It used to be that anytime someone heard me say that I worked form home, they would immediately retort with something akin to … “Oh, that must be so nice! You get to work in your pajamas!” But COVID changed all that. People everywhere understand how hard it is to work from home. They understand that finding balance is both key to success and almost impossible.
The truth is that working from home is hard. There are a million things happening at one time: kids, work, cooking, cleaning, errands, discipline, playing, meetings. It’s like working in a tornado from which you can never escape. There are no breaks. There is no daycare. There is no help. It’s constant and exhausting and an absolute mess. But it’s also rewarding.
It’s constant chaos, that’s true. And sometimes you just need a little escape. But it’s not all bad. There are definite perks to doing life this way, more on your own terms than not. And if you’re thinking of making the switch permanently or you’re stuck for a few more months, there are some things you may want to keep in mind to make it easier.
- Get Organized – The more organized you are, the easier the process will be. Stick to as much of a schedule as you can. Schedule wake-ups, meetings, work time, meals. Everything. It will keep you sane.
- Prioritize – Everything will not get done. That’s OK. Choose your priorities and keep moving forward.
- Let Go of Expectations – You’re not going to be dressed to the nines every day. Some days, you’ll be lucky to get a shower. But if you know this and accept it, life is a lot more pleasant.
- Make Time for Yourself – It doesn’t matter if it’s just 5 minutes first thing in the morning, that alone time will save you. It will allow you a deep breath and a chance to get centered. Take it.
- Accept What Is – Life isn’t going to work exactly the way you see it in your head. The key is to accept this, roll with the punches, and move on.
We’ve all gotten a little taste of working from home. Some thrived. Some were counting the days until they could go back. No matter where you fall, we have to work with what is. Use your time at home with intention. Be present. You’ll go back to the office someday, or maybe you’ll make this work so well that you won’t have to. Either way, this too shall pass. And the experience gained will be priceless.