I like to switch up my laptop case every once in a while — spruce up the WFH life.

Etsy is one of my favorite sources for unique designs (plus support some very talented artists). Shop below or click on the linked images above!

What TF Is Happening?

Officially going into week 3 of social distancing… that’s 3 weeks since I last saw co-workers, friends, or anyone really. When this all began, I reached out to an IG friend in Milan to see how he was doing - at the time - he was holed up at home for 4 weeks (!!!) and I couldn’t understand that feeling. Everything was so surreal. I felt crazy. I felt lost. As humans, we crave social interaction, we’re social beings by nature - this was the concept of my thesis final. That in times of global pandemic and crisis, we eventually turn to each other to help and seek comfort. This idea revolved around the concept of a “third place,” a single public space open to all (year-long project that covered how it could be converted into a crisis center when needed…eerie). Since we need to avoid physical interaction at all costs, social media has become my third place. It’s been a blessing to have my community there. We may not physically be all together, but we are still there.

I’ve talked to countless friends and followers, each one of us struggling in our own ways. It’s strange to say I feel close to some I’ve never even met IRL, but I do. While sharing the news is scary to see and read, I’ve loved seeing the positivity, the determination, the honesty online. We’re all struggling, and it’s okay to admit it. I feel lost ALL THE TIME — but I’ve come to learn a few tips that have helped me when I’m feeling down.

1. first of all - allow yourself to feel

   There is no right way to feel right now, what we’re feeling is a strange (unprecedented) form of grief. We lost time with friends, we lost our routines, we lost our jobs, we feel lost. Now, more than ever, I think it’s okay to admit that we feel lost. It’s okay to turn to someone and open up about it. Because for the first time, we ALL feel the same loss, and there’s no right answer on how to fix that feeling. Having dealt with loss in the past, I know we all grieve in different ways, so allow yourself to feel.

2. Have a Routine

   Every morning I wake up at the same time and do my bed. It’s small and tedious, but it gives me a starting point! Most of us lost our regular routines, so we need to make new ones. I am a creature of habit — I have little rituals I follow that help me know where my time is going. Whether it’s a one hour morning routine to replace my usual commute time to work, or getting dressed in the morning to start the day. Having some stability in knowing your routine and schedule helps us gain a little control back into our lives.

3. Keep a Schedule

   Safe at home but getting cabin fever, the best thing I’ve learned is to keep a to-do list and schedule. It helps keep me productive and somewhat sane because I know what I want to do. We don’t HAVE to be productive (#1 priority is doing what you feel) but to help keep me on a routine and constant flow of emotions, I love to get things done. It can be from doing laundry to write a blog post.

4. Designate zones

   Not to talk more about the “third place” theory, but in general, we’re accustomed to 3 categories of places and that’s (1) home, (2) office, and (3) public spaces. The problem with staying at home all day, every day, is we’ve lost access to other places. Specifically those of us working from home have had to suddenly figure out how to make it work, setting up laptops all throughout the house trying to find the right spot. To work from home, I’ve learned to designate zones in my bedroom to help organize myself. First and foremost, my sleeping area (aka my bed) is my first place: home — which means I do NOT work from my bed. The furthest point in my bedroom from my bed is where I set up a little desk area as my second place: office. The space in between (closest to my bedroom door) is the “transition” third place. Creating comfortable spaces for myself helps me get in the mindset similar to that of entering/leaving the office.

5. Be Mindful of Yourself

   There are times when I can get so caught up in what I’m doing I forget to

6. Do What Makes You Feel Good

   Finally — do what makes you feel good. This can be including a workout routine, checking in on friends (Zoom has been fun to use), listen to music, listen to podcasts, start a Youtube, watch a new Netflix show. Anything that makes you happy while stuck at home.

1. Make a schedule! I cannot stress this enough! Write down everything from the time you want to wake up to the time you want to go to sleep. It will keep you accountable and productive. Even for projects (personal or work) if the deadline isn’t asap, allot a number of hours for it and then move on!

2. Drink Water I noticed that at work, I get up to refill my water bottle the minute it is empty. At home, though I wasn’t doing that- no easy filtered cooler. So I purchased my Brita replacement filters and got a cute large mason jar and started setting water goals (include this in your schedule/to-do list). Also, spice up your water with lemon or chlorophyll.

3. Take Breaks In the office you are probably getting up a few times a day whether it’s for a meeting or to talk to a friend or to grab lunch. You are also moving more to actually get to work vs your living room or home office. Make sure to schedule in a quick lunch break walk and then an after-work walk or jog. Keep step goals going.

4. Workout There are so many at-home workout videos available for free that there is no excuse. There is something for everyone on YouTube. Also, now during quarantine, a lot of your favorite studios are live streaming workouts as well as posting videos on their websites. Schedule one in the morning, at lunch, or after work.

5. Create a Morning Routine If you listen to some of the most successful people in the world, you will learn that they have a morning routine. I started one a few months ago and let me tell you, it makes a difference. I feel calmer and clearer and honestly have better days. What better time to start one than when you are at home and have the time. Mine includes a quick 5-10 meditation where I say what I am grateful for and then do a couple of breathing exercises followed by a stretch and a few yoga moves (or a 30 min workout if I have time). I then drink warm water with lemon and make a celery or fruit homemade juice.

6. Listen to Music Whenever I want to put myself in a better mood, I put on music. There are so many fun stations to explore on Spotify that I never get bored, and you can search by mood too. Put some on even in the middle of the day and dance it out like no one is watching (because no one is!)

7. Check-in on Friends Whether you are quarantined alone or cooped up with someone, text, or facetime your friends. You never know who might need some companionship and it is also good for you to interact (even virtually) with people other than who you are with, just as you would at work.

8. Don’t work in Bed Understood that this might be hard if you have a really tiny studio, but if you can make space anywhere else then do so. Your bed should always be your space to sleep. You shouldn’t even have electronics in the bedroom and having a dedicated space to work will make you more productive as well.

9. Get Dressed Do NOT stay in your pajamas all day. Throwing on sweats is fine but also make sure to change them up a few times a week.

10. Sign Off I find that I am still sitting at my computer some days until 6 pm and unless an emergency comes through at the last minute, try to sign off at 5 or 5:30. This way people will see you are unavailable and won’t expect a response that evening.