FIRST & FOREMOST- I want to say that I hope everyone is getting through this tough time the best they can. Times are scary & uncertain. I feel you, I see you, & I am so so so aware how lucky I am that I can work from home.

There are so many people out there who do not have that luxury. They either work a job that can not be done at home (so much love for the service industry right now) OR they need to work because their job is something our society needs (we appreciate you). If you are working from home right now, I know the social isolation is rough, but please try & count your blessings in this time.

NOW- here are some tips I have acquired over the many ears of working from home… with a little bit of a quarantine twist… cause working from home def. hits different when you actually can’t leave the home!

WORK FROM HOME TIPS WHILE YOU DO THE AT HOME HUSTLE!

1. stick to a calendar/to-do list:

this one is especially crucial for me, but even more so now that we are quarantined. I think it is so important to still try & schedule out your day to some extent. Sure, you can be a little “looser” now… but it’s just a good practice to keep up & will make your days feel more structured. I use the AWESOME NOTE app on my phone as well as Google Calendars to schedule and color code my days. I also created a template on my Instagram stories that will help keep you accountable daily. It’s saved under the stories highlight labeled “templates” & you can screenshot and use it to share with your friends your daily plan :).

2. keep up with your routines:

whether you’re new to working from home or always have done it, try to keep your routines intact. Have breakfast, stop for lunch, call some friends, do your workout (although let’s be real, that’s advice I need to take haha!), & just try to keep your routines going as you normally would. This will keep your productivity levels up & help things feel just a tad bit more normal.

3. have a dedicated work space:

the first thing you’ll learn when working from home- distractions are literally your enemy. I get distracted SO EASILY, mainly with cleaning, so it’s smart to have a space set where you can focus. I have a desk set up where I can close the door & really focus if need be. It kinda, sorta, just a teeny tiny bit, feels like you’re “going to the office” when you have that space for you to focus.

4. have set “hours”:

Just because you’re home, does not mean you should work all damn day. Similar to keeping a schedule, keep your hours set. Some of you may have to work 9-5 with the rest of your office now working from home, but if you have more freedom, make your hours whatever you want them to be- just make sure to have a start and and an end time. LEMME TELL YA- it’s easy to just keep working if you don’t set some boundaries for yourself.

5. get some fresh air & take screen breaks:

IDK about you guys, but I am needing some fresh air atleast once an hour right now. Something about being quarantined makes me so much more needy for fresh air. Take a break from the screen (& make sure you are wearing blue light glasses lol) and go outside. Do a quickie workout, lay in the sun, walk around the block, smell the rain, whatever it is- that fresh air is so important to not only stay sane but keeping your circadian rhythms on track.

6. stay connected:

I am used to being isolated because I have worked from home for the past 10 years, but if this is new for you, you may start missing the interactions with your co-workers. Suggest your office set up a group chat or a virtual brainstorming meeting just to keep your toes in the game & feel connected. Or you can always FaceTime a friend on your “lunch break” & have lunch together for an hour. I don’t think I need to stress the importance of human interaction, but ya- it’s crucial. Luckily I have Zack who I now have to social distance from atleast an hour a day. KIDDING KIDDING- I love having his company but I also know If we can make it through this without driving each other crazy, we are def ready for marriage LOL.