Advice from a digital nomad: 5 Tips for working from home

As someone who made the switch from 9-5 office life to working remotely prior to corona crisis, I know the struggle is real when it comes to working from home.  Although I chose a lifestyle where I can work from anywhere, it doesn’t mean it comes easily or without effort. It requires a certain discipline to be able to work from home and for many of us that doesn’t come naturally.

I’d like to share some of the things that worked for me, to make working from home easier, especially in these crazy times! I hope my tips can not only help you survive but also thrive, and potentially consider how a remote lifestyle could perhaps also benefit you?

Tip 1: Stop feeling guilty

This tip could possibly be one of the most important ones and that’s why I’m adding it first. We often feel guilty for not working ‘’as much’’ when we’re at home. However, many scientific studies have confirmed that we can work far more efficiently at home when we’re not distracted by colleagues, daily chitchat or endless meetings. In my experience, I saved myself an average of 2hrs a day simply by working independently. When my tasks are done, I’m done for the day. Whether I worked 4/5 hours or a full 7/8. I no longer feel guilty as long as I finish what’s expected from me.

Tip 2: Work in your own comfort-zone

What does that mean exactly? Well, we’ve all heard of the advice to try and set up a space at home that is only dedicated to work with a comfortable desk, chair and laptop stand. Although I believe that this is great advice which will benefit many of you, if you’re anything like me this might not be necessary. Contrary to ergonomic advice, I love working from the comfort of my bed or couch surrounding myself with nice pillows, a cozy blanket and a hot cuppa creating the ideal circumstances for me to sit and write. Now, admittedly it’s not the most body-friendly but it works for me, and immediately leads me to the next tip:

Tip 3: It’s ok to stop and do household tasks

Why? Because it forces you to stop, switch of your mind for a moment and move your body. In a normal workspace you would get up for a cup of coffee, speak to a colleague or stretch your legs with a small walk. Now all those things aren’t possible anymore, so replacing that with mindless dishwashing, laundry folding or brewing a cup of tea is absolutely ok. Your mind and body need that, especially after some intense focus.

Tip 4: Listen to your Energy

When I made the switch from office job to working from home, I optimistically believed I would get up at 8am and work a solid 7,5 hrs. But turns out it’s a lot more difficult to work a full day at home by yourself! For me I worked more efficiently and had less obligations that filled my day, so setting these expectations only added to the pressure and guilt.  What I noticed instead is that my energy levels determined the amount of work I could produce. I’m not a big morning person (even when working at the office I struggled!) and my engines don’t start running until well past 10am. When I started following my internal energy levels, I noticed that I could be far more productive than when I ‘’forced’’ myself to sit down and work. Even day by day the energy levels can vary, and instead of feeling guilty about taking it slow in the morning I instead take advantage of those spurts of energy when they come – and they always do!

Tip 5: Give yourself permission to relax

When working from home it’s so easy to forget to ‘’close the door behind you’’ and stop working. I’m lucky that I can do my work wherever and whenever. I’ve learned to work whenever inspiration hits, regardless of the time or day, but that does mean I’ll often have weeks where I work every day. That’s why I no longer feel guilty when I do take time off, even if it’s to have a run on Monday morning, or follow a yoga class Wednesday afternoon. I’ve learned that my mental and physical health comes first, and that when I work from a place of ease I actually am far more productive.

I understand that not everybody is so fortunate and free to be able to do what I do, but at the end of the day the message still comes down to this:  it’s far more important to listen to your own body and energy. Trying to recreate an office life situation into an at home life situation is like trying to push a square peg into a round hole: It simply doesn’t fit! So, don’t be too hard on yourself if it doesn’t work for you and hopefully the above tips can help create a new at-home work lifestyle that works for you, whatever way that may be.

☾

NAMASTÉ MARIJKE

Dutchie • Digital Nomad • Travel Junkie
Ocean Lover • Yoga Enthusiast