Right alongside the rest of the world, Covid-19 has shaken my life up in more ways than one. I have to laugh when I think of my last day in the office with the rest of the Eleven Eleven team – we put a plan in place for the following two weeks, waved goodbye to each other, and left everything, completely untouched, sitting on our desks. Little did we know that nearly six months later we’d still be working from the privacy of our own homes. And while I’m incredibly grateful to be able to work each day from the safety of my own little bubble, I’ll admit – it’s been a struggle!
If you asked me before the pandemic hit, whether or not I considered myself someone who might enjoy working remotely, I would have said absolutely not. I thrive in a collaborative environment, chatting with my colleagues over cups of coffee and bouncing ideas off one another during Monday morning brainstorm meetings. Plus, there’s something to be said about getting ready each morning and setting out to a destination other than your living room (What even are jeans? Eyeliner? I don’t know her…).
That being said, I’ve surprised myself in my solitude! From the first few weeks in quarantine, learning to navigate the ups and downs of the pandemic itself, alongside the realization that working from home could very well be my “new normal” (yep, I said it.), I’ve built a schedule for myself that’s kept me on track and my mind clear (as clear as it can be!) in the process ––
7:30am – Feet on the floor, coffee in my hand.
At the beginning of quarantine, I’ll admit – I pushed my wakeup time back a bit! That’s one of the best perks to working from home, right!? A little extra time to doze in the morning! But after a week or so, I already found that the extra hour of sleep made a big difference – and not in a positive way. I was feeling sluggish and having trouble focusing. So I moved my alarm back to it’s usual wake up call. I typically get up, come downstairs, make a cup of coffee, and open all my windows to let some sunshine in. It’s become the perfect, most peaceful way to ease into my day. I usually spend my extra time reading a book or calling my mom to say hello before I dive into the workday.
9:00am – Log on and let’s go.
While it’s easy to be more lackadaisical with time while you’re on your own, I’ve found that keeping my hours of operation the same as they were in the office has helped me to maintain structure. Right at 9am, I open my planner, turn on my laptop, and check my inbox. Our team has daily check-ins at 9:30, and this extra 30 minutes helps me to set the tone – and my schedule – for the day. I spend this early part of my morning answering any time sensitive emails that may have come in overnight, peeking at my calendar to see what calls and deadlines I have on the horizon, and checking my to-do list to see what’s on the day’s agenda. Even if I don’t get too much done, preparing my mind for the day ahead allows me to feel on top of the items I know I need to tackle.
12:00pm – Lunch break (what’s that!?).
Something I have been guilty of throughout my entire professional career is skipping a lunch break! Now don’t misunderstand me – I have never missed a lunch in my life! But hunching over my computer while I mow down a salad is usually my M.O. During quarantine though, I’ve found it’s been important for my mental health – and my productivity overall – to truly step away from my computer throughout the day. Whether it’s just moving to the living room or sitting outside to eat my lunch, taking a pause for a walk with my husband, or getting a 30 minute workout in, lunch breaks have become a crucial part of my daily routine. When I log back on after, I find myself feeling refreshed and ready to take on the next part of the day.
5:00pm – Log the eff off!
Okay, this one is important. While PR is almost always an around-the-clock job, and I am always an email or call away for any client who might need me, logging off when the day is done (if you can!) is absolutely key! It can be very easy to let work bleed into every other aspect of life when you’re working from home. But work/life balance is essential, even more so when work and life are so intertwined –– I am after all working in my dining room! That being said, I try to shut my laptop at five on the dot whenever I can. While I always keep tabs on my inbox (I am far too type-A to ignore that bad boy!), unless it’s time sensitive, I’ve learned that anything that comes in after five can typically wait until the next day –– and will be right there waiting for me when I log on again in the morning!
While these tips might not work for everyone, they have truly kept me sane during the shift to kitchen table workdays! Other gems I’m picked up along the way? ––
Limit your intake of news! It’s not changing that fast, people – turn CNN off, close out of Twitter, put down the New York Times. All the important information will be waiting for you when you come back, and for me, it’s been helpful to keep my news ingestion to a minimum.
Stay active! Focusing on keeping my body healthy – whether it be through nourishing food, intense workouts, or calming yoga – has really aided in keeping my mind healthy as well.
Feng shui all day! My house has become my office, my coffee shop, my movie theater, my everything – and staring at the same four walls, day in and day out, has inspired me to refresh my space! Buying a few new candles, maybe some prints to add pops of color to the wall, or an actual desk if you have the space, can make you feel like a brand new person!
BREATHE! Read a book, make a cup of tea, go for a walk, give your pet a head rub – whatever helps you to zen out and feel a little more peace in your day, do that! We’re all going through a lot right now. Do whatever it is you need to do to carve out space for calm in your day, and make sure you do it regularly!