By Christina Morton DesAuguste
Christina is the founder and CEO of The Organizing Company. She’s been organizing professionally since 2013. She has a background working with kids and teenagers, as well as in fashion retail. Today’s saving grace during self quarantine: faux flowers.
This is where we are, so let’s make it work.
1) Find your spot.
Depending on your family and house size, things could be pretty cozy and the power struggle for who gets to work in the guest room/at the dining table might not end in your favor. But try to find a designated spot for everyone, even if you implement a rotating schedule.
Get creative with where your spot can be. You can put a desk (or a card table) in your “formal” living room, in the dining room next to the table so you don’t have to clear off your desk for every meal (or so your hubby can use it), or for some people, it might even work to put the table near the entry way/mudroom (probably better if you don’t have kiddos), or repurpose the credenza that’s already there. Find, or create, some empty wall space and park it.
Or, make a “cloffice,” as my adorable big sister likes to call hers. I’m pretty sure that hasn’t caught on… You can use a small, reach in closet, or make room in your walk-in master closet (or maybe the guest room closet!). It’s nice to have a spot you can leave set up all the time and that is closed off from the rest of the world, I mean, family.
Speaking of closing yourself off… Normally we don’t suggest putting your desk facing and right up against a wall. But under these circumstances, that might actually be best arrangement because it lets you close yourself off from everything happening around you. Plus it gives the signal to the kids that if mom’s back is turned, she’s busy. Whereas if you use a floating desk placement, you’re facing the action and people might feel like they can ask you questions every time they walk by.
2) Set Up Your Spot.
If you’re able to keep your workspace set up all the time (as opposed to cleaning it off so your family can eat dinner, etc), do your best to set it up well. Since this situation is temporary, you might be tempted to just do the bare minimum, but A) we don’t know how long this will last (truth bomb); and B) you’ll feel so much more “in the zone” if it really feels put together and like an office.
So get your basic office supplies, set up your computer, add a calendar, and find a spot for any binders/reference guides/planners where they are within reach and not just piled up. Don’t forget a spot for paperwork as well. Hopefully, you already have a mail spot and system, but if not this might be the place for that now, too. So have a spot (like a wall file/box) that is visible (ie not hidden away in a drawer) that you can put mail to be opened, your to-do items (separate personal and business if possible), and stuff to be filed/scanned and archived. Clipboards on the wall, or in a magazine holder or wall file, are a great way to keep projects/task lists separate. I have one for The Organizing Company, one for an app I’m creating, and one for personal stuff. *This is super helpful if you have to clean up your stuff at the end of every day!
If you need some help creating order (maybe you have a bankers box from the office full of hodge podge stuff from your desk…), check out our organizing method here, or take advantage of our FREE virtual organizing giveaway for customized solutions and guidance.
If you have to pack up your work station every day, check out our Working From Bed blog with some ideas for how to make that type of work style more functional.
3) Add Some Inspiration.
Yes, it’s temporary. And yes, it might be a card table in your laundry room. But find a way to make it yours. To make it inspiring. To make it beautiful. Maybe it’s a lacy tablecloth. Or your favorite painting/art piece relocated. Maybe it’s as simple as some beautiful flowers. Real or faux, they will brighten your mood and make you feel good as you tackle what’s in front of you.
4) Create A Routine.
Set work start, end, and lunchtimes for yourself. Be especially strict about the start and end times. It’s easy to end up working all day and all night if you don’t have a plan or schedule, especially if you’re single. So set your schedule and find ways to keep yourself accountable. Maybe set Zoom meetings 20 minutes after your start so that it forces you to get up on time. Set a reminder for 30 minutes before the end of the workday to start wrapping things up. We recommend creating a routine beyond just work (ie meal times, workout, downtime, etc), but start somewhere and you can build on it.
Routines are super helpful for couples and kiddos too. We’ve always been huge routine pushers (check out our Summer Mother blog post about what made me a believer) for kids and all humans, so think about how you can create a rhythm in your family. For me and my husband, I had to encourage we set a specific time for our lunch break so we can eat together and catch up because he was yelling to me from the other room 20 times a day and I couldn’t handle it! I had to nicely let him know that it’s hard for me to have interruptions while I’m working because I’m terrible at multi-tasking and lose focus. We’re newlyweds and obsessed with each other, so it’s super fun to be home together a lot and I’m beyond grateful that he loves talking with me, but all the giggles were killing my productivity! And he had to encourage a specific end time for me because I tend to work late.
5) Avoid The Blackhole That Is Household Chores.
It is so super easy to think, “I’ll just pop a load of laundry in while I work!” Or, “I’ll just tidy up the living room while I take a break.” But there’s chore creep. One thing leads to the next and before you know it, you’re spending 70% of your day doing housework instead of work. The kids need something. The dog wants to go out, again. It just keeps going. I know that if the kids and hubby are home more, there will be more chores to do, so I get the temptation. But I really encourage you to create your schedule so that you block out time for those things exclusively, and time for work exclusively. This goes back to the routine thing. Schedule time in your day and your week for the extra household chores that need to happen. And make sure to involve your kids and hubby too! It’s so good for kids to learn how to do their own chores, and the simple fact that it might save your sanity right now might convince you that it’s in their best interest!
5) Don’t Neglect Self Care.
Working from home, it’s super easy to neglect some self care basics, even brushing your teeth and washing your face. Come on. Be honest. But take a few minutes to do those things (and maybe throw on some deodorant) and you’ll not only feel more awake and ready to work, but you’ll feel good that you took care of yourself. Google “self care coronavirus” for a plethora of articles with great self care ideas and habits.
6) Dress Up.
I love yoga and pajama pants as much as the next gal. But we’ve all heard (and now experienced in this quarantine) what a difference it makes in your psyche when you get dressed and ready to see people. That might mean doing your hair and makeup. It might mean wearing a nice top- and yoga pants (the mullet wardrobe, if you will). Or full-on business casual. Even just a little step above pajamas is a mood changer and sends the signal to your body and brain that it’s time to hustle. It also sends the signal to the family that mommy is on duty. If it’s unrealistic to do it everyday, plan at least one day a week to dress up and feel good.
7) Remember, it’s only temporary.
You might start to feel like you’re losing it. You might start to feel your office walls closing in on you. Or you might want to scream at your kiddos/husband/dog because you can’t focus. When those moments hit, remember that this is only momentary. Having hope for the future is huge in reducing anxiety.
Hang in there. You’re not alone. You’re not crazy. And this will be over soon.
Praying health and provision for you and your families.
Happy Home Offic-ing!
Christina + The Organizing Company Team
April 6, 2020
Share + Follow
