Hey friends. How we doin’ out there? Me too, dude. We are certainly living in some strange times with COVID-19 amidst us and most of the world is now “WFH”. So, that’s why I’ve compiled a survival guide on getting shit done from your humble abode.
What is WFH?
Nowadays, thousands of start-up and Fortune 500 employers are offering “Working From Home” jobs. This could be either work done from home, or work done remotely on the road. And honestly, it offers wayyy more flexibility, supports a healthy work/life balance, cuts down on commuting time, minimizes road traffic and costs, as well as helping out good ole Mother Naitch with subtle climate change elimination.
Here’s some mindsets that helped me when I first started working from home in 2016.
1. Eliminate the guilt that you aren’t doing enough.
First and foremost, you are enough. After I quit my corporate office job around 2016, I started working from home and always had this looming sense of guilt following me around. The beauty and joy of working from home is that you get to create your own little space, where you can still enjoy your own little things, on your own little time. That’s not to say it isn’t extremely difficult to hold yourself accountable on your tasks, or worse, overwork yourself.
I’ll certainly admit that it did take me a while to adjust to such a comfortable setting. I’ve found that sticking to your morning alarm time will help keep you in the groove of normality (and help eliminate depression-sleeping because that can happen too).
2. Make your computer space as comfortable as humanly possible.
Sitting at a desk for long hours seriously sucks. We all hate it, but the show must go on. Therefore, I can’t tell you how mad I am at myself everyday for not investing in a butt cushion sooner. I made the choice to purchase a very cute chair (because, aesthetic) but guess what the comfort level is? If you guessed 0% you’d be correct.
Here’s some comfort maximizing examples besides my glorious booty pillow:
• slap on your favorite hydrating mask and leave it on until you have a Zoom call
• yoga blocks for a foot prop while sitting in a chair, if the chair is too tall and you can’t adjust
• a giant carafe of water (add fruit for flair) so you don’t have to get up 1,000 more times than you should
• hook your computer up to another monitor for double the workspace (especially designers with a desk!)
• burn a candle (no longer than 3 hours, people)
• turn on an essential oil diffuser (the one you’ve been ignoring for 3 months)
3. Get upside-down.
In addition to bathroom and water breaks, find a way to get somewhat upside-down. The fresh flow of blood in your body is great for your mental health. Bonus points if you can twerk while doing it. Post that shit on TikTok. And if you aren’t able to handstand, just perform your best downward-facing dog – but make it pretty.
4. Experience nature.
I KNOW I KNOW we’re not supposed to go out (this is critical for people in large cities in order to curve the bell, I am very aware). But, going outside can be as simple as setting up your laptop on a balcony while getting some of that sweet, sweet vitamin D. Sniff a flower. Pick some flowers outside your apartment. Stare out the window at at tree. Just something.
It’s important for us to be around plants in general, so if you don’t have a way of getting outside, I suggest inviting your house plants to snuggle up around your desk space. Your mental health depends on it.
5. Implement at least 4 minutes of cardio in the morning (HIIT/Tabata).
Think about it, when you get ready for work, walk to your car, park your car, walk up to a building, walk through that building, and then plop down at your desk: you’re actually used to moving more than you think. SO. That’s why you need to get that heart rate up, baby.
HERE’S WHAT TO DO:
• 30 seconds of jumping jacks
• 15 seconds of rest (but like, still be moving in place)
• 30 seconds of butt-kickers (pretty much running in place kick so hard that you’re literally kicking your own butt)
• 15 seconds “rest”
• 30 seconds of jump-rope in place, side to side (do the arm movements!)
• 15 seconds rest
Repeat twice OR as many times as you can before the feeling of death creeps into your body.
6. Give your skin a break.
Thiiiiiiis.
Guess who’s seeing you all day? No one (besides those Zoom call friends), so why not let your face breathe a lil? I’ve noticed that this allowed a jump-start for my facial complexion. In the mornings, use a toner. Mid-day, a mask (hydration masks, as mentioned above!). Then at night you can whip out all the heavy hitters, like eye creams, serums, AHA/BHA’s or other great forms of exfoliants. Seriously, try it. My skin has never looked better than when I started to work from home.
That’s all I got for ya. What’s your way of working from home? Did I miss anything? Let me know on instagram: @meggle. Stay safe out there and stay connected. ♡
xoxo,
meg
