Being at home for days, weeks, or (months?) on end can be uncharted territory. After a time, you may want to criticize and critique your home to no end. Feeling dissatisfaction within your ”new office” does not have to be. With the below tips or if you need some additional one-on-one help, you can come to enjoy this time at home and see it as an opportunity for growth.
If you are curious about our design services available during these uncertain times, check out our virtual design + consultation page and we will be happy to discuss working with you. As our way to "give back" to our community, we are currently offering a 30 minute FREE consultation. Expanded services available.
“Our work is the presentation of our capabilities.” - Edward Gibbon
If you are like us right now, then you are officially working from home, until further notice. It is a privilege we are very grateful for and something that we have prior experience dealing with. Shannon has been working from home on and off for the past 25 years and Anna works from home (#WFH) or works remotely 80% of the time.
We know that Working From Home can be an incredible challenge, especially right now. With so many distractions (the news) and sharing our workspace with partners, children or roommates who would otherwise be away during the day, the sheer abundance of constant overload can feel insanity inducing.
We wanted to share our top 3 tips that has helped us stay (somewhat) sane over the years.
Pick the right place.
It is quite important to carve out a niche for yourself that it’s not associated with your daily activities or selected time off from work. If you do not have a dedicated home office or desk, try to make working space where there is good light and not too many distractions. A dining table is an option as well, but – when working, choose a different seat from the one where you normally eat. If you take a different spot (and a different chair!) at the table and it puts you in the mindset to “feel at work”. Then at the end of the day, when you return to the table for a meal, you’re “off work” again, sitting at your usual spot.
If a comfortable seat is your priority, then working from the sofa or armchair is acceptable, however, NEVER work from bed. This is your sacred place. Do not “contaminate it” with your work assignments and job-related problems. For now, start your Work From Home experience with the best work strategies for the time being. If you start off by making exceptions, you set yourself up for continuing to do so. It is a bad idea, that will reduce your productivity.
2. Use your Common Sense(s)
Our environments affect our attitudes and mental productivity. Being aware of things that calm or appeal our senses is an important relationship to nurture while you're home. Sound, scent and sight are 3 of our senses to nurture at your work space.
A good smelling candle, aroma diffuser or lovely bunch of flowers
Have music playing to help drown-out potentially disruptful background noises, we love classical or jazz.
Objects of beauty for visual breaks - a favorite postcard or photograph, a favorite book of poetry or small watercolors to take 5 minutes to flip through - all within arms reach to peruse when we need a break from staring at our computer screens.
Video Conferencing? - Then always think about how people see you best (natural lighting) and things they could be distracted by (what is behind you when they see your face?). Sit in front of a nice piece of art, a plant or window, or declutter the visuals by having your back to a wall. That way, the focus will be on you and what you are saying, rather than someone’s curiosity about the inside of your home.
3. A Place for Everything and Everything in it’s Place.
If working from home is new for you, then we will share our top recommendation that has taken us (unfortunately) years to learn. Organization is paramount. When learning to Work From Home, we find it invaluable to come-up with systems for everything. We love a good desk or drawer organizer for everyday items. Yet, it is the day to day miscellaneous organization that tends to be the most challenging. Always try to designate a place for every items and then PUT IT THERE - regardless of physical or digital.
Digital folders on your computer, color coded expanding files for important papers, baskets or a special place on the bookshelf where you can quickly pick up your work clutter and easily stash at the end of the day. Leaving piles of paper, unopened mail, tubes of chapstick and various drinking glasses strewn about your desk (or working area) will eventually have you feeling cluttered and more stir-crazy than you may already be feeling.
If you are not able to finishing organizing before the end of your “work day”, then pick and designate a place, a drawer or a vessel to hold those items. Through the act of touching each object and placing it in its “resting place” for the evening it will not only tidy your work area, it will help you make a mental to-do list for the next day.
We hope you find these tips helpful and remember, we are here for you.
With Love,
Shannon + Anna