This year, I have worked longer remotely than I have in the office. This boggles my mind. It’s been over 140 days since I have been working remotely. I had to double check the math on that because it seems so surreal, but it is indeed true. As I am sure it has been for everyone, this year has been a rollercoaster of emotions and new experiences. I am very fortunate that I have been able to keep my job during this time- an unsettling gratefulness that I acknowledge as I watch friends, family and millions of other Americans navigate unemployment. While I have adjusted to this strange “new normal” brought about by a country that prioritizes capitalism over humanitarianism, I take a step back to see what this brought me. I have learned so much during these last few months about myself, my work ethic, and learning to make the most out of the everyday.
Whether it’s by my own social media addiction or just the fact that working from home brings about natural distractions, I have found myself getting distracted more and more while working from home. It doesn’t help that my work desk is two feet away from my bed. The inability to separate my work life from my home life has been driving me up the wall as I stare at my desk before falling asleep, thinking of all the tasks I need to do in the morning. Having been through this tedious process for almost six months now, I have found small ways that help me avoid these distractions.
Really Wake Up
It’s easy to wake up fifteen minutes before you start work when your commute is now five steps from your bed. Don’t fall into that temptation. Really waking up before starting the work day has been so beneficial for me. Get dressed, drink coffee, go on a short walk, take some quiet time in the morning to really focus on your body and mindset of the day.
Wear Shoes
This is a strange one that has helped me a lot. I don’t normally wear shoes in the house. However, while working from the confines of my small bedroom, I do my best to recreate a professional desk space and environment. This includes wearing shoes. It makes me feel like I am prepared and awaiting a task. I’m ready to go anywhere at any time, and having shoes on makes me feel grounded. Trust me. It works.
The 40/20
I came across a TikTok talking about the 40/20 rule. Spend 40 minutes with no distractions, then 20 minutes away from your computer. While I can’t always afford to take 20 minutes away from my computer, I have used this 40/20 guide to help me center myself when I find my mind wandering from home distractions. I will set a timer on my phone for 40 minutes, and place my phone across the room. When the timer goes off, I allow myself a few moments to check my phone, walk around the apartment to get some blood flowing, grab some water, etc. Breaking the days up like this has allowed my 40 minutes of focus to feel much more productive. I wish I could remember the person who suggested this to thank them. It has been a real help knowing that I’m not the only one needs time away from the screen.
Hour Blocking
This is something new I recently discovered that has really changed the way I look at my work schedule. Again, TikTok has taught me more productivity tricks- who said social media can’t be beneficial? Hour blocking starts with you writing out your to-do list for the day. In a second column, write out the work day, blocked out hour by hour. Slowly you can fit your to-do list into the blocked out hours. This makes your tasks feel less overwhelming. It allows more time for smaller remedial tasks in between, without feeling like you’re letting your day get away from you. I’m still working on perfecting this method, but so far, it has been a great help.
Build the Soundtrack to Your Day
Music has such control over my emotions and is something I have always loved. I intentionally find music to help me focus and create my day. By wearing my headphones as I work, the distractions from my roommates and working from home slip away to the cadence of the film scores I constantly play. Film scores, lo-fi remixes, classical piano- I usually find clarity in wordless songs but I know it is different for everyone. I just love to feel dramatic as I type out emails while the sounds of Hans Zimmer build up around me, making me feel like I am the main character in a coming of age story. It’s those little moments.
Stay in Touch
While working remotely, it is easy to fall out of touch with your coworkers that you used to see throughout the day, exchanging small quips in the hallway. Those small moments have been missed the most- something I hadn’t expected to encounter. I have made it intentional to chat with someone from my office everyday about non-work related things. Sending a cute gif, or talking about each others weekends helps me feel like I am still a part of a team; a part of something bigger than just myself holed up in my bedroom at a makeshift work station.
I acknowledge my privilege having kept my job during a pandemic that has torn the country and the American workforce apart. I am grateful for the security it has brought me in a time where most people are not lucky enough to experience that. I am making the most of each moment, and continually working to better myself while working from home, trying to make this time count for something. I am far from perfect, but I want to continue to grow and better myself while navigating an unknown terrain built by covid. Here's to hoping this list continues to grow as I continue working from home during the coming weeks...months...years????
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