How to work from home without losing the plot (V.2)
I actually wrote this blog in 2020 whilst I was freelancing as a graphic designer. I did that for 6 years until I got asked to go full time with Unsplash, who I’d been working with part time for a few years at that point.
So this is where I’m coming from now.
I’ve been full time with them since 2021 and working with them for 6 years 🙌
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I’ve been out of the office now for 9 years (yikes), I worked in them for 19 — I’m actually not sure I could go back to that way of working 🧐
I also said that I wouldn’t write a thing about working from home, because everyone has done it — but I still see lots about people struggling especially with the mental health side of things, so I’m going to offer up my undemanding take.
If you’re new to home working, or have been forced into home working here are some down to earth tips that could help you get through your day;
🤺 Keep boundaries with response times
Have set working hours — if you’re 9am–5pm, stick to it. It’s important for your mental health.
If you’re working for a company, I feel like it’s easier than if you’re new to freelancing, you have to get to the desk for a certain time, there’ll be meetings, you have to be accountable. A routine is important.
I spent time in the early days appeasing clients at all hours, until I got myself some boundaries, it makes life easier for both of you — France even has a ‘right to disconnect law’, they seem to have some very inclusive and humane laws that Britain could do with.
📣 Keep communication simple
For me, business communication needs to be formal, with that I mean having boundaries with where you communicate — I grew up in the 80s and did secretarial training in the 90s but I really do think it helps keep things in order when you’re handling everything on your own.
I don’t use Whatsapp or Facebook Messenger, I communicated with clients via email only during the job or project. I do get DMs on social platforms to kick things off, but always move things over to email / video chat / phone call so that it’s in one place.
But however you do it, keep things simple, keep your boundaries — if clients or your boss Whatsapp you at 4am, it’s up to you if you have your notifications on or if you respond, but know that whatever you do will set precedents for the future.
👠 Wear shoes
This is my favourite early working-from-home story. When I first started I wanted to get into the ‘office vibe’ — I had to work in my lounge where I lived so I needed to create concious and subconcious separations — every day before I sat down I put some shoes on (not slippers or bare feet) so it felt like I was in the office and not lounging around at home. It worked. But as time goes on, WFH became the norm, now I’m in my comfy slippers all day.
🔇 The silence can become deafening
I missed colleagues when I was freelancing. So during that time I joined several online freelance groups, they helped me stay sane especially during the first coronavirus lockdown and I made some good friends and supporters.
These groups really did help me realise I’m not alone, and that other people are in the same boat, it really makes a difference.
However, working from home whilst you work for a remote working company can be tricky. So I’ve had to make sure I have physical contact consistently, we have occasional coworking days, which always help. I have to make sure I get out of the house for several small walks a day — I’m also currently working out where else I can work, depending on money and location.
Seeing people in person is also important, take steps for yourself, everyone is different so you have to find what you need to battle any loneliness you feel. But please don’t ignore it.
📃 Don’t forget the formalities
It’s easy to forget business formalities when working from the comfort of your own home. Get everything in writing. Especially anything to do with money. This article from Dinghy outlines why it’s important to have a contract.
This was handy when I was freelancing, it’s also handy when working for someone. Make sure you save everything you sign and agree to.
🧠 Mental health
The psychological side of freelancing and home working didn’t used to get as much press as the practicals. Here’s a survey revealing the impact working from home during covid had on society.
You might be a home worker already, thanks to the coronavirus, but before old habits get bedded in, take some time to analyse what you’re up to.
👓 Staying focused
This one is a tough one, with so many distractions online and off, it needs real thought. We’re all different, so some things that work for one may not work for another.
I have 🐵 monkey brain, I like to be doing several things at once, but know that sometimes this doesn’t work and I end up looking on social media and doomscrolling when I should be focused on something.
So I asked a few fellow home workers for their personal tips;
- Keep a routine. A really important one, making sure you have a specific time for work and specific times for ‘play’
- If your schedule is intense, think about getting help from somewhere else. If you’re struggling with a task regularly, it might need outsourcing
- Work out when you’re most productive, I’m have the most energy in the mornings (mostly) so tend to do all the important stuff then
- Keep your phone in another room (no distractions is very useful)
- Don’t allow yourself access to web pages that you know will take your mind away from the job in hand
- The Pomodoro Technique is meant to help you work smarter — I’ve not tried it yet, but I’ve heard good things
- Organise your work environment for you, I like zero clutter, and lots of white space, anything over and above that it hurts my head
- Make lists, so you’re not filling your head with things that aren’t necessary all the time, and then refer to it when needed
- Music / audible things, listen to something that motivates you, have something on to break any silences if you need it. Keep the silence if that’s necessary
- Take breaks — I sometimes want to just get it all done, leaving breaks until I’ve worn myself completely out. It sometimes works, but mostly doesn’t, recognise when you’re feeling worn out, step away from what you’re doing
- We all know too much screen time isn’t healthy, so get away from them all. Being outdoors really helps me. Get some time, however you prefer it, away from the blue light.
Thank you for taking the time to have a read through this. I’m a big fan of the psychological life and working out how to make life nicer with tricks and tips, so I’ll be hopefully getting back into the swing of things writing more stuff now I’m back in the zone 🖤
— nik
