Work From Home
Hey, friends! How are you doing? Life has certainly changed a bit over the last month…
Whether work from home life is typical for you or not, it’s likely getting to the point with quarantine where you can’t really make it up as you go anymore. Not to mention those of you who have added kids to the mix. In Seattle, we’re about 3 weeks in, and I’m finally feeling like this is our new normal (for now). Which comes with its benefits! We quickly got Kevin a card table home office set up in the living room. (Perks of living in a small 1.5 bedroom city apartment) and we are getting into a rhythm. Plus, hello, noise canceling headphones!
I wanted to share a few tips that have worked for me over the years of working from home, and also some new things we’ve learned along the way (thanks, COVID!) Please feel free to reach out with questions, and let me know your tips + tricks as well!
Boundaries
First thing’s first. Let’s talk about boundaries. Boundaries are so important when it comes to work from home life. Boundaries mentally and physically. Mentally, I like to prioritize my morning routine which includes waking up at generally the same time each day, meditation + exercise (more on those below). It also means getting dressed (even if that just means a clean pair of leggings). Quarantine life is a great opportunity to tap back into the Five to Thrive from Ms. Rachel Hollis – make sure you’re drinking your water!
Physically, as best you can, create a work space/zone. I am lucky to have a home office, but if this isn’t an option, try creating an area of the home that is for work. Do not work from your bed! Or the couch. Sit in a chair, at a table. This is essential not only for productivity, but also for your body. Speaking from experience, wonky posture can have drastic negative effects on your body!
Next, create a boundary for the end of your work day to mentally sign off. This could be going for a walk, reading, or some other activity. I like to get outside with Lemon.
Finally, I finish each day with either writing down 5-10 things I’m grateful for, or sharing them out-loud with Kevin. It feels so great to think about the good things in life before you go to sleep, and this practice will help you notice the small wins throughout the day.
I recently shared these tips + more on my Three Moon Collective Instagram Takeover. Check it out!
Schedule
My next tip for pro work from home life is creating a schedule. This includes your morning routine, gratitude, etc. and also things like eating proper meals. Eating lunch is a great excuse for a break! Try to avoid snacking throughout the day, and intentionally eat foods that are good for your body. I know it can be tempting to eat only comfort foods (I have literally been baking all. the. things) but remember to treat yourself well, from the inside, out! My schedule also includes breaks. I started realizing that I relied on traveling from meeting-to-meeting on my regular days for a break and wasn’t getting that during quarantine. Now, I’m taking Lemon on more walks, and being a little more gracious with my productivity.
I think it’s important to note that it’s okay if you’re not operating at 100%. The mental weight of a global pandemic is heavy, and it’s OK if you’re not accomplishing all of your goals, organizing your closets, baking a soufflé, and homeschooling your kids.
PS: This is also a great article from the NYT “Stop Trying To Be Productive”
Screen Time
I don’t know about you, but my screen time is getting a little over-dosed. Since I am on my computer or phone all day for work, and then also getting in social time, news, and entertainment on screens as well, my eyes are going a little cross-eyed.
I encourage you to set some boundaries here as well. Don’t throw all your screen time rules out the window. Try dedicating specific times (with time limits) for news and social media check ins. Limit screen time immediately after you wake up and before bed. A goal: one hour of screen-free time before and after sleep.
Use screens for things you need it for – work and communicating with friends, but try and get some other activities off-line. Read a physical book, play card games (see below) and write or doodle in a journal. Walk or run outside.
Virtual Gatherings
Screens are saving my sanity right now, though… Let’s be real. FaceTime and Zoom meet-ups for the WIN – am I right!? I have loved connecting with friends over video that I may otherwise not chat with frequently. Over the weekend I had virtual happy hour with my friends from every part of my life (middle school, high school, college and beyond)! It was a relief to chat with people in other parts of the country and see how they’re managing everything. And just to share some laughs!
I am also loving seeing people meet-up online that may otherwise grab coffee or play-date together in person. A lot of my time these days (since I’m not photographing during shelter-at-home) has been spent working on Om Mama! We have virtual meet-ups, workout and workshop, and it has truly been a light in my weekly schedule! If you’re interested in joining us and learning more, check out what we’re up to here!
Fitness & Meditation
I talk frequently on Instagram about how much daily mediation has improved my stress levels. I couldn’t imagine navigating coronavirus without it! Some of my favorite apps are: Calm, Headspace and Shine. I strongly recommend using this time as the perfect excuse to make a daily meditation habit.
An important piece of life at home is fitness. It’s been an adjustment for me since I really love going to workout classes (and REALLY loved the Peloton bikes in our building’s gym) but I’ve found some good solutions in the short term. Many local fitness instructors are offering low-cost or donation based classes (and they need our support!), and live Zoom classes are SO fun. Lady Sweat (a dance party workout) is a fave. Om Mama Co. is doing weekly yoga and/or strength workouts, + Three Moon Collective has some of their own offerings as well and both showcases local businesses’.
Corporate fitness options are of course great as well, and many have free or trial options for on-demand classes. Favorites include: Corepower Yoga, Barre3 & Beachbody.
Games, Books, NETFLIX.
I recently asked in Instagram stories for your fiction recs that I can get lost in and aren’t too depressing + 2-person card games. Here’s what you shared!
Recs for me: On of Us Is Lying, Truly Devious series, Bridgerton series, Ali Won’g Dear Girls, Untamed, Writers and Lovers, Red White & Royal Blue, Gentlemen in Moscow, The Giver of Stars, Harry Potter, Boy Swallows Universe, The Graveyard Book, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Trevor Noah, Ready Player One, Never Where
I’ll add to the list: Liane Moriarty, just started Little Fires Everywhere (show now streaming on Hulu), City of Girls is an easy read and non-fiction pick: Gabby Bernstein + Untamed
Great 2-Person Games: Phase 10, Rummy, ERS, Speed, Spit, Golf, Spite & Malice, Cribbage, Sorry, Guillotine, Uno, Monopoly Deal, puzzles.
What we’re watching:
Netflix: Tiger King (of course), Parks and Recreation, Explained, Ali Wong, Jane the Virgin; HBO: VEEP, His Dark Materials, Succession, Westworld; Hulu: The Mindy Project
Alright friends, hang in there! We got this!
