How to survive working from home
Working from home full time is not something I ever aniticpated doing.
Once upon a time it was a dream I’d had, so I could work full time alongside my chronic illness (who knew it was actually possible?). However once I found a job I loved, it was a lot easier to get myself into the office every day, even when I am exhausted.
Now, like many of you, I have been thrown into the wonderful world of working from home, and just being stuck at home in general – although it’s not that much of a change for me.
But it is a struggle. I’ve found it difficult, strange, stressful, fun (at times) and extremely exhausting. And I know I can’t be alone in that. It’s been a huge change for all of us.
I count myself very lucky that I am one of the few that are actually able to do their job from home. It doesn’t make it any easier though. So I thought I’d share some tips to get through this time – how to make working from home work for you!
And if you’re someone who actually already worked from home full time, and you have any life wisdom to add to this list, please feel free to comment below. I’d love to hear from you!
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Make working from home work for you.
Keep to your normal routine.
One thing that has been really important to me is keeping the same routine I had before I was working from home. If I don’t keep to the same cycle of waking up and going to bed it completely throws me off and my energy levels plument.
It’s so tempting now that I have my computer at home to just sleep in every day, and start work later. It’s also really tempting to not shower or clean my teeth, or get dressed. But that’s not good for my mental health either.
What I’ve been doing is getting up at my normal work time, and getting ready for work the way I would normally – shower etc. Although I’ve been getting dressed into comfy loungewear because who wants to work from home in jeans? Either way though I am dressed and I’m clean, and my mind is ready for work.
There is no judgement here from me to anyone who has been working in their pajamas. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. It’s just that personally I cannot get into the working mindset that way.
My weekends are still the same though – I still sleep in, I still lounge around in my pajamas, I still rest.
Shut off out of office hours.
It’s so tempting to just sign into my computer, check my emails, maybe do a few extra hours in the evenings or on weekends to get things done. But because a lot of our lives right now are confined to our homes it’s important to still keep that work-life balance.
Turn your computer off and leave it off until the next morning. Ignore your work inbox if it is on your phone. Don’t answer work calls.
You need to give yourself some distance between work days, and that’s not going to happen if you are constantly checking in. Give yourself a finish time and FINISH AT THAT TIME.
Also make sure you’re taking your lunch break away from your computer – clear your head for a bit. You’ll feel much better.
Take regular breaks.
This one is just as important in the office as it is out of the office.
It is not good to sit staring at a computer screen all day. It’s not good for your mind, it’s not good for your body, IT’S NOT GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL! (Can you tell this lockdown is getting to me a bit?)
I combat this by regularly getting up to make hot drinks. The perfect excuse to stretch my legs (on the way to the kitchen), and just have a breather.
If you’re into it, you can do little yoga routines for a few minutes away from your desk, or just stand somewhere and stare at a wall. It really doesn’t matter what you do, just give your mind a break from your computer.
And yes I am fully aware of the irony that I’m sat here recomending this when I’ve just gone from a 10 WFH day to writing a blog post on my laptop.
Make a banging working from home playlist.
Honestly I think my work from home playlist has saved me the past two weeks. I have noise cancelling headphones (which sometimes mean I start singing without realising), so I can blast the music up and just get lost in it to help me pass the day.
Mine is full of classic 90’s and 00’s hits to take me back to my childhood. My whole work day feels like a school disco. Every now and then I’ll break into a dance routine, which keeps my other half entertained while working from the other side of the table.
Pick some tunes that really make you feel good and turn them up. Just not so loud that your neighbours complain.
Have regular calls with your work friends.
The thing that has hit me the most about working from home is how much I miss my work colleagues. They are some of the best people I know, and they really help to make the work day go faster.
I miss our banter, our luch time chats, the random pictures we send each other, throwing paper airplanes at them (I do work with grown ups, honest).
In order to make it feel like a normal work day, we have actually started conference calling eachother on Whatsapp and just chatting while we work for an hour or two. It’s a little bit distracting, but it really makes the world of difference to my day. And this is coming from someone who hates talking on the phone.
Try it out, see if it works for you.
And if, unlike me, you are actually glad to be away from your colleagues then just enjoy this new freedom!
Look after yourself outside of work.
I’ve already written about ways to look after your mental health when you’re stuck at home during social isolation, but it’s still so important.
In order to be your best self while working from home, you need to be your best self living at home. I know that’s easier said than done, but in times like these you really do need to take care of yourself and your health first.
Find some ways to truly relax yourself, and make yourself feel good inside and out.
As I’ve already mentioned, if you were already working from home when the lockdown happened, please feel free to add your tips and tricks in the comments!
If this is also new to you and you’ve found some good ways to cope, I’d love to hear from you too!
Stay safe everyone. Until next time xo
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29 Comments
Maddie
These are really great tips! I’ve worked from home for six months and these are generally what I’ve found to work well! I also recommend scheduling in lunch breaks in your diary so you don’t forget and no one can put a meeting in there 🙂 thanks for sharing!
Philippa Claire
Oh yes that’s a really good one! Wouldn’t want to forget the most important part of any work day!
Thanks for the comment 🙂
Em
At first, I loved working from home but now it all seems such a blur! Thank you for the advice. I have found that working in a room other than my bedroom is so beneficial as it separates relaxation to my work and gives me a kind of safe space. I also love listening to Spanish music while working as it is so upbeat I actually feel like work is fun!?!?!
Em x
https://loveemblog.blogspot.com/2020/04/self-care-and-ways-to-relax-in.html
Philippa Claire
Yes that’s a really good point. I am finding that because I can still see my work computer when I’m not working (we don’t have a spare room/study) that it’s hard to relax and get work out of my head.
Definitely on board with that tip 🙂
Thanks for the comment!
Giulia
Great post! I work from home and although I have a strict schedule to follow, I try to follow as much as possible the other things you’ve listed. It’s important to stay connected and focused but also not doing too much which could lead to burning out. x
Philippa Claire
Absolutely. It can be so easy to do too much simply because you’re at home. Downtime is just as important as work time!
Rachel
I have been working from home for almost 5 years also, so this is different but never going out (except to the store like once per week) is getting old. It’s really important to take breaks as you said. I hope we all get through this soon!
Philippa Claire
I feel quite the same – I have a chronic illness so apart from working from home my life hasn’t changed massively. And even I’m struggling with it all!
I hope you are doing well and staying safe!
Jaya Avendel
There is nothing like working from home to leave you distracted and figure since you are home, might as well dawdle in other things. I love these tips for staying focused! 🙂
Philippa Claire
Thank you, I’m glad you found them helpful and I hope you are staying safe!
Lisa Marie Alioto
Shutting off after work is hard but essential! I’m glad you included that in your article!
Philippa Claire
It’s so important, and working from home makes it so much harder!
Claire
I finally feel like I am falling in to some kind of rhythm with this home working lark. it is not easy though and I will definitely be putting some of these tips to use.
I honestly think I am working more and harder at home than I would without the office distraction. I am almost going to be sad when I have to go back x
Great advice, take care x x
Philippa Claire
I definitely feel you there. I work on a flexi hour basis and have managed to work 34 hours extra since working from home, something I would never have been able to do if I was commuting to and from work every day. There are some major positives to it!
Sean | Authentically Average Blog
Great post, Philippa! HUGE need for a killer music playlist and taking regular breaks. We could all probably do a little better in the “taking care of ourselves department”!
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Authentically Average latest post: Pulse Checks during Quarantine https://authenticallyaverage.com/2020/04/13/pulse-check-during-quarantine/
Philippa Claire
I don’t know what I would do without my killer playlist now!
I hope you are taking care of yourself and keeping safe 🙂
Britt K
I have been working from home for over 3 years now, and it’s definitely something that takes adjustment! The best advice that I have is to set up a designated ‘work’ area if possible that you don’t use for anything else. This could be a separate room as a home office, or even just a specific corner of your living room. That way you have the feeling of ‘going to work’ or ‘leaving work’ as opposed to starting to mentally connect your work with you bed, couch, etc.
Philippa Claire
That’s really great advice! And definitely one I will try to implement.
I hope you are staying safe!
Sherry
These are great tips! It’s always a struggle not to continue working after you clock out. I need to come up with a good playlist too!
https://justlivejoy.com/quick-and-easy-burger-bombs-offer-comfort/
Philippa Claire
It can be hard to switch off, especially when working from home. I always try to do ateast 30 minutes of something else as soon as I finish to try and get out of my work brain – at the moment it’s playing the sims, but I also read. It’s a great way to just have a reset!
Lisa Marie Alioto
Much needed tips. I am really bad about turning off after my work day is supposed to end. However, I do have several weekly Zoom meetings with co-workers and students so at least I am getting that right.
Annelies
Hi Philippa, interesting post to read! One thing I tried out this week (spoke about it in my latest post: https://anneliesexplores.wordpress.com/2020/04/12/week-4-in-quarantine-7-things-to-do/) is trying out a new morning ‘commute’ as in going for a walk, to replace my walk to work. It helps with setting boundaries between work time and home time I find.
Philippa Claire
Thats such an amazing idea! Thank you so much for sharing, I think it’s one that many people would benefit from!
Moonibrahim
Awesome tips.. Keep it up
Philippa Claire
Thank you. I hope you are doing well and keeping safe!
Fadima Mooneira
These are good tips. Thank you for sharing. I always enjoy working at home.
Jam Macmac
Ohhh! I love the tip of making a banging work playlist! I have yet to do that.
https://jnfreelance.wordpress.com/
Philippa Claire
It’s honestly made the world of difference to my day. I’ve just added loads of Disney songs to it which has cranked it up a notch!
Something I can’t do at the office is sing and dance to good music!
Nila Vanruler
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