Working From Home Isn't Fun

Honestly, I feel very lonely. I feel like I'm not doing enough, easily distracted, unproductive, and incredibly stressed about everything OTHER than work and the task at hand. In an effort to be as healthy, happy, and productive as possible I need to set some boundaries and some daily goals and stick to them. 

Here they are. 

Get dressed. Unless you genuinely feel your best in your pajamas, get dressed in a new, clean outfit each morning. Do your hair and makeup if you want. Just show up for yourself like you would for anyone else.

Go on a walk. I tend to put a little more effort into getting ready if I know that the rest of the world will see me—so, after you get ready, go for a walk around the block. It’ll wake you up, give you a few minutes of sunshine, and improve your mood before you sign on for the day.

Take regular breaks. Set an alarm every hour for a stretch break, a coffee or water break, or for another one of those around-the-block strolls. Even if it means your work day lasts an extra 30 minutes, your body will thank you.

Reach out. Say hello to a friend or family member once a day. Even if it’s just a quick text, try to connect with another person outside of work.

Get social. Plan regular social events with friends in your city. If you don’t have any to start with, plan biweekly or monthly evenings where you disconnect from work and go to a workshop, book club, or networking event for something you’re interested in. It sounds simple but it can be a challenge for work-from-homers: make friends. You can do it!

And yes, exercise. I’ve seen it in every self-help article ever written, but it’s such a valuable addition to a productive daily routine. It can be a walk with your neighbors, a yoga class with friends, or an intense sprint workout with your running buddies—just get out and move. For those of us who work from home, it can be helpful to exercise with friends, so that you can get a one-two punch of activity and socializing.

Surround yourself with things you love—plants, candles, prints, fresh flowers, etc. Build a positive space for yourself and take time to pull together a cheerful playlist or an inspiring podcast queue to get you through the day. Have a cozy mug filled with your favorite organic tea or coffee and a giant water bottle to remind you to stay hydrated. This part is all about indulging your senses with happy things, without causing too many distractions.

And finally, don’t be afraid to work from home outside of the house. Coworking spaces are popping up everywhere, but those can sometimes be inaccessible or expensive. So, if you can swing it, pop over to a local coffee shop each morning (or even once a week) to tackle certain projects. If you can’t afford a latte every day, head to the library and plug in to work for a few hours. You may even have to—gulp—get in the car to do this, but getting out of your house or apartment is worth the occasional commute.