We are in the up-slope of the COVID-19 virus here in the US, which means social distancing and self-quarantine is vital for the health of our country. Schools are closed, which means kids are home. Many companies are mandating that employees work from home for the foreseeable future.
I have worked from home part-time for almost two years now, so I thought I might be able to provide some insight into what has worked for me! The transition can be a hard one, and takes some self-discipline. Below are a few tips:
- Establish a morning routine before the “work day” starts (and before the kids wake up!) Take this time to set your day up for success. Get your body moving, get organized, and make a realistic priority list for the day. You might even be able to enjoy a cup of coffee in silence! A productive morning routine will almost always set your day off on a positive foot.
- Get yourself “dressed and ready.” This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to wear the same outfit you would wear to the office, but I do think it’s important to get out of your pajamas! I almost always put at least a little bit of makeup on every day too. Not because I care what I look like when I’m at home with no one else 🙂 I do this because when I feel good and more confident, that carries over into my work and my overall attitude for the day.
- Make a loose schedule for the day, and practice time blocking. This is especially useful if your kids are home with you when you’re working from home. It’s okay to have a couple of hours throughout the day to dedicate to some educational screen time because at the end of the day, sometimes there is no other way to get things done. Don’t give yourself a guilt trip, don’t let anyone make you feel shameful about it. It’s just the reality of this difficult time of self-isolation. Be smart about the way you approach it. Find resources that are educational for their screen time. And make sure you’re really addressing your PRIORITIES during those times. A sample schedule for the day might look something like this:
- 6am: Wake up, get moving, check emails, make a priority list for the day.
- 7:30(ish): Kids wake up. Go potty, get dressed for the day, brush teeth, wash hands, make beds, quick clean up of their rooms, throw a load of laundry in.
- 8-9: Unload dishwasher, breakfast, coffee, breakfast cleanup, wipe down counter tops.
- 10-11:30: Learning/creative time. This might be a chunk of time that you can check in with work and get a few things done. Remember that free/independent play is a GREAT way for kids to learn! You don’t necessarily have to have an entire curriculum focus during this time. One of my favorite bloggers put together an amazing list of free online learning resources HERE.
- 11:30: Cleanup from creative time. Tidy up the house, switch laundry over. Add another load to the washer if needed.
- 12: Lunch time, potty time.
- 1pm: Nap/rest time. This is another time that you might be able to get some work done! Even if your child doesn’t nap, encourage them to rest in some way, whether it be in their bedroom, on the couch, etc.
- 3pm: Potty, snack, play outside if you can! Get some fresh air and vitamin D. This is a really good time for you to fully try to disconnect and take a break for a bit if you can. Taking breaks when working from home is really important! It’s easy to feel the need to be “working” from the second you open your eyes until the second your head hits the pillow. Schedule/allow time for breaks.
- 4pm: Come in for some relaxation/tech time. Check in on work while they chill for a bit, fold laundry.
- 5pm: Cleanup/dance party to some fun music!
- 5:30: Dinner prep. Kids can help, or do some artwork or reading.
- 6pm: Eat dinner together.
- 7pm: Dinner cleanup, clean kitchen, load/run dishwasher, baths, brush teeth.
- 8pm: Bedtime routine with kids. Once they’re asleep, check in with work/wrap things up if you need to.
- 9pm: Wind down with a TV show or a book, do your night time skin care routine, and occasionally remember to do something special for yourself like a mask or painting your nails 🙂 Get to bed early. Getting a good night’s rest is one of the best ways to ensure a productive/patient following day!
- Be intentional about tidying up throughout the day. You’ll notice I’ve included quite a few notes of this in the schedule above. I truly think that a somewhat clean environment is crucial to being clear-minded and focused. Otherwise, the clutter and mess is another thing that will become a distraction and make your feel overwhelmed.
- Be realistic about your priorities/expectations with yourself and with your boss. During this time, I think honest communication will be so key for a lot of companies adjusting to their employees working from home. When in doubt, ask the question. When in doubt, be transparent about your work load. Every company is going to have to work together to get through this and open dialog will be a critical part of everyone’s success.
- Create a work space that feels decluttered, organized, cozy and welcoming. Having your task work spread all over the house in a disorganized manner is not going help you be more productive/efficient with your time. Even if you don’t have an office (or even a desk), you can get creative. Order some file folders/organization items online. Get a task lamp to add some extra coziness. Find a candle or plant that you love. Buy some new pens. I know it sounds nerdy, but it can make all the difference if you feel excited (but also relaxed) to work in your own little space!
- Be transparent with your spouse, and find a way you guys can work together. These are unprecedented times, but neither of you should feel like you have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Communicate openly about how you can lend a hand to each other. Give each other grace when the days are stressful, one of you is on edge, or kids start testing your patience. Remember that you’re a team, and you have to find a way to make it through this together. A test like this can really strengthen your relationship if you approach it with that frame of mind.
- Socialize with your coworkers/colleagues! Just because we are quarantined doesn’t mean you have to completely isolate yourself from the people you’re used to seeing every day. We are so lucky to live in a time when we are all so connected without the need for face-to-face interaction. Send a text, pick up the phone, Facetime, have a meeting over video chat if you can.
- Give yourself grace, and don’t be too hard on yourself (or your team members for that matter). Remember that the whole world is in this together, navigating something we’ve never been through before. We are all human. We are all uncomfortable. But remember, some of the best work comes from being pushed outside our comfort zone!
If you’re feeling stressed or anxious about transitioning from an office to working from home, especially if your kids are home too, YOU’RE NOT ALONE! It might not be easy, but it’s temporary. Remember to breathe, and take things one day at a time. There will be a silver lining and we will learn so many important/useful lessons from this experience.
Stay positive. Show up. Do your best. Enjoy having an excuse to be in the comfort of your home, and having more time with your children than usual. It might seem like a distraction at times, but realistically keeping them safe and healthy should be our #1 priority right now. I realize that also means being able to provide for them, so finding ways to be as efficient as possible balancing work/being a homeschooling stay-at-home-parent is so important.
Sending love, healthy and positive vibes to you and your families! If there’s anything else I do to help make this transition easier on any of you, please do not hesitate to reach out.
XO
