3 Cozy Summer Loungewear Pieces for Working from Home Featuring Femme Luxe*

It’s been so long since I’ve written and posted anything close to fashion content—including photos. I’m really out of the habit. However, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect loungewear for wearing around the house while I’m working—pretty much since quarantine started in March. I feel like I’ve ordered more new loungewear and pajama sets than I have in years.

Part of the reason why I’ve been on the hunt for great loungewear is because I want to feel comfortable while I’m working from home, while also wearing things that don’t make me feel super slovenly or gross. I tend to wear my pajama pants (well loved pajama pants! I’ve owned the same 5 pairs since before I was pregnant with Forrest) and t-shirts of Danny’s when I’m home. And frankly, after a few weeks of that, I wasn’t feeling so great.

Loungewear gives you that perfect in-between of “I’m dressed up” but also “I’m super comfortable.” When Femme Luxe reached out to me to showcase a few outfits, I was excited to see so much loungewear available. It isn’t the sort of website I would usually consider placing an order from, but I decided to test it out and see what I thought. I’m really glad I did. Here are the 2 outfits I picked out (comprised of 3 separate pieces!).

The first choice I made was this Gray Oversized Loungewear Set. I love an oversized t-shirt, so that was an easy choice to make. In regards to sizing, I ordered the Large size in this one—the shirt is perfectly oversized. The leggings were a bit small at first, but have stretched out a little overtime. I’m typically a size 12-14 ish in pants and skirts (although it’s super variable), so just keep that in mind if you’re ordering.

Best of all these 2 pieces are comfy and soft. Since it’s a uniform gray-all-over, I feel a little more put together than just in my slubby oversized t-shirt!

One thing to note is that these leggings are a bit see-through in the butt—so if you wear them out, make sure to wear a longer t-shirt (like the matching one!) or a tunic-style top to cover up (if that’s something you worry about! If not, live your life girl!)

The second loungewear set I picked was the Taupe & Black Oversized Hoodie Shorts Loungewear Set. It’s a set of basically sweatpants shorts and a zip up hoodie vest—I picked the olive green color, but it also comes in taupe.

I ordered the XL size in this one and I probably could have ordered a size large. The shorts are a little too big, but that’s fine because they’re so comfortable and soft. I’ve probably worn this set more than any other—it’s so comfortable and perfect for summer, when it’s too hot for leggings, but you want to be comfy.

The hoodie vest is also great for layering—I like having pockets when I’m in my house, only so I always have my phone and glasses. These ones are perfect—they’re super big!

I paired this set with the Coral California Graphic T-shirt. I ordered a size Large in this as well—it fits really well. I’ve worn this t-shirt so much, I’ve washed it 3 times since I got it already! It’s probably my second favorite piece (after the shorts from the loungewear set!) and I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on it. It’s just a cute graphic t-shirt, perfect for wandering around the house, working or just lounging.

My favorite thing about these 2 outfits is that, if I have to jump on a quick Zoom call with a client and don’t want to change my outfit, it doesn’t look like I’m wearing loungewear—I look nice without having to put in a ton of effort!

When I first was approached by Femme Luxe, I was worried that they wouldn’t carry much in my size. Being plus size these days definitely feels a bit restrictive at times—there’s just less for us. But if you’re in the smaller range of plus size, Femme Luxe is a great, affordable option. Even better, they do ship to the United States, so if you, like me, want to try some new loungewear pieces, they will make it across the pond!

Disclaimer: As denoted by the asterisk (*) in this post’s title, I did receive items for free in exchange for posting. Posts like this help me keep the lights on here at Writing Between Pauses. However, all opinions remain my own. If you’d like to learn more about my disclosure policy, click here.

My Top 3 Unpopular Opinions About Working From Home

Working from home isn’t easy. It’s stressful. It’s complicated. It requires making space in your home, setting strict boundaries, and having methods for staying on task.

Unfortunately, doing all that takes time. And in March, when a lot of people were thrown into working from home full-time with no preparation, setting up those pieces was simply not possible. As a result, a lot of people struggled; a lot of businesses saw reduced efficiency and increased distraction. This wasn’t the fault of employees; it just was a weird time for everyone, trying to work in an environment they hadn’t been prepared for. As well, many employees were juggling childcare, illness, increased restrictions, and more.

Needless to say, working from home has been a big topic of discussion.

I’ve been working from home consistently for nearly 2 years—but before then, I worked from home at least 2-3 days a week, if not more. When I was pregnant, I worked from home pretty much every day. It was just easier.

I’m an advocate for work from home or remote work opportunities for those who need them. As an example, working from home works best for me, since I live in a rural area; it lowers my commute time (and therefore, my bills to keep my car running); gives me more time to spend with my son; and allows me to take on more work while remaining productive. Working from home can be beneficial to mothers with small children who want to remain in the workforce, those with disabilities who require home care but want to be able to work, and others.

However, I’ll be the first to tell you: working from home is incredibly challenging. I have some unpopular opinions about it. Here they are.

1. Working from home isn’t a cure-all for bad culture.

For many, the opportunity to work from home is sometimes used as a signal to say: see, we won’t micromanage you or wring you dry or make you miserable at all!

I cannot tell you how untrue this is. Working from home doesn’t mean your company’s culture is good. In fact, encouraging employees to work from home, and then remaining overbearing, poor communicative, and ill equipped to handle a variety of employees needs, is the exact opposite of a good company culture—and it is incredibly common amongst companies that offer remote and work from home opportunities.

If you’re considering taking a job that is remote or offers the ability to work from home, make sure you’re keeping an eye on the company’s culture, asking the right questions about their culture, and more. (I do have some blog posts planned on this topic coming up!)

2. If you want to binge Netflix and relax, working from home isn’t for you.

Here is a common exchange I often had before quarantine.

Stranger: Oh, you work from home? As a freelancer? That must be nice.

Me: Yeah, I have a lot of flexibility.

Stranger: You must get so many chores done around the house! And all caught up on Netflix, huh?

Me:

Am I at home doing chores? No. Am I at home watching Netflix and eating chips on the couch? No. What am I doing at home? I’m working. Just like everyone else.

If you think people who work from home are just lounging around, I have 4 words for you: no, they are not.

If you want to work from home because you think it will give you more time for things like chores, watching Netflix, hanging out with your friends, etc., I have a few more words for you: please don’t take these opportunities for those who legitimately need them.

3. Most people do not thrive working from home.

On that same note, I would say: a surprising number of people simply do not do well working from home. It takes a very specific personality, with a large portion of self-motivation and focus, in order to thrive while working from home.

Just as some people don’t thrive in office environments, some people simply will not be able to work from home effectively. Sometimes, working from home is touted as a perfect solution, a great way for businesses to save money. The reality is… if it isn’t effective for even a percentage of employees, then it will not be beneficial to a business. I know many businesses have pivoted to work from home only due to COVID19, even after stay-at-home restrictions are lifted. I cannot tell you how nervous this makes me for those employees who need in-person work solutions to thrive.

My viewpoint is that you should seek out a work situation that is most beneficial to you. There is a reason why workshare offices, like WeWork spaces, thrive! It’s because even some freelancers prefer to work around other people, to have people around to bounce ideas off of and talk to. Working from home can be very isolating and if isolation doesn’t improve your work, then working from home won’t be a good solution for you.

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Whew! Now that I’ve got that off my chest… I’m excited to share that I’m seeking out guests posts for the future from BIPOC, the disabled community, and QLGBTIA+ in order to share more insights into career, motherhood, self-care, and more. If this sounds like something you’d like to participate in, please let me know!

5 Tips for Crafting Your Daily Work Routine

Welcome to my new series all about routines. While developing my own routine over the last few weeks of stay-at-home orders and quarantine, I’ve found myself writing down notes about developing my routine, working from home, having kids, keeping self-care in my day, and staying sane! I wanted to share some of this information with you, to help you succeed and feel more rested, recharged, and productive. You’ll be able to check out all the posts from this series here.

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So you want to start a daily routine, but you don’t know where to start? I’m glad you’re here, because this has been a topic I’ve been so excited to write about.

Having a daily routine can feel, depending on your point-of-view, super easy or super complicated. It just depends. I’m sure there are plenty of people (and maybe they’re like me!) who say, it’s not that hard, just do the same things every single day. Boom. Routine. But for many, it’s just not that easy.

If you’re someone who struggles to stay productive, or you get easily overwhelmed or distracted, creating a daily work routine that helps you get more done (without feeling like you’re being micromanaged) can be really challenging.

So, here are my 5 tips—which include step-by-step instructions for creating your daily routine.

1. Take time for what matters to you.

As I’ve written in previous blog posts in this series (you can read them all here!), no single routine will work for every person.

Step 1: Write down a list of 10 things you want to do everyday that will be impactful and meaningful to you. What do these 10 things mean? Are they part of a larger goal for you to meet? Here are a few examples of what I would write down:

• Journal

• Write my to do list

• Exercise/hit 10,000 steps

• Send LinkedIn messages

• Drink water

• Make bed

Step 2: Look at your list and order these things in a way that makes sense. Right when you wake up, what are 2 things you can do right away that will make a difference in your work day? How can you arrange this list in a way that makes sense for your day and that helps you feel motivated?

Step 3: Once you’ve ordered your list, think of realistic ways to incorporate these things into your routine everyday.

For me, that’s make my bed (which isn’t related to work, but does make me feel better) and then write my to do list. Typically, those are the first things I do everyday. I might be interrupted, but I also try to do those 2 things first—then, I jump into journaling and work tasks.

2. Set realistic expectations.

Are you going to wake up, make your bed, run 5 miles, make a gourmet breakfast, and still get to that 9am Zoom meeting on time? Let’s be honest: unless you decide to wake up at 4am, probably not. (Although, if that’s your thing, please go for it!) My point is that if you’re someone who has never done those things, they probably won’t start day one.

Make sure your list and routine is realistic. Here are a few examples based on my routine:

• Unrealistic: wake up, shower, make bed, work out, make breakfast for Forrest & I, get Forrest to my mom’s, journal, work.

• Realistic: wake up, make bed, work for an hour before Forrest wakes up, make breakfast for Forrest & I, take Forrest to my mom’s, journal.

The reality is if I have an extra hour in the morning, I’m not going to shower or work out. That’s just the truth. Those 2 things make me feel good, but in terms of how my life works, I prefer the extra hour.

As you work on your lists in tip #1, remember to keep your expectations realistic, what you can and cannot do, and what makes sense for your day.

3. Keep track of what does and does not work.

This is something I often repeat and I know for many people, they ask, what does that really mean? Let’s take a look.

Step 1: You’ve created your list from tip #1, you’ve ordered them, and you’ve started incorporating them into your day. Great! Now what? The first step here is to keep track of what feels right and good in your routine. That means, using a journal or scratch pad to keep track of your day in some way. This might just be jotting down notes, it might be checking off that list you wrote earlier… whatever works for you.

Step 2: Does something feel out of place? Is there something you meant to do but keep forgetting? Maybe it’s not as important as you originally thought it was or maybe it simply doesn’t make sense in your routine.

Step 3: Cut out the things that aren’t working. For me, this was removing pressure to work out in the morning or at a certain point each day; it just made me feel overwhelmed. Some days, I do aim for a work out, but day-to-day, it’s simply not a part of my routine. This also means keeping the things in your routine that aren’t working and becoming more aware of why they work and how they impact your day.

4. You’ll never be able to schedule your whole day.

This is more of a note, but: a routine isn’t a schedule. It isn’t strict. It’s just a series of things you do every day that make you feel good or improve your productivity (or ideally both). It’s easy for them to get conflated!

The truth is, it would be great if we could all schedule our day out to the 15-minute block. Trust me, I’ve tried that in time blocking—and even for someone like me, who thrives with routine, it simply doesn’t work for most people’s lives. Things come up. Feelings change. Needs change.

A routine is something that changes with you, that simply provides a blueprint for your day. How it actually adds up is entirely up to you. Some days, I don’t make my bed right when I wake up—but I get to it eventually because it’s a part of my routine that I find something. Some days, I don’t write in my journal because I don’t feel like, or I have more pressing work tasks to work on, or any number of things.

You can’t schedule out your whole day, especially if you’ve never been the type of person to stick to a strict schedule.

5. Protect yourself from burnout.

Step 1: Notice the signs of burnout. Here a few things to look for:

• Fatigue or exhaustion that you never experienced before.

• Feeling like you want to get things done, but you simply can’t find the energy to do so.

• Physical symptoms you never had before that aren’t tied to any specific illness.

• Feeling pessimistic and detached.

The symptoms of burnout can be very vague—but if you’re experiencing them, you probably recognize them. With shelter in place orders and quarantine, many of us are working longer hours from home; the lines between our home lives and our work lives have become incredibly blurred; and we all have more on our plate than before (work anxiety, anxiety about the economy and social tensions and more, plus childcare and homeschooling). Burnout is real.

Step 2: If you’re starting to feel totally overwhelmed, here are a few different things to do:

• Scale back your routine. Strip it to the minimum. I’m very goal-oriented, but I’ll be the first to tell you: when I start to feel signs of burnout, I know I need to let go of the goals for a little bit.

• Add more self-care and self-soothing to your daily routine. A long morning shower might cut into your work time, but will it help soothe you? Getting all your work done early so you can play Animal Crossing might feel flaky, but will you feel better?

• Speak to someone. There are lots of at-home resources right now for counselors and therapists. TalkSpace, or just contacting a local therapist, will make it easy. My therapist has been offering teleconference options that are secure since March. If you don’t want to talk to a therapist, reach out to a friend or family member, make sure they have space to help you, and let it out.

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There you have it! My 5 tips with step-by-step instructions. Are you working on your daily routine? Let me know how it’s going in the comments!

3 Ways to Reduce Stress While Working From Home

Working from home is a different kind of stressful, isn’t it? I've never been a huge fan of working in an office--I like being alone and I'm very easily distracted.

But working from home isn’t exactly a cakewalk, either. It can be lonely and you can easily get distracted by other parts of your home (like that pile of laundry that has refused to fold itself for 2 days or the kitchen that needs a good cleaning). Plus, if you are also taking care of children and trying to work, it’s a whole other ball game.

Today, I want to talk about reducing stress while you’re trying to work from home effectively. This isn’t necessarily self-care, but it is related. Reducing your stress now will help reduce burnout later (or… right now); it will also help you feel less like you’re about to go off the rails at any moment. (Trust me, I’ve been there. Recently.)

If you’d like to read more self-care posts, click here to read more!

Reducing stress is different from person-to-person—so we aren’t going to focus on simple stuff. Some people might be soothed by essential oils; others might find them aggravating. This is going to be a bit more high level than “buy a diffuser” or “do your self-care routine!” Right now, I just don’t personally find stuff like that especially helpful if I’m trying to find methods to make myself feel less like a boiling kettle.

I hope these tips help you moving forward. And if you need a friendly ear, I’m always here to listen!

1. Get it all out: journal every day (even for 5 minutes).

A few days ago, I was having a rough day. I had multiple deadlines and a very cranky 4-year-old who was feeling ignored, isolated, and sad. To get paid as a freelancer, I have to meet my deadlines—but as a parent, I also felt like I couldn’t let Forrest down. I sat at the kitchen table while he colored and wrote in my journal for 10 minutes. I wrote down everything I was feeling: totally overwhelmed, guilty for wishing schools would just freaking open already (I know, I know), exhausted, guilty for being a mom who couldn’t interact with Forrest as much as I wanted, anxious that my home was a mess and I had every single laundry basket we own full of laundry to fold… the list goes on.

After the 10 minutes was up, I gave Forrest a big hug and a kiss and told him I needed to work. He felt better and I felt better. I hit all my deadlines.

Those 10 minutes of just getting the feelings out was worth it.

Here’s the thing: journaling might not be your thing. (Although, if you’re feeling frequently anxious or stressed, a journal is a great idea.) But there are lots of ways to just get the emotions out. You can sing along to a favorite old emo song. Call a friend to vent to. Let it out in the group text. Whatever works for you, talking about what’s going on can help so much.

2. Make it easy: find a routine that works for you.

Working from home is hard. And sometimes, reading all the tips in the world to work from home won’t help.

You need a routine and, specifically, you need one just for you. That’s why I’ve been writing a series of posts about routines; you can read them all here.

Here are a few of my suggestions to reduce stress in your routine:

• Schedule in breaks.

• Stagger your tasks. Mix harder, more mentally straining tasks with easier, simpler tasks.

• Make your environment happy for you. This is a big one: you can have the best routine in the world, but if the space you’re in makes you crazy, then it won’t help at all. You might not have the space for your own office, but setting aside a corner in your bedroom or dining room to make just yours will make a huge difference.

• Make sure you meet all your needs. That includes movement, time alone, time with others, time to relax, meals, coffee breaks… you can’t work 24/7 and never meet your basic needs. You simply can’t.

3. Make it simple: shed the tasks that aren’t serving you.

When you’re working in an office, there are sometimes tasks that you do that are so easy, you barely blink an eye. However, once things change, there may be tasks you need to talk to your work about to let them know: this doesn’t work, this won’t work, and I can’t keep doing it.

Here’s an example: I have a client who has a really roundabout process for completing tasks. In normal times, it would be no big deal, but right now, the chain of command has broken down so much, people are harder to reach, that it’s just impossible. Trying to chase down people to complete tasks was becoming a huge pain—so I let the client know, hey, this is driving me crazy, can we simplify this? And we did! Now, I don’t have to spend 2-3 hours every day trying to get in touch with people to pass on a document.

If something isn’t serving you or the people you work for… then change it. Make it easier. If you can’t reduce the stress, then try to remove it. Find a way to make it simpler for you to reduce the clutter of your day.

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Do you have any tips for reducing stress while working from home?

I do want to share a few things I do during the day that help me a lot that are more specific. Here are a few ways I take a break (both before and during quarantine!) while working from home:

• Do 10 minutes of step aerobics while watching TV.

• Listen to a podcast while I make a cup of tea.

• Sit outside with Remus.

• Water my flowers outside.

• Work on organizing my planner.

• Read a few articles on Buzzfeed or scroll my favorite Twitter accounts.

Thanks for reading!

Working from Home? Here Are My Top 4 Tips for Staying Productive

As we all work on social distancing to prevent a massive influx of those infected with COVID19, many jobs have moved to entirely remote positions. You might be one of those people: you’ve typically worked in office-only jobs, where you left everyday at the same time and knew what was expected.

First things first, working from home, especially right now with many people furloughed or laid off, is a huge privilege. I think we all know that!

It’s ok if you’re nervous about it too. It’s ok if you aren’t sure if you’ll like it. And it’s also ok if you know right now you don’t like it at all. That’s ok!

If you’re new to the working from home game, I want to help. Right now, there are so few things we can all do to help others and, as a fellow slightly displaced, a little confused worker, I want to help where I can. If there is one thing I know, it’s working from home! I am hoping that sharing a few tips for working from home will help at least once person.

If you want more posts about being productive while working from home, here are two of my favorites:

• How to know if working from home is for you

• How to practice self-care as a freelancer*

*Consider yourself an honorary freelancer now!

Now, let’s get to those tips.

1. Take Care of Yourself.

I want to tackle this one first because I think it’s the most important one. We are all going through something that is, quite honestly, very traumatic. Our lives are being completely turned upside down. We all have family and friends who are suddenly out of work. We all have immunocompromised, immunosuppressed, or at-risk family members and friends. Things are very stressful and it will be natural to have that stress keep up.

So most importantly, take care of yourself in whatever way you can. I highly recommend getting a self-care routine in place right from the get go. Why? Because the sooner you have that routine in place, the easier it will be to maintain when things get hard.

I always tell people there are two pieces of self-care: the actual self-care aspect (what you need to do to keep your mental health good) and self-soothing techniques. Here’s how they differentiate:

• Self care is: going to therapy; taking your medication; practicing deep breathing to slow your heart rate during a panic attack.

• Self-soothing is: taking a bubble bath; using a lotion that smells good and calms you down; turning the news off when you’re overwhelmed.

Spot the difference? I think for many, this makes it easier to understand. Your self-care routine should be a mix of all of these things. Now might be the time to sign up for Talkspace so you have access to a mental health professional. Or, if you already attend therapy, get your meetings arranged to be over Zoom or Skype now. Then, start thinking of self-soothing pieces you want. Do you want to set aside 40 minutes every evening for a bath? Schedule it in, babe!

2. Set Strict Work Hours.

I keep a work calendar for everyone I work with and I block out my work hours on every single one. If you text me outside of those work hours, or your email me on the weekend, I will not respond to you. Period. End of story. I used to be not so strict about those, but once Oregon implemented a stay-at-home order, I decided to be strict about it.

I like working. But I don’t like feeling overwhelmed by work.

So, my advice is this: make your work hours known and stick to them. Don’t let anyone talk you out of them. Not your boss. Not your coworkers. Not your partner who is inexplicably on a work call at 8pm. Don’t let them down it! Stick to your hours. Strictly. If you do decide to be loosy-goosy and start early, don’t work over 8 hours. You’re going to burn out; you’re going to get tired; you’re going to get overwhelmed and frustrated and stressed. Be kind to yourself. Set your work hours!!!

3. Designate a Work Space.

You might not have the space for an office. Trust me, I get it. My office used to be a landing on my stairwell. It was tiny and uncomfortable and I hated it in a lot of ways.

Even if you don’t have an office in your home or apartment, you can designate a space where The Work Happens. This might be your kitchen table, which has a nice plug. You might have a desk in your bedroom that works and has a window you can look out. Whatever works for you. Pick a work space and stick with it.

Just like setting your work hours, I want you to be strict about this with yourself. Here’s why:

• You have to maintain good posture and ergonomic working conditions. Why? Because this will vastly impact how you feel physically. Working on the couch sounds great until your back aches.

• You have a designated space where The Work Happens and when you are in that space, you work. When you are not in that space, you do not work. This is a big thing mentally. It will help you be more productive. I promise.

4. Practice Breaks.

Working from home means there are less interruptions. No coworkers stopping to chat for 15 or 20 minutes. No quick breaks to the bathroom where you end up joining a lively discussion about a TV show. No quick brainstorms. Everything is scheduled out.

That means you get less breaks, mentally. So, schedule breaks into your day. Take 10 minutes to call a friend or talk to your partner. Or take your dog for a walk. Make yourself a snack or a cup of coffee. Do something other than work for a few minutes, then get back to it. Breaking up the day will help you stay on task longer and not feel so burnt out and tired.

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There you have it! Those things might feel pretty basic, but as these days pass, I want you to focus on them and make sure to set and keep plenty of boundaries. Bringing your work into your home can be a great way to save money on gas and protect people from COVID19. But it can also be very stressful and overwhelming.

Here is a handy dandy graphic that breaks down the do’s and don’ts of working from home.

How to Know if Working From Home Is For You

If you’ve ever thought that working from home, or remotely, is the perfect option for you, I’m glad to have you here!

I know many mothers have considered the possibilities of working remotely, wondering if it would be easier (or more difficult) with kids. Working remotely is different from launching your own business or working for yourself; you have the stability of a paycheck, with the stipulation that you don’t have to be in an office everyday. But that doesn’t mean the job is any less rigorous or challenging day-to-day… and working from home, with or without kids, can add some speed bumps to that road as well.

There are many positions now that can be done entirely remotely. Things like copywriting, copyediting, project management, and more can be done remotely and many mothers possess those skills, even if they’ve never worked in those positions before. If you’re considering trying a remote position, I recommend looking for jobs in your area from the start. We’ll talk about why later on.

Here are a few benefits to working from home for moms:

• You spend less money on daycare. If you decide to go for a remote position, you’ll want to decide if you want to put your kids in daycare or keep them home with you. My recommendation is to test out both options. However, with a reduced commute and the possibility to have your kids with you a few days a week, you’ll drastically reduce the amount you spend on daycare.

• You’ll have more time for everything else. Working from home does not mean you’ll be able to do everything else in your house throughout the day; working 8 hours a day from home should mean you work 8 hours just like you would at home. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to throw in a load of laundry or start dinner earlier. Plus, again, without a commute, you’ll have more time to focus on what you need to—instead of driving around.

• You’ll feel less stressed. If you find the daycare drop off plus commute plus getting everything ready for the day plus trying to take care of your home very overwhelming… then working remotely can be a great option as it eliminates several of those things, or at least reduces the time crunch that is put on them.

However, when it comes to working from home, there are also some cons. It would be disingenuous for me to not include those. Here are a few:

• Work-life balance becomes way more challenging. You work in your home. You take care of your kids while you work. The boundaries become much more blurred and it can be hard to manage both. Part of the challenge of working remotely is knowing how to set your boundaries, and that comes with time.

• You’ll feel isolated. When I went back to work after having Forrest, and before I started working from home more frequently, I was so excited to go back to work primarily because I wanted to see other adult humans. There is value in being around other people, even if you’re an introvert, like me.

• You have additional requirements. Working from home isn’t a free-for-all. Most businesses will require check ins and, if your workplace is more local to you, that means occasional check ins in person. If your workplace isn’t near you, you might be required to travel there to check in every once and a while. It just depends.

If you look over these lists and think, it sounds like a challenge, but one that’s exciting for me!, then working from home might be for you. Let’s go over a few more points.

What Skills Can You Offer?

There are some skills that are just plan more suited to working from home than others. If you have a long career of a job that can now be done pretty much 100% online (like payroll, copywriting, and more), you probably can work from home relatively successfully, with maybe a few in-person check ins per month. Some workplaces as well as more suited to remote workers as well. If your workplace has a system like Slack in place for in-office messages, then it’s much easier to work from home. If not, it can be more challenging to work remotely.

You’ll want to consider how your skills can be used remotely and how it would effect your performance. Do you think you could be as productive of an employee from home? Is your workplace equipped for a remote employee or would you be applying for a new position? These are all things to take into account when it comes to working from home or remotely.

How Are Your Time Management Skills?

Working from home means you’re managing your own schedule. No one will stop by your desk to remind you of something; no one will be watching you to make sure you’re working and not, say, drifting to sleep on the couch while watching Hallmark Movies. It’s easy to do when you work from home; it’s easy to get distracted, to start trying to handle everything on your to do list in your home (like all that laundry you need to fold or emptying the dishwasher). But when you are working from home, you have to resist the urge to start doing those things. It’s very easy to slip into the mindset that you can always make it up, that people don’t know. But the more you focus on your work away from your actual job, the harder it will be to catch up and actually get things done.

You have to be able to be strict with yourself, manage your time appropriately, and prioritize. If that’s not something you can do, then forget it.

Can You Handle the Mental Health Aspect?

As I said, working from home can blur the lines between your life and your work. The same is true for people who own their own businesses, of course. But when you work remotely for someone else, you can feel really isolated from your coworkers and your workplace. Part of the benefit of working in an office is being able to connect with other people in your work space and being able to connect and socialize. If you work remotely, there is less of that and you may start to feel isolated. As well, spending days not leaving your house in the winter can be hard. You have to be able to set a routine in place so you don’t end up wearing the same pajamas or sweatpants for an entire week without leaving your house.

For many, office politics can be one of the most challenging parts of their job; for that reason, working remotely can be a blessing. However, it’s important to remember that we’re all social beings, even if we’re introverts, so it’s something to consider when you decide to work from home.

5 Tips to Make Working from Home Easier

It's easy to think that working from home will be, well, easy. You're in the comfort of your own home. You can stay in your pajamas. You can eat a real breakfast, drink as much coffee as you want, lounge in bed as you look at spreadsheets. 

Reality sets in promptly the first time you try to work from home. At least for me. The moment I started working from home a lot (when I was pregnant with Forrest, primarily), it's like everything in my house became way more... distracting. I worked from home an average of 2 or 3 days a week when I was pregnant, thanks in part to exhaustion, preeclampsia, and morning sickness. There were days where it felt like I could not focus and, of course, days where I got everything I needed done completed so I could wallow in bed and try not to throw up again. 

I don't work from home anymore. Why? Well, working from home with a toddler is near impossible. (If you somehow achieve this, I need your secrets.) I do work from home if Forrest is at my mom's or daycare, like when I was sick in March. 

If you're thinking of starting to take some work from home days, these tips are for you. 

1. Have a "I'm working" spot. 

And I don't mean the desk where you normally charge your computer. I've always been a person who has a desk where I spend most of my evenings, but I know this is becoming less and less common. However, when I'm working from home, I clear another space in my house--usually the kitchen table--to be my "office." Having a clearly designated space, as if I was actually in my work office, helps me to stay focused. 

2. Use the same background noise that you use at work. 

If you listen to music, or podcasts, at work, do that at home too. When I first started working from home, I tried to use my "at home" background noise--the TV--and found it way too distracting. If I listen to music or a podcast, it's like my brain assumes I really am at work and I stay more focused. 

3. Use that familiar study tip: take 10 minute breaks every 30 minutes. 

Honestly, I do this at work (in the office) too. Every 30 minutes, stand up, stretch, walk around for 10 minutes. Then get back to work. Your brain will feel remarkably refreshed and you'll be better able to focus. 

4. If you can, turn off the Wifi. 

If you have the kind of job where you don't need a 24/7 connection to the internet, turn off your Wifi when you're really getting into a task. I often do this when I'm trying to write and getting distracted by Twitter notifications and everything the internet has to offer. 

5. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. 

Hey, if you try to work from home (to reduce commute costs or because you're sick), and it's just not working--hey, that's ok. It's not for everybody! Don't try to keep forcing it if you are aware that you aren't getting everything done or achieving the goals you want. It's possible that getting out of the house might help--working from a coffee shop or bookstore might work better for you. Or, maybe you're just an office kind of person.