Working from home has become the new norm. Some of us were relieved that after the pandemic we could continue working from the safety of our own homes, others lamented their bad luck.
I have to say, I’ve been surprised well I adapted to working on my own. I always thought I needed the hustle and bustle of an office around me, and the colleagues of course, but it turns out I don’t. In fact, I get much more done when I’m left alone to fend for myself work-wise.
At the office we tend to spend a lot of time chatting to colleagues at the water cooler or by the coffee machine. But while working from home I save all that time and can still chat with my friends after work.
Working remotely also saves you all the time that you’d otherwise spend on commutes. Now you can use all of that spare time around the house. Because sometimes there’s not enough work to fill the full 8 hours, but at home it doesn’t matter.
The amount of free time that working from home provides us is a blessing. Because finally you’ve got time for yourself and your family.
But how does one make the actual working part of working remotely fun? It all comes down to creating a daily routine and sprinkling it with things you enjoy.
5 x How I Make Working From Home Fun But Productive?
Working from home does not necessarily suit everyone. But there sure are those of us who thrive while working from our homes rather than an office than those who don’t.
In fact, 95% of employees prefer to work remotely at least 3 days a week. And I suspect that the remaining 5% say they prefer working from the office only to lick somebody’s arse.
But while working at home is definitely more practical for employees, it has its downsides too. So, how do we make sure that spending more time at home doesn’t affect us negatively? Here are some ideas that are easy to incorporate to your daily routine.
1. A morning routine sets the day in motion
Loads of people talk about the importance of a morning routine. And while it can sound like waffle sometimes, me being one who didn’t use to have a clear morning routine, and then learning to stick to one, I can vouch for the benefits of it!
And no, morning routine doesn’t mean that you need to wake up at 5am to have time to do yoga, have a bath and create calligraphy before work. A morning routine is all about simple routines that you do every morning. The trick with it is to allow yourself time to enjoy it.
I’ve nailed my morning routine, and as simple as it is, if I miss it, the day won’t feel as great as it could. You can check my super simplistic, even minimalistic morning routine here.
2. Declutter and organize your working from home space
I’ll be honest, my work space is my kitchen table. And if that kitchen table is covered in bread crumbs and spillage from yesterday’s cooking, I can’t set my beautiful, pink laptop on it.
I’m not the tidiest person so if I say that working in a space that’s clean and uncluttered is nicer and more productive, then it’s true. But there’s more than just keeping your work space clean. In order to bring more enjoyment to working, think about a space in your home that feels inspiring.
- Could you set up a small work space by a window with a lovely view?
- Or bring a dash of brightness to that office space with a new lamp?
- Adding a house plant to the mix or creating a mood board to look at, in case a window isn’t an option, can provide a more motivating surrounding while working from home.
If your workspace feels dull, consider upgrading it with modern peel-and-stick wall panels. They’re an easy and stylish way to add texture or color without permanent commitment, instantly making your home office feel more inviting.
For example, sitting by my kitchen table I’m right opposite to the fridge. I’ve covered the fridge door with photos of my friends and the goals that I want to achieve. So, it is my vision board as well as an appliance that keeps food fresh.
3. Put on light background music
Okay, I know this divides opinions. There are those who prefer to work in silence, but I would venture to guess that most of us prefer (light) background music. If not, then skip this part. If yes, do continue.
Choosing your own background music is one of the biggest perks in working from home in my opinion. At an office you always have to accommodate everyone, which often means that there is no background music at all.
Light background music can enhance creativity and create a relaxed atmosphere while you’re working from home. With a good playlist on the background I often lose track of time. Somehow good music makes even working so much more fun.
4. Be strict about having breaks while working from home
So many of us are guilty of this: not taking proper breaks when working from home. By this I mean
- sitting by your laptop while eating lunch
- not taking any coffee breaks
- this also includes working in the evenings just because your laptop’s there. DON’T!
In European countries coffee and lunch breaks are set in actual laws. And they are not set in the law just for the fun of it. They are actually important to your health and wellbeing.
In most countries these laws follow the same framework: two 10-15 minute coffee breaks and one minimum half an hour lunch break.
Lunch hour is the thing you really need to prioritise. For at least half an hour each day, move away from the laptop!
If this feels challenging then eat your lunch and go for a little walk outside. You need to take a break from your laptop, for your own sake. If you won’t do coffee breaks, at least do the lunch break properly.
5. Don’t work in your pajamas
I know, I know. Some of us revel in the pleasure of not having to change while working from home. I myself confess not wanting to change, but I know better than ignoring to do so.
I mean, yes, do add as many layers as necessary to stay warm. But changing to something even slightly more structured than a pajama can affect our productivity and mood surprisingly much.
The most important reason for this is the fact that the way you dress can affect how you feel about yourself. It can give you a confidence boost while staying in your pajamas can make you feel more tired than you actually are.
Final Thoughts on Working from Home
There’s no way around it, I do love working from home and would opt for that any given day. Once you get your home office sorted and find a good routine, your work flows with such ease. And as mentioned, you’re left with so much more free time, which you can now spend exactly as you like.
How would you add a bit of fun to working from home? Let me know in the comments ♥
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