Luoana’s WORKING FROM HOME Tips

Working from home has its perks (sleep-ins, no commute, can work in your comfies) but it can also become quite challenging if you don’t have a game plan.

 So, the novelty has worn off. You’re WFH and going slightly mental—the new normal for those of us fortunate enough with jobs that you can work remotely.  As we practice social distancing and navigate through these changes together, it’s important to do our best to have a positive mindset, stay calm, find this time we are given positive in a way. Working from home has it pros. It’s great for maximising productivity (no more distracting flirting sessions with cute Alex from accounting), integrating a better work/life balance (less commute) and squeezing in a workout (come on, you have the time). However, all of this requires self-discipline. Without co-workers holding you accountable, it can be difficult to stay on task; now is the time to implement a structure that works for you

 

 

Uptown Style has been a remote company since we launched, and I’ve worked in and out of my home for years, so my team and I have a solid decade between ourselves of working-from-home experience to share. Below, I’m walking you through simple ways to remain productive throughout the day and how to adapt to a new daily routine.

SHOP HOME SUPPLIES 

1. Stick to business as usual as far as waking up and making your bed, washing your face, etc. But past that, start a new morning routine. For me, after I finish my normal a.m. tasks (bed made, teeth brushed, face washed, and moisturiser applied) I shut my bedroom door and I try not to go in there throughout the my “office hours” to avoid the “home feeling” other wise I get lazy or distracted. After that, I make a cup of tea or coffee, set up the laptop at my desk, turn on a diffuser or light a candle, and I dive into emails and messages from the team.

2. I love this part, get dressed and out of your pajamas. Sure, you can let it slide a few days, but you’ll start to feel stir crazy if you stay in your pjs for too long, get ready as you would everyday, wear something comfy, but step out of your lazy clothes.

3. Keeping a schedule is vital for WFH, so make your morning coffee or tea, check in with your parents and family, and then stick to your regular working hours.

4. If you don’t have a home office, designate a specific area in your home or flat to work in as a (temporary) office space. Ideally, somewhere that catches some sunlight and you can see out, so you can remain sane.

5. Take breaks. Make yourself a quick lunch, work out for 20min to get the body moving, or if you can get some fresh air (while social distancing ofc).

6. Keep normal office hours. It’s easy to jump right into emails, Slack notifications, group threads, and so on the moment you wake up, but be sure to set boundaries with yourself regarding your hours of availability. The same goes for signing off in the afternoon—close your laptop, and if you need to, turn off email notifications during the evening so you can decompress and live life as normal as possible.

7. Aside from Zoom meetings and conference calls, working from home can get lonely. Carve out time to call your friends and family either in the morning or when you’re through working and check in on each other.

We also crowdsourced tips from our Uptown Style community—because at the end of the day, we’re all in this together. Here’s how our readers are adjusting to WFH.