In August of 2020, I was permanently laid off from my dream job. Initially, I had all the standard concerns. How would I make money? What if I never found work I loved again? When would my life get back to its predictable rhythms? Overwhelmed, I decided to take some time off from job hunting to re-evaluate what it was I wanted to do next. I expected this to be a relaxing and leisurely experience. I saw myself sitting in a sunny spot by my west-facing front window, journaling about the changing landscape of my work needs and desires until that glorious “aha!” moment hit, and I’d transition from confused and jobless to focused and jobbed.
Of course, it didn’t work that way. There were several days of sunny morning musings and even a few moments of insight, but after a bit of journaling, I’d usually end up in an endless loop of Netflix binges and all-day grazing, still sporting my pajamas. It quickly became apparent how difficult it was to move from a completely structured and very busy workday with colleagues to an unstructured and rather idle day spent alone in my home. I realized my initial concerns about money and work could only be addressed if I created an organized routine to get through my days, regardless of that day’s activities.
I read a multitude of online articles (this one got me started) about routines, self-management, and creating structure from scratch. Most of my reading suggested that a structured day started with simple things before “working hours” began. Making my bed immediately after leaving it. Showering. Dressing for a workday. Creating a “commute.” These activities helped, but they only covered the first hour or so of my morning. I needed more: a routine I could rely on that got me into the right headspace to get my butt into my office chair and stay there. After a bit of experimenting (and a lot more reading), I found a schedule that addressed my need for structure, but also provided me with emotional, mental, and physical boosters throughout the day. Now my weekdays usually look something like this.
1. Start With a To-Do List
Sometimes I will create a to-do list the evening before, but I still re-address it the morning of each new day. I might add or remove an item or re-organize it according to shifting priorities. This is the very first thing I do when I sit down in my office. Not only does it create an itemized routine, but it also signals a mental shift. Here I am in my office to get work done. This isn’t a Netflix day or an internet surfing day. This is a workday with clearly specified items to get through. I like to use the habit tracking app Done to ensure that I am sticking to my daily routines (drinking enough water, working out, taking my vitamins) and good old sticky notes to jot down new or pressing items.
2. Write a Gratitude Note
Writing a quick one or two-sentence note about the simple pleasures helps me start my day with a positive outlook. It also reminds me that the little joys like a warm mug of Earl Gray tea, a cat in my lap, or an unexpected phone call from an old friend add up to create an overall sense of well-being in my life. I collect the notes in a decorative jar throughout the year and on December 31, I drop them into a manila envelope, mark it with the year, and store it in a magazine file. Some people prefer using a gratitude journal to keep everything all in one place, but I’m content with my method for now.
3. Meditate for 5-10 Minutes
I meditate immediately after writing my gratitude note; the note sets the tone, and the meditation allows me to sit with it for a little longer. It helps me slow down, focus on my breath, and remove any residual stress before my workday has even started. I’ve explored several meditation apps, and the one I prefer is Headspace. I love creator Andy Puddicombe’s soothing voice and supportive suggestions. I especially like that I can choose a meditation based on mood, activity, or time.
4. Proceed with List Items
This is when I get down to business. When I first started with this routine, I wasn’t working, so my list usually consisted of researching jobs, writing resumes, and sending them out. I’d stop for lunch and repeat. Now that I am working from home and continuing to build my writing business, my list items are a mix of client and personal work. It changes daily and I enjoy the variety each week brings.
5. Take a Lunch Break
This seems obvious, but it’s incredibly easy to forget to take breaks when you work from home. When I first lost my job, I had very little structure. I’d eat when I felt like it, which meant I often didn’t eat until my stomach was screaming at me for sustenance. Now I make sure to take a lunch break, which allows me to leave my office to indulge in a book or some guilty pleasure tv watching (Bridgerton Season 2, anyone?).
6. Write for an Hour
The nature of my work means that I am writing throughout my day, but this hour is just for me. No client work, just a full uninterrupted hour of any writing I choose to do. Sometimes it’s journaling, sometimes it’s working on a creative nonfiction piece, and sometimes I free write just to see what’s bouncing around in my brain. Since writing is such a solitary business, I like to join a writers’ group to be in the supportive and positive presence of others with like-minded goals. I’ve joined many groups over the years, but the one I use for my dedicated personal writing hour is London Writers’ Salon.
7. Take Stock of My Accomplishments
When you work from home it’s easy to forget to stop working. You remember a small task at 7 pm, run into your office to fix it, and find yourself working for another hour or so. Thus, I’ve implemented a firm end to my day, usually around 7-8 hours after I’ve started working. I mark it by tidying up my desk, closing my laptop, and checking off the items I’ve finished on my to-do list. I am usually surprised to find that I accomplished more than I thought I did; that sense of satisfaction carries into the rest of my evening.
My daily routine isn’t particularly groundbreaking, but it has become the key for me to work from home successfully; it is the difference between floundering and flourishing. I look forward to implementing new tweaks and tools as my business continues to grow, but for now, this routine serves me well.