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Home should be a place of comfort, cheer, and inspiration.. And it’s likely not the case due to the current situation we’re all in. I’m right there with you! I’ve been WFH (working from home) successfully for years, but this past month has turned my world and schedule upside down. Kids are home from school, babies are relentlessly requiring attention, and it seems impossible to keep the house in order with a never ending tug to clean and tidy up (did I mention kids are home from school?) If we thought multitasking before the lockdown was taking a toll on us, this is a whole new level.

This season we are in has put an emphasis on making sure we’re intentional with our surroundings, how they make us feel, and how we can stay healthy if only to spare our sanity when the days blend together and we want to pull our hair out. Because of this, it’s never been more important to pay attention to how your home can bring you light and happiness when we need it most.

Working from home is a regular thing for a large number of people, ourselves included, but WFH is new for corporate America. I think we can all agree working from the sofa or dining table surrounded by clutter and distractions only gets us so far. Personally, I find myself frazzled and frustrated that I'm not being productive enough each day if I don’t create a “zone” for a few hours of solid efficiency. We gathered some inspiration over on our Pinterest board for ideas.

Just taking 5 minutes to tidy up, light a candle, and grab a fresh cup of coffee makes a world of difference before I open up my emails in the morning. (bonus mood booster if I can snip something from the garden and add it to a bud vase in my workspace!) I’ve seen quite a few blogs sharing tips and advice on WFH with and without kids around so I thought I’d share the tidbits that stuck with me the most in hopes it will resonate with you too.

Set a schedule and intentions for the day. Nothing will make you feel more defeated than discovering you’ve spent 2 hours watching the news, aimlessly cleaning here and there, and scrolling Instagram to catch up on what's new, and by the time you’re ready to start working it’s almost lunch time. (ahem, guilty!) By creating a simple breakdown of the day with tasks you’d like to accomplish, you’re holding yourself accountable to work away at it as you can. I wrote a blog post to share my real life schedule these past few weeks here.
Create a work zone. If you have a formal desk and chair, bonus points for you! But for lots of us, there simply isn’t room with our tiny HI sq footage so instead, keep your office supplies in a nice box or tray and you can bring it around the house as you see fit. You can easily hide it away when you’re done working. Separation makes a big difference in maintaining mental health when stuck at home.
Add something soothing. Candles, essential oils, pillows or throw blankets? Any of these work to create a calmer work environment at home.
Bring the outside in. We love our plant friends! Invite them in and see how adding them next to your work space and around your home can improve your overall mood.
Connect with other people. Check in with your friends and family a few times throughout the day. I have multiple group chats that keep me updated, make me laugh, and give me that happy boost I need to smile despite everything going on.
Get outside! I love a good sunset walk to stretch out and move my body with the family. Not only do your eyes need a break, but getting some fresh air benefits your mind, body, and soul.
Show and give grace. We’re all in this together, meaning if you’re having a hard time balancing kids running a ruckus and trying to put on a professional face like you’ve got it all together, remember you’re not alone. We’re all trying our best to navigate this time so offering help or words of encouragement if someone needs it can go a long way.
Unplug and de-screen every night. Limit your time dedicated to work making sure not to slip into a 15 hour work day. It’s easy to do if you’re not careful! You need to turn off work and “come home” mentally and physically each night. Put your laptop away and out of sight.