot of pleasure and comfort from it’s bright colours. Under the covers there’s a hot water bottle. Not a bad place to work!”

Michael Nobbs is a full-time artist, blogger and tea drinker (not necessarily in that order). He is the author of the popular blog Sustainably Creative and writes tweets and podcasts about drawing and trying to keep things simple.

In the late 1990s he was diagnosed with ME/CFS and, over the last decade, has learnt a lot about sustaining a creative career with limited energy.

Michael regularly publishes, The Beany, an illustrated journal about his life on the west coast of Wales. He has just released a new book, Sustainable Creativity, which offers advice on how to maintain a creative life to people with low energy or limited time (or both!).

Kate finds Michael’s energy contagious. It’s the little things like a desk overlooking the Wales coast!

One of my favorite posts; Michael’s 20 Ways To Get Through The Bad Days

1. Listen to a radio play.
2. Watch a favourite film or TV show.
3. Read a favourite comfort read.
4. Finish one (very small!) thing.
5. Bake a cake
6. Make bread in the breadmaker (the breadmaker option is less effort thank baking a cake and still provides a wonderfully cheering aroma).
7. Eat hot buttered toast.
8. Spend ten minutes on my yoga mat (not necessarily doing any yoga!).
9. Drink tea made in a teapot (preferably made with loose leaves).
10. Make a small drawing.
11. Take a nap.
12. Invite a friend to visit.
13. A ten minute declutter/tidy/throw-away (set a timer and move slowly but deliberately).
14. Twenty minutes on my current Important Work project.
15. A short walk around the garden.
16. Planting/potting on/watering a plant.
17. Make a short list of five or so things I’m grateful for.
18. Knit.
19. Do a jigsaw puzzle.
20. Write 750 words at 750words.com.