One of my biggest goals for years was to get out of the office and work from home. I had been dipping my toes in for a while – working while traveling and then splitting the week between home and office – then last year that goal finally came true when I moved from Atlanta, GA to Australia. While I am someone who honestly loves alone time and would never go back to the office life, some days I do get a little stir crazy, and sometimes even just crazy. Here are some tips for keeping the cray cray side at bay when you work from home full-time.
Sometimes opt for a phone call instead of email.
Sometimes opt for a phone call instead of email.We live in a time where you really never HAVE to verbally talk to anyone. We can handle almost anything via email these days which is great, but it can also be a little more isolating when you work from home and never actually SPEAK to someone (besides your dog). While my dog Luna is the most adorable coworker ever and she totally gets me, I will sometimes jump on a call instead of emailing someone just to mix it up. It also allows an opportunity for more casual conversations to occur so you can feel a little more in touch.
Get dressed.
Believe me I have been there so many times.- you get up, started working, and before you know it it’s 5pm and you’re still in PJs. Then you wonder if it’s even worth it to change at all. I swear 75% of my wardrobe feels useless since I started working 100% from home. Regardless I still feel way more refreshed and on top of things when I have showered and gotten dressed for the day. Now when I say ‘get dressed’ I am not saying dress like you would be going to an office or something, I’m not totally crazy. Just you know, put on a fresh pair of yoga pants and a clean top. Maybe even brush your hair.
Actually try to use your other clothes during down time.
As I just mentioned now that I work from home full-time majority of my clothes seem to remain untouched. My laundry consists of tank tops, sports bras, cutoff shorts and yoga pants. It’s easy to fall into the habit of ALWAYS dressing like this, even when you’re grabbing some food with your man or running errands on a Saturday. Make an effort to brush the dust of those cute tops and dresses and WEAR them still. Not only will they not go to waste sitting in your closet but it’ll make you feel good.
Join a gym with a group structure.
A few months ago I joined Crossfit and I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed it- for the obvious health and fitness aspects but also for the social side. At a regular gym most people get in, put their headphones on, knock out a workout and they’re gone. Even some group classes are so regimented they don’t allow time to interact with others. Crossfit usually partners you up for workouts so you get that face to face connection we crave when we work from home. I wasn’t sure I wanted to get into Crossfit because it seemed intimidating, but it’s honestly a lot of fun. I now go 3 times a week and I always look forward to getting out of the house, having a few chats and boosting my endorphins.
Switch up your environment.
I work best when I am at my desk in my home office, but sometimes I just get sick of it. I get tired of sitting in the same place for days on end and it affects my concentration. If you start to feel this way, mix it up! Work from the dining table or get outside with the laptop. Unfortunately working from coffee shops is just not a thing here in Australia like it is in the U.S. (I guess it makes sense with internet being spotty and expensive here), but if I was back in the U.S. I would definitely be venturing out to a local coffee shop to do some work. Changing your environment can also spark new ideas and creativity. One of my goals for 2018 is to get involved with a coworking space I could work from whenever I start feeling restless. It’s also a great way to meet people who may have a similar lifestyle you can relate to.
Shut OFF the computer.
It’s easy to let work creep into all hours of your day, but setting aside time to be work free is so essential. I typically work until Stephen gets home, then we spend a few hours talking about our days, cooking, enjoying dinner and then just having some down time together before bed. I may jump back on the laptop later briefly if it’s truly necessary, but for the most part my evenings are set aside for being present and to let myself rest.
And speaking of shutting off… it’s about that time of day! Time to shut the door to my office and not return until tomorrow AM. Do you have any tips for staying sane while working completely from home? Have you ever felt stir crazy or a little isolated when making the change from office to home? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!
