One Year Working From Home: 10 Things I learned and other lessons
I’ve been working from home since the COVID pandemic hit Canada and Windsor Ontario in March of last year. This last year has been interesting, hard, unexpected, difficult and great in so many ways… I’ve learned so much and wanted to share what I learned in hopes to let others who are trying to navigate this feel like you have someone in your corner that understands what’s going on and how you’re feeling.
10 Things I learned:
I liked getting dressed up and ready for the day every day for work. Putting on a pair of pants and a killer pair of shoes made me feel like I could take on whatever the day had in store for me.
I actually liked the mundane office chitchat. I once thought I HATED this. I genuinely miss having conversations with people about the weather or the drive into work.
Wearing sweat pants is NOT going to make me want to work a full day. It also won’t make me feel more productive or put me in that work mindset.
Cleaning my office space makes me feel a little more put together and helps clear my mind.
Getting up early starting my day by having a cup of coffee and breakfast is so important.
PODCASTS. Nothing else to add here but a conversation without actually having a conversation, SIGN ME UP!! Some of my favourite podcasts to listen to are Office Ladies, Mike on Much, My Favorite Murder, And That’s Why We Drink, and so many more!
Leaving my office at the end of the day and closing the door helps create space from my work life. I still have to remind myself not to check the dashboard or check my emails but the little bit of separation does help.
Something I started doing in the last few months is getting my workout done in the morning is so helpful to my mindset, my energy and helps me feel like I’ve been able to accomplish something.
When I started working from home I decorated my office (more) and added things that made me happy. Photos, crystals, candles, an organized calendar, you know office things. Something I also did at Halloween and Christmas was decorate my Zoom background to make me feel a little festive while working and sitting in meetings. This helped me feel less like the days of working from home are all blended together.
Walking to the furthest bathroom in the house makes me feel like I’m not just sitting still for hours on end. I also get up and do some stretches throughout the workday too so I’m moving a bit more than I actually am.
5 Things I Don’t Like About Working From Home
I don’t move or get enough steps in a day
I’m a little less creative sometimes because I’m not going out and giving my mind a break for awhile
Going to work and going to my office isn’t the same action. Going to the office means stopping for a coffee, traffic, SHOES, jackets, checking the weather report, etc. Going to my office means walking down a set of stairs and turning on the lights and sitting down and getting to work.
I don’t get dressed up as often. My typical work outfits now are leggings, a comfy shirt or long sports bra, slippers and a cardigan or flannel. When I was working in an office I’d wear cute dress pants, a nice top and either a jacket or a sweater of some kind to wear when I get cold, a nice pair of shoes, hair and makeup on, and a big purse to hold all the things I need for a day at the office.
I’m lonely throughout the day. Working alone for 8+ hours 5 days a week is so lonely. Sometimes that walk to the kitchen to grab a water or another coffee meant I got to leave my desk and see other people. Now that little break means more alone time, more time sitting with myself and more time thinking about work.
Now not everything is bad about working from home but not all days are peachy and sunshine. It’s a lot of reminding yourself that you’re done working and you can have a break. I’m one of those people that go headfirst into projects and work. I’m all in all the time. Now that my home life and work-life are in the same place it’s hard to remind myself that work is part of my life and not my whole life. Work is just part of my daily routine, it’s not what I do from sunrise to sunset. I know I’m not the only one that feels this way, I’ve had many conversations with people who are in the same boat as me. I hope those who are in the same boat are feeling a little less alone while they’re working in a room by themselves. Let me know what you’re tips are for working from home! I’d love to know what works and what doesn’t work for you.
- Liv