A Work From Home Self Care List So You Can Be More Productive And Happy!
Working at home is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it’s flexible and freedom but on the other it’s isolating and distracting!
It’s important to be aware of how you’re feeling and take care of yourself because you’ll probably hear a lot of ‘Oh, you work from home? Must be nice!’ But you won’t hear about how lonely it can be or how unmotivated some days will feel.I’ve always had a flexible work schedule. I’ve never been the ‘sit behind a desk type.’ But 5 years ago, I became a stay at home mom and last year, I decided to work from home. So I basically don’t leave the house unless it’s to go to the grocery store or the odd get together with family or friends. I sometimes go 4 days without talking to anyone other than my husband or daughter.
Whether you’re a stay at home mom, running a home based business, a freelancer or a blogger like myself, working from home has its challenges. Like trying to focus on work, while the housework piles up right before your very eyes (how many loads of cups and towels can one kid go through… that wasn’t meant to be a challenge).
So how do you stay focused and productive and avoid loneliness and distractions, while working from home?
Work From Home Hacks
Socialize outside of work. If you don’t get much or any human interaction at work, socializing after work is super important for your wellbeing. It can be easy once you’ve spent so much time alone, to get used to being alone and forget that you need people in your life! Don’t let your friendships and other relationships fade away. Make the time! It’s one of those things that you don’t know how much you needed until you do it!
Join a coworking space. This is a place where remote workers can go and work in an office environment! You can meet other people like you, network, have lunch together, brainstorm ideas etc. You can find a coworking space in most cities. Check out https://wifitribe.co/blog/find-coworking-space/ to find one near you!
Get outside. When it’s nice out, take your laptop and head outside to work! Go to a park, lakeside or forest and set up your little office for the afternoon! It’s amazing how much better you’ll feel just being out in nature! Everything around you is alive- the grass, the birds, the trees! So you’re not really alone!
Find your tribe! Interaction doesn’t have to be face to face. It can help just to talk to someone over the computer! Find a group of like minded homebodies and connect! Two of my favourite groups for bloggers are Bloggers Traffic Community and The Secret Tribe. There are also tons of Facebook groups for people who work from home. No one understands the struggles of working from home than other people who also work from home!
Join a group. A book club, a fitness class, dance class, photography group, volunteer program. This forces you to make socializing a priority every week!
Spend a few minutes tidying. Before you get down to business, spend a few minutes cleaning up the area around your work space so you won’t be so distracted by any clutter or mess.
Clean up before bed. If you clean up the laundry and dishes before bed, you won’t feel so overwhelmed in the morning. You’ll be more driven and work-focused! How you feel in the morning, affects your entire day!
Designate a work space. Keeping a work area set up just for work is proven to encourage productivity!
Set boundaries! It can be too tempting to become a workaholic when you are able to work anytime. And it’s hard to separate home and work when you work from home.
People have this misconception that working from home means less work. Hah! It really means you work whenever you can, which some days is right until you fall asleep! Setting boundaries to not allow yourself to work too much is important for not only you, but your family. Designate a few hours a day to do other things, not just work. And set a proper bedtime routine, so you don’t end up working too late!
Working from home can be great, as long as you keep a balance. Get outside, socialize and join a club!
haha I love the title of your article, I have have that thought in my head so many times 😀
Me… every day!! Lol
I loved all of these hacks! I’m for sure going to use some of these for myself!
Great post! Definitely saving this for later. I needed to read this. Thanks!
Stay at home mom and work from home is like double duty!!
It definitely is haha.
This is helpful Steph!!
I am freelance content writer & I am in love with my work.
As I am laying the foundation and all I don’t tend to get at the coworking space and all.
I live with my family and hence my little bro and I catch up along. It’s fresh!!
But, you know when I worked as as intern 9-5 …thou’ there were people around It felt boring and no tribe and all.. Asking all the time!! No flexibility!!
Freelancing and being a business gal is a blessing!!
And as we are building something we can take this on our shoulders too.
As you mentioned about classes I joined a German language class outside of the house…
I just don’t want to hurry in making the tribe.. It will happen eventually!!
This topic is so close to my heart because I live this lifestyle everyday which I chose with all my heart..
Would like to read more about such lifestyle…
Have a great day!!
💫
There are a lot more positives, than negatives working from home:) I am a night owl, and it’s about 10 pm here and I’m working… from my bed… in my pjs!
Wouldn’t have it any other way!
Ohh German classes! That’s fun! Learning a new language is exciting! Now you need to take a trip so you can use your new skills:)
I’m of a German background but don’t know a word of it!
P.S. I can’t wait for nice weather (I’m in Canada) so I can work outside! I’m lacking motivation being stuck indoors so much lately!
Steph
Oh that’s great!!
I feel more productive in mornings.. That’s when I finish a lot of work.
The best part is I can jump on my computer and start working the moment I wake up and plan things out.
Thou’ the business seems to be famine and feast I am honing up my negotiation skills too.
Wow!! You are from a German background..
(I am Indian) it’s around 9 AM here and the weather is cool… Very soon Indian summer will come along.. Leaving us all sweaty!
Canada is awesome! I feel you shall join a dance class…
Recently, I have taken Yoga with Adrienne challenge… It’s going well!! You need to try that..
Well, I tried making the puzzle feed but I am not much happier with it.. I guess that will take lots of practice… 🤓
Im redoing my Instagram Feed! No more Puzzle Feed! I want to be able to post on the fly and having to plan out weeks in advance wasn’t cutting it! I’m gonna do a faded out, pastel theme so it blends well with what I already have! I’m always wanting to try something new!
Indian as in native? I am native as well! I’m a mix of a lot of nationalities but I think native and German are strongest.
Yeah…. Opting for new feed and posting on a fly seems a good move..
But, I love puzzle feed coz it gives a total another mood… I hope I will figure out how to do it neat and perfectly.. (when I download the puzzle feed layout from canva once done.. It blurrs out alot)
Yes.. I am Indian.. Native.. Born n nurtured here.. 💫
I have never been to Canada.. I have lots of relatives living there.
🙌
Did you try the Canva dimensions 2300 by 6900 it should be 3 tiles wide by I think 9 tall. That’s what I use and seems to download fine! I’m sorry it’s not working for you:( I want to try and help!
This is a great post. I’ve been working from home for 12 years now and although I prefer it to going out to work in an office, or wherever, it’s not easy socially. I often only get to see my kids and hubby for days/ weeks on end. Social media is sometime my whole social life. You are right, us WAH moms must get out more.
Yyyyoooo…you are so right, Steph! I need to get out more. I think over time, I have grown so accustomed and used to living all on my own.
I’ve been officially working from home for about 10.5 years. It’s definitely had it’s moments where I miss human interaction but I don’t miss the traffic!
Great tips! Love the clean up before bed one. It’s so easy to forget to separate work and home tasks.
These are great tips. I’m always trying to make time to socialize with other working mamas as well.
As the only one in my department at work I have experience in working from home, and everyone of my colleagues is super excited about the new allowance this year brought us… have just shared this post with them (hi Laura, Martina and Timo! :D) to give them some perspective 😉
Great Post! I always set myself break times throughout the day and have a list of other tasks I need to achieve so it doesn’t send me crazy!!
I have been working from home for the last five years. Initially it was quite difficult to adjust being a very active guy otherwise. Time teaches. Nice tips.
Great tips! I love the idea of joining a coworking space! Working from home can def be tricky!
I am a stay at home/work at home mom too. I am with you on those tasks piling up in front of me. I attend to the most pressing household issue first, then get back to my online work, while the clothes ain the washer.
I have been working home for year. I am glad you said work outside (if the weather permits) because it does make a huge difference!
Clean up before bed is such a good tip. I see how it’d take the load off if I did it every night.
Yes! Some nights (like tonight) I am just too tired to bother!! I’ll regret this in the morning tho lol
You hit the nail on the head with working from home being a blessing and a curse!! haha.
I also find I have to tidy up a bit before I get to work or else I’m not productive!
I am so much more productive in a tidy environment! But at home with kids etc it’s not easy!!! have to find a balance!
Thanks for sharing. Now I know how to handle a work from home environment 🙂
https://zusettefreelancingservices.wordpress.com/
Such a great post- especially for those who are new to the idea of working for home.
There is much convenience in working from home- but we must always be careful not to be too consumed with the idea of comfort. We are still expected to be productive and we ought to have that much self-discipline to make sure this happens. Websites like https://www.therisr.com/ offer a supportive system of operation that connects employers with employees- therefore championing productivity at home.
Thanks again for this post- and I look forward to reading through your posts again soon.