To my remote working friends!!

34 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 21,2022 at 3:59PM UTC

   I actually do the opposite of what you do. I set very specific hours and don't take breaks during the day so that I can completely shut off my computer when I'm done!

2. AnonymousJanuary 21,2022 at 4:05PM UTC

   I stretch my work day out over 10 hours but work about 7 of those. I take a yoga class a couple times a week, meet friends for long lunches and do errands during my day. If the pandemic taught me nothing else, it taught me that I work best when my day is fluid and I allow myself freedom to switch gears through my day.

3. AnonymousJanuary 21,2022 at 4:25PM UTC

   I set office hours and I ensure I block out time to have a proper lunch break. I've been working remotely for the last 12 years, so I find setting your calendar boundaries and sticking to them to be the most important. I take maybe 2 small breaks ( like 10-15 mins) throughout the day to stretch & move my body (dr.'s orders lol). If it's nice outside, I try to use a few minutes to get some fresh air and sunlight on my skin.

4. AnonymousJanuary 22,2022 at 1:41PM UTC

   Omg totally struggling so badly. I feel guilty not doing housework through out the day while I work. I think of things that need to be done around the house.

5. Jessica Hill-KnudsonJanuary 22,2022 at 2:50PM UTC

   There will *always* be other things to do, do not feel guilty about not doing everything all the time. If you have others in the house, enlist their help. I find it helpful to make lists and prioritize. And let some things slide.

   But I also will take a moment to throw some laundry in or put ingredients in the crockpot for dinner if it helps me out in the long run.

6. Tasha L. SimmonsJanuary 24,2022 at 4:38PM UTC

   I agree to do list is part of living ?

7. Tasha L. SimmonsJanuary 24,2022 at 4:40PM UTC

   Delegate tasks when you can

   Make a list, make the tasks smaller so their easier to complete

8. AnonymousJanuary 22,2022 at 1:44PM UTC

   I have set office hours and if the weather is nice I walk on my lunch to completely set away. I also use my fitbit to remind me to get up every hour just to walk through the house or step outside for fresh air.

9. Venise VinegarJanuary 22,2022 at 2:20PM UTC

   time management, priorities, boundaries and self-care stay at the top of the list - no matter what.

10. AnonymousJanuary 22,2022 at 2:34PM UTC

    I work longer but do tend to do a bit more for me here and there than I could in an office setting. I will walk on the treadmill 2 times per day for 15 mins. I actually can still read and reply to emails during that time. I get to sleep in more so that’s huge for me.

11. AnonymousJanuary 22,2022 at 3:02PM UTC

    For me, the best way to stay focused is to wake up early. When I was in an office I would always wake up early, get dressed and do my hair and make up. Now I wake up and just do my make up. On my lunch break I’ll get out, even if it’s just to the store.

12. AnonymousJanuary 22,2022 at 4:27PM UTC

    I rarely did make up when going into the office and I definitely don’t do it now. Until men start regularly wearing make up, I’m not going to bother. I get dressed and do my hair well enough that I don’t get called out for it on camera. That’s about it!

13. AnonymousJanuary 22,2022 at 5:31PM UTC

    I wear makeup for me - I enjoy it and it makes me feel good. You don’t have to wear it either . I do like wearing comfy shoes though!

14. Tomilyn RichardsFebruary 1,2022 at 3:41PM UTC

    My earings are my new statement piece... I wear fuzzy socks and slippers... so I have to feel like I am adding some fun back in!! =) FUN earrings have won over make up!!

15. Judy SchoenbergJanuary 22,2022 at 3:38PM UTC

    Great question! As a co-founder trying to grow our business it’s easy to work ALL the time! We’ve decided to take our evenings back in 2022 and it work at night when it’s family time!

16. Tomilyn RichardsFebruary 1,2022 at 3:39PM UTC

    Great job! It is not easy... especially when starting your own business. I grew up with business owners and many nights were spent with me doing homework in the shop office. I remember how hard they worked.

17. Stephanie F, MSHRMJanuary 22,2022 at 3:38PM UTC

    I’m hybrid, but in or out the office, this is what I struggle with because the work is a lot , while managing and developing a team.

    So many strategy meetings while I’m trying to help keep them above water.

    I have come to realize I need to take time for myself everyday. And everyday is a struggle, but I’m more aware of it so can take it one day at a time.

18. Tasha L. SimmonsJanuary 24,2022 at 4:36PM UTC

    Your daily me time can be small things such scrolling social media, watching a TV show, hair care, journaling

19. Julie EJanuary 22,2022 at 5:24PM UTC

    I try to take at least a short lunch, which is challenging on days they schedule meetings over what would be my lunch, and log off when I get to a good stopping point at rje

    end of the day. I’ve also set boundaries with coworkers asking they get files to me by a certain time if they want the project processed that day. As soon as you become available at all hours that becomes the expectation.

20. Audrey KirschJanuary 22,2022 at 7:32PM UTC

    I make sure to take my full lunch break without my phone. I need that time to switch off.

21. AnonymousJanuary 22,2022 at 8:11PM UTC

    I need to take more breaks. In my years of working remotely, I find I really grind during my working hours and often fail to take a break or even true lunch break.

22. Jolien SchwanJanuary 23,2022 at 4:30AM UTC

    Same here! I'm really trying to get better about taking breaks.

23. Tasha L. SimmonsJanuary 24,2022 at 4:34PM UTC

    You can do it ?

    You deserve a breaks throughout your work day

24. Tasha L. SimmonsJanuary 24,2022 at 4:33PM UTC

    Try creating a lunch time example lunch between 12 to 2 so you have the flexibility on busy days

    Listening to music and watching a TV show when appropriate is good way to stay productive while creating a balance

25. AnonymousJanuary 22,2022 at 8:44PM UTC

    My team took the bold step of banning after-hours meetings, emails and Slack messages (there’s a send later button for people who want to work in the evenings). Team buy-in is very helpful. Also at the end of each day I make a to-do list for the following morning which helps immensely (when I’m not fully awake yet)!

26. Michelle SiskoJanuary 23,2022 at 3:35AM UTC

    I turn my computer off at the end of the day, so I don’t hear incoming email. If I have a break between meetings I try to do something out of my office ie throw a load of laundry in the washer, take a walk to the mailbox, go play with the dog for a couple of minutes.

27. Olivia WoolmanJanuary 23,2022 at 4:32AM UTC

    I agree with and practice some of the ideas already mentioned: take breaks away from your screen, enjoy your lunch without your phone, and turn off your laptop and notifications after hours.

28. Tasha L. SimmonsJanuary 24,2022 at 4:29PM UTC

    Yes I had notification on for the organization chat so I would see the chat all day even before my work shift I turn the notifications off which has easier for me

29. AnonymousJanuary 23,2022 at 3:15PM UTC

    Breaks are essential, especially when it’s a meeting-heavy day. It’s also necessary to turn the computer off at the end of your workday in order to signal mentally, the work day is over.

    On lighter days, balance out your workday by either walking around the block or doing laundry or something around the house.

    Good luck!

30. 60isthenew40January 23,2022 at 11:43PM UTC

    I worked remotely for six years before the pandemic. When I first began, I was a nervous wreck, thinking my boss/co-workers would assume I was lying on my sofa all day watching Dr. Phil reuruns. I wouldn't take any breaks and even going to the bathroom or getting a cup of coffee had me feeling like a slacker, lol!

    The truth is, I worked as hard (if not harder) at the job when I worked from home. I didn't lollygag around the kitchen talking to people while making coffee or take long lunches or stop working by a certain time so I could catch my train. If a project went overtime, it was no big deal because I didn't have to worry about a commute.

    In the end, once I settled in and knew that the value I was providing was better than ever, I relaxed and learned it was okay to take a break or put boundaries on my work so that the rest of my life wasn't neglected. I think as we become more used to distributed workforces as the norm, it will be beneficial to everyone.

31. Tomilyn RichardsFebruary 1,2022 at 3:36PM UTC

    This is absolutely spot on. Thank you for sharing!!

32. AnonymousFebruary 15,2022 at 5:39PM UTC

    That is great advice. I was a nervous wreck too (in 2021) when covid began working from home too. I didn't know the protocols.

33. Tasha L. SimmonsJanuary 24,2022 at 4:26PM UTC

    Having a flexible schedule

    Open communications with your family about your to do list

    Liking your job and personal life makes the balance do able

34. Tomilyn RichardsFebruary 1,2022 at 3:38PM UTC

    YES!! I have made a habit of putting time in my calendar for projects and ME time. It is so helpful and stops the ninja meeting from taking that time away!!