Navigating WFH: Tips from Our Community
by Sara Santora
I’ve been working since I was 16 years old. In that time, I’ve held a variety of job titles, including but not limited to: barista, recital hall technician, and managing editor. Though each job could not have been more different than the last in terms of daily responsibilities and pay structure, they all shared two things in common: they were collaborative, and occured on-site.
The pandemic, however, has changed the way most of us work. While many have returned to the office, others—like myself—have made kitchens and living rooms their permanent offices.
As a social person, I loved the office environment. And while I have also learned to love the freedom that comes with being a remote employee, it can also feel isolating, and I often find it difficult to stay energized and creative.
To help make the transition easier, I asked several fellow remote employees from the BWH community about their work-from-home setups and routines. Here’s what they had to say.
Where do you typically work? Does your WFH spot change throughout the day/week?
Graciela Cain: I work at a desk, and sometimes I move to the table, but I always make sure to have a neck pillow for support.
Sandy Russo: I have a dedicated desk with sliding glass doors, because my husband is also a remote worker, and we are both loud.
Meghan Davis: I work in my room at a desk. I have a monitor and a laptop, so I usually work there, but if I get really tired in the afternoon, I’ll usually take my laptop and work from my bed or the couch. I worked at a coffee shop for the first time recently, so I think I might make that a Friday thing.
Mimi Nakis: Part of the week is spent in an office environment paid out-of-pocket where I can rent a hot desk. The other part of the week is spent at home working from the kitchen table.
What are some WFH essentials that you recommend readers use to stay focused/organized/creative
Graciela: Google. Calendar. Also, create rituals and routines to support your day. Have a designated area for your workspace that isn’t in an area that you use for other things.
Sandy: Ember Mug has become my best friend so I’m not constantly going to reheat my coffee to procrastinate. Also AirPods Pros. Even when I am not listening to anything, I use the noise-canceling feature.
Meghan: Definitely headphones, a weekly calendar to write work projects/chores/to-do lists/weekly routines, a stand for your phone. And now I put flowers on my desk every week—it helps to brighten my space and actually keeps it cleaner. Who wants desk clutter around flowers?!
Mimi: I recommend noise-canceling headphones and working in a designated space with minimal distraction. Maybe set your phone to “Do Not Disturb,” put it in another room, and use your laptop to play music. I also recommend typical office supplies to make your job easier, like a monitor, notebooks and pens.
How do you transition from your morning routine to sitting down to work? Do you drive around the block? Grab a coffee?
Graciela: Take sacred pauses! When you break, make sure to not work. Use your lunch break to eat and not work. Go outside and walk around. Get your body moving, and know you are more than your productivity.
Sandy: I force myself to put on makeup every morning, even if I stay in my pajamas. It’s “this is my work face,” like war paint.
Mimi: I make breakfast and/or tea, take the dog for a walk, and then sit down at the desk and sort through emails to get started.
For those who have never met their coworkers and live in a different city than friends/family: how do you meet people and create a social routine?
Graciela: If your job has a water cooler time, join in! Talk to folx and get to know them. Having that time to socialize is so essential and needed. I also create space on the weekend to spend time with friends and family.
Meghan: I’ve never met any of my coworkers in person, but I’ve messaged some people a few times to try to build relationships that way.
Mimi: I’ve encouraged my manager to have virtual happy hours with games to get to know the teammates that I’m not necessarily speaking to on a daily basis. I also just reached out to a team member to chat one-on-one to get to know each other, and now we will sometimes sit on the phone for hours in the day to chat and work together on tasks. As for living in a new city, I’ve met up with distant relatives that live in the area and started making friends. I’ve also used Bumble BFF to meet people and it worked out, so I definitely recommend it.
Any additional tips you feel are worth adding?
Graciela: Create routines and create a schedule for yourself. Taking breaks is important and necessary for your mental health, and eyes. Protect them. Drink water and eat food that gives you energy and substance.
Meghan: A comfortable chair makes all the difference! Try to get outside before you start work; it makes it feel like you’re in more places than just your house all day.
Mimi: Take regular walks to get outside during the day, and join a gym or some sort of club that you need to attend to get you out of the house after work and interacting with people since you’re not socializing enough to meet the basic human need.
It can be hard to create new habits while also working, parenting and/or taking care of the home full-time, so be patient with yourself. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Sara is an editor and freelance writer based in Washington D.C.. After graduating from Florida State University with her degree in Editing, Writing and Media, she worked hard to secure several jobs in writing and publishing, and currently writes for Newsweek. In her downtime, she loves to visit River Road, her favorite coffee shop; try new restaurants around town; and read books from her long to-be-read pile.
