Working From Home
Hey guys - Alex here! And I wanted to start off by debunking a few myths for those working from home...
You do NOT need to get dressed up to be productive, you do NOT need to be at a desk or work station to be productive, you do NOT need to have a perfectly scheduled work week during this time.
Now… I’m not saying those things don’t help, because they do - just remember that there is no “right way” to quarantine. This is all new to ALL of us, so you’re not alone in feeling stressed, overwhelmed, confused, sad, sleepy, or anxious.
I feel like A LOT of people have this gorgeous shimmery idea of what working from home is, and as someone whose worked from home for over a year let me tell you… it’s not all as glamorous as it’s cracked up to be. You’re constantly in both your work & living spaces, you see the messes that need to be cleaned, you see the house that needs tidying, the dog needs a walk, if you’re a parent you probably have little ones running circles around you, you forgot you haven’t eaten yet…. blah blah blah.
So let’s take a minute to recenter. Remember that EVERYONE globally is going through this funky time.
You’re doing great. Keep breathing.
Here are a few tips and tricks that may work (or may not) but recognize this is what works FOR ME. We are all individuals going through a similar experience and stimulation at the moment, so keep in mind that we all have different personalities, experiences, living situations, backgrounds, mental/physical health, triggers, etc.
Be mindful with what needs to be done for the day, the week, & the month.
Use a planner so you can see the big picture and get things done on time.
Utilize a to-do list; either physical pen and paper OR on the notepad on your IPhone.
Drink water + do your best to stay on a consistent eating schedule! SO IMPORTANT as we often we get caught up in our work or day & forget to nourish our bodies which in turn nourishes our MINDS.
Make sure you go outside at least 1 time a day for a long walk or quick stroll, don’t over exert yourself (obviously) but allow yourself some fresh air and sunshine.
If you’re someone who likes structure - wake up at a consistent time, get as much of your to do list done as you can done (be realistic), be mindful of social scrolling, & use time purposefully.
Remember to recharge and regroup - we are globally going through something that has NEVER happened in our own lives before; it’s okay to rest and take a day or a few hours to yourself.
YES this is a great time to be productive! But don’t put so much pressure on yourself that you forget to rest and find balance in this craziness.
This does NOT need to be the most productive weeks of your life, you do not need to find the cure for cancer, or make the most ground breaking artistic discovery - if you do: AMAZING! But don’t compare your work to others - only try to one up yourself.
Listen to your favorite song and blast it in the morning, have a dance party, shake out the nerves, and put a smile on your face. I promise it makes a difference, and FUN FACT: dancing releases endorphins so naturally you’ll be in a better mood & more productive because of it- huge win win!
REMINDER THAT THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WORK FROM HOME 2 WEEK STINT. If you are someone who already worked from home before this - remember that this is so much different than our every day work, and that’s okay! It’s okay to feel confused and stressed, and it’s okay to not understand those feelings because “we worked from home already - whats the difference?” Use this time as a pause and a reset. Continue working as you did but be patient and gentle with yourself and your emotions that may arise during this confusing time.
Call a co-worker or peer to hold you accountable and to maintain a sense of community! We’ll get through this together.
