Prior to this crazy pandemic world that we live in today I already worked from home. In fact, my main goal for becoming a developer back in 2011 was to eventually have the option to work remotely, and in 2019 I moved away from the corporate office model.

The pandemic moved many office employees to work from home on a temporary and permanent basis. The last 18 months have been very challenging for many of us and has been especially isolating for those who work remotely. I have had my fair share of ups and downs in the last while. The hardest points have been when I’ve fallen out of a daily routine. Keeping in mind that I am a single female on the cusp of 40, so being remote can be particularly challenging.

Tips for working at home.

1. Keep a weekday routine. I wake up, drink water, have a little workout, shower, eat, and relax all before work. If I don’t keep a morning routine my whole day will suffer. I find it gives me more purpose than just working in the day.
2. Personal Hygiene is still super important. I know it’s tempting to work in your pj’s with messy hair. I’ve done it and I’m not overly proud. It’s a very slippery slope that can quickly lead to depression.
3. Eat. This is a HUGE struggle for me. On one side, it’s good that I have to make my own healthy meals, but on the other side I struggle to make time to do so. I quickly run out of ideas for meals and my food start to taste bland.
4. Exercise often and go outside. I try to mix full body routines in a few days a week, take bike rides, and just go for walks. See my kettlebell workouts >
5. Turn off your brain at the end of “your workday”. This is easier said than done, especially if you are like me and sometimes like to work in the evenings. This is something that can be worked into a routine.
6. Set future goals to look forward to and remember we live in an always changing world. Sometimes our plans with evolve and that is ok.
7. Make time for you off the screen. Do things that you enjoy, learn new skills, do hobbies, whatever it takes to get you off the computer.
8. Talk to friends and family often. You don’t have to be alone and loose touch from the people you love.
9. Practise a healthy lifestyle. Alcohol and drugs are only going to compound the lonely isolated feeling.
10. Do something nice for others when you can. I try to smile, say hello to random people, or even hold a door for someone. Doing nice things keeps the human touch alive.

Although working at home can be challenging for focus and loneliness, I would prefer to remain out of the office. Hopefully someday I will have the opportunity to work from a variety of different locations.