My Top 5 Work from Home Tips

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Love my hoops? They've quickly become a frequently-worn fave of mine, and I know you'll love them too. You can snag a pair for yourself HERE!

{1} Wear a comfortable, yet put together outfit (and add some light makeup to complete the look! FYI - My quarantine makeup routine will be on the blog next week, but will be uploaded to Instastories today, so be sure to follow along here) - I personally love to wear my lululemon "align" leggings, or these amazon dupes (AMAZING DEAL, btw!), along with one of my Barefoot Dreams cardigans. I'll share more about my obsession with their brand at a later point, but if you've been on the fence, go buy something now! You will not regret it. Below are a few of my top sales picks!

{2} Create a "homey" office space - Regardless of where we're working in our home, we're still working, right? I know my days tend to be just as stressful, if not more-so now, because of our inability to connect and discuss matters in-person. Seeing images of those I love, near and far, give me a sense of peace. Add some of your favorite pictures, a blanket and/or candles to the area, if not already there, to make yourself feel at ease during the day.

{3} Keep your desk clutter-free - I consider myself very fortunate to have a designated home office. Since we had the extra space (for now) and I worked remotely fairly often prior to the pandemic, it was a no-brainer when we moved into our house; however, many of my friends and co-workers do not have the same luxury. I recommend choosing an area in your home that makes you feel happy (see tip 2), but provides for a flat, desk-like surface, such as a countertop or dining table. The first week of quarantine, I actually worked from my kitchen island, and found it to be just as conducive as my office...but I was way too close to the fridge! #Quarantine15... Once you have your space figured out, keep that surface as clear as possible. For example, I know it's tempting to keep that half drunk coffee cup out, but there's a risk it will fall over as you're working. Frankly, the chaos of any extra stuff all around, such as unnecessary papers or random things that belong in other rooms, will just add to the frustrations of the day.

{4} Take frequent, purposeful breaks - This has really helped me to not only cross things off my work to-do list, but my daily, quarantine to-do list. By getting up every hour or so, schedule permitting, I can throw in laundry, address any personal emails, meal prep, etc. I would also encourage anyone who gets a one-hour lunch break to use that time to get a workout in! While I don't do that every day, when I do, it really feels like a huge accomplishment. Sometimes that's the only thing I've accomplished for the day, and that's okay. It's also something I would never be able to do with a normal work schedule, so I love to take advantage. I've tried to apply that mindset to other things I catch myself complaining about during this time, and it has helped me with any anxieties I've had through this process. Hopefully, that tidbit helps you too!

{5} Make your space functional for proper workflow - It's important to assess what is required for you to effectively do your job. I personally need a second monitor and access to a printer. Sometimes,  I just have to review a document the old-fashioned way, rather than on a screen. I don't have many other prerequisites, but you may need a specific computer setup, phone connection or filing system. My point is to do what you can to set yourself up for success within the workspace you've chosen. Also, don't hesitate to reach out to your manager or IT department with inquiries about how to better your workflow. I was able to get a refurbished monitor last year for my home office, at no cost to my company. They were literally about to be recycled, when a coworker told me to put in the request.

Bonus Tip: These are strange, unusual and unprecedented times. Give yourself grace. Give yourself flexibility. Allow yourself to decompress, when you feel necessary. We'll make it through, slowly but surely, no matter what your current day-to-day looks like. 

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