Tips for Balancing Work/Life While Working from Home

In the wake of the pandemic, many of us are either slowly returning to work or still telecommuting. Working from home can be an incredibly rewarding experience as well as provide many unique opportunities. There is a lot less commuting time, so it can feel like you get to spend more time with your family, and it can give you the flexibility you need to do other things.

However, working from home can also be challenging because there are fewer distractions to help stop you from working all day. Even though there are fewer distractions, this can make it harder for you to control your time management. In this article, we’re going to give our best tips on how to balance work and personal life while working from home.

1. Get Dressed.

Although it may be tempting to stay in your pajamas all day (because you can), try to resist the temptation and get dressed for the day. Not only will this make you feel like you have a purpose for changing, but it will also encourage you to get in a polished, professional mindset.

When you look good, you feel good. Establishing the habits of getting dressed while working from home will make you feel accomplished and ready to tackle the day.  

2. Set a Routine. 

It’s easy for your time to get away from you when they’re not structured by an alarm clock or someone else’s deadlines — so create one for yourself! Make a daily task list and break down larger projects into smaller chunks so that everything gets done in time. And don’t forget about taking breaks — both mental and physical — throughout the day so that you’re refreshed when it’s time for work again!

Get up early in the morning before anyone else is awake in your house, so you can prepare yourself for the day ahead without any interruptions or distractions. This will also give you time to make breakfast for yourself and your family members before they wake up.

3. Make an effort to talk to other people every day.

Working from home can feel isolating at times, especially if you live alone. This is why it’s important for you to make an effort to talk to other people every day — even if it’s just for five minutes or so. It could be as simple as chatting with someone over video chat or calling a friend during their lunch break.

Just having the opportunity to connect with others will help prevent feelings of loneliness from creeping in. Consider joining a community group or online forum. Joining a community group or online forum is another way you can meet new people while working from home.

Not only will this give you something interesting to discuss during your breaks, but also provide an opportunity to connect with people. It’s easy to get stuck in your own headspace when you’re in isolation all day long — talking with other people will help keep your mind fresh.

4. Have a Work Space.

Work from a designated home office to keep work from invading other parts of your life. Set up an office area where you won’t be distracted by family members or other household members who may wander in and out of the room as they please. Your office should also be a place where you can focus without any distractions — no phones ringing or TVs blaring while you’re trying to get work done.

Whether it’s a spare bedroom or a corner of your kitchen table, designate one spot as your office where you will do all your work-related activities. This will help keep work from invading other parts of your home, which can be especially important if there are children running around who might interrupt you with questions or requests. Be respectful of others’ schedules when working at home.

If there are other people living in the house with you, make sure they know when it’s time for everyone to settle down for some quiet time so everyone can get their work done without distractions or interruptions.

5. Set Boundaries. 

If you have children, it’s important to set up boundaries at home so that you can focus on them when they’re there. If you have pets, make sure that they’re taken care of during the day so that you can focus on work when you’re in the house. Designate specific days for working and relaxing.

It’s important not to fall into the trap of thinking that because you’re at home, there are no rules about when you can relax and when you have to work. Set aside specific days for working so that when Friday rolls around, you aren’t reluctant to go out with friends because you still have important tasks left undone!

Establish boundaries with family and friends about when you are working and when you are off duty. Set your work hours and stick to them.

Working from home can be a rewarding and enriching experience, but it does come with its own set of pitfalls if you’re not careful. For those who work from home full-time, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of working more hours on productivity rather than quality work. Ultimately, the best way to succeed while working from home is to create and maintain a structure that incorporates the things that are most important to you.

Whether it’s placing strict limitations on your day through identified periods of work and play, or allowing yourself more flexible time that gives you the freedom to get as much as possible done each day, it’s all about finding what works for you.