Dream Believers

Category: Working from Home

My Home office wishlist

Now that I have moved to London and have started making this flat our home, my home office dreams are so close to coming true. My excitement for finally being able to have a home office has meant lots of Pinterest searches and looking at various websites. I have started a check list of my most important elements of home office so thought I would share it with you:
Layout
Firstly I would love it if I could have a home office with a lot of natural light. Ideally a room with a large window, good air circulation and room for making the space my own. My partner works from home a lot of the time and we may end up sharing the room. More reasons to be able to make at least my home office section ‘mine’.
Laptop vs pc
Desktop vs Laptop
The laptop I currently have is the one that got me through uni. I graduated in 2012… During university laptops were easier. Carting them about between home, revision sessions, mates houses, the library and lectures (or to use in the breaks in between). Now I am looking at setting up a home office though, I think a ‘proper’ computer setup might make more sense.
Luckily my partner is very techy so I know I can ask him about all things computers. In fact he recently bought a new setup for himself as he needed the higher specs. If I’m cheeky enough maybe I can nab some of his old elements. I could then just gradually upgrade if and when I need to. That’s a good idea actually…
For what I really need a computer for I’m not sure I actually NEED a desktop computer. I can probably find a decent laptop to work on. That would also then give me the freedom to go and work in a café if I want to (now that they are opening up again). I always liked the idea of having a proper PC and getting back into my gaming. However, they do take up a lot more room. Back to the drawing board on that one I think.
My Home Office Seating
This for me is the most important thing. My back hasn’t been in great shape for a while, but working from home during covid has made it worse. As WFH was sprung on us quite quickly and we weren’t sure how long it would last I decided not to invest in an office chair. Regretting that decision now. Sitting on dining chairs, my bed or on our sofas has not been kind to my spine.
I would love a desk chair with a tall back, adjustable height and angle. A bonus would be if it already had the additional lumbar support but as you can get cushions for this purpose I could always add that later on anyway.
To go with the seat I would also like to get a foot rest so that I can make sure I am always sat in the best position for my back. With the exercises and other things I am starting to put into place I am hoping to counteract most of the unhealthy habits I have had over the last decade or so.
Desk
For the desk I would like something quite basic, as I am planning to have the chair as an investment piece I will be looking for bargains for the rest of the set up unless one really catches my eye. I like the idea of one that sort of engulfs the chair, the corner and U-shaped desks. If I have to have a standard rectangular table though I will not be disheartened.
I prefer to have a clean desk at the start and end of each work day as this seems to help with my mental health as well as organisation. Having a few drawers under the table would be super helpful for this.
My Home Office Stationery
I absolutely love stationery! I used to get so excited when a new school year started because I always bought a brand new pencil case, set of pens and so many other little bits to set me up for the year.
Setting up a home office is another great excuse to buy a matching set of stationery. I will also purchase storage sets to make the desk look beautiful. Having somewhere to tidy away my pens, post its and other bits and bobs would be extremely helpful. A tiered tray to sort through the majority of the paperwork into important, urgent and other would be great too.
The end goal is to make my home office space something even The Home Edit team would be proud of. I have been searching on Pinterest for desk ideas and I am so excited about making a home office and finally having my own creative space.
Decorations
The final step is to make the space feel like me. After purchasing and sorting out the desk, chair, stationery and where it will go within the room. No doubt there will be some kind of pin board, inspirational quotes and some art. Pops of colour will be something I look for as the main elements of my home office will be quite mundane looking.
I will keep mostly neutral tones but I do love it when brights are thrown in with it as well. I think it all depends what styles I find the quotes I want to have in. TJLubrano prints will definitely feature, I loooooove her artwork. Stunning designs andd colours (plus she used to have lots of Disney and Harry Potter artwork which I own too). Recently I have purchased several more of TJ’s prints, this time including some quotes, so I think those will be the first to go on display. Then I can buy other designs and quotes that will fit with the colourschemes and feel of the space.
What about you?
How would you design your home office? What are your key elements? Do you already have a home office? Are there any website/store recommendations you have for me?
As this will be my first ever home office I would love your advice. Send me messages or write a comment and let me know your tips 🙂
Hope you are having the best day and taking more steps towards creating your dream life.

20 May 2021
Working from home – 5 tips for staying motivated

Working from home
This relatively new way of working has become an even more popular since the start of the Covid 19 pandemic. Almost an entire year of being shut in our homes, or at least not able to socialise. Keys workers and many other professionals have been unable to stop going out to work. Many have sadly lost their jobs and tried to survive on furlough or benefits. Those lucky enough have been adapting to working from home throughout. We had a little break of less restrictive rules in between national and local lock downs but the respite did not last long.
With all the weird stuff going on and the additional struggles to cope with, working from home has had additional challenges the last year. It has therefore been a great time to test and work out the best methods on how to do so successfully.
Using this last year as a kind of trial I have come to the conclusion that I would like to work remotely on a more permanent basis in the future. I have been lucky enough to be able to work from home throughout the entire pandemic. Although we are now hopefully at the end of the lock downs, I thought I would share my tips for how I managed to stay (mostly) sane and self-motivated.
1- Get into a working from home routine
Maintain a work day routine. No matter whether you are choosing to work from home or if it is due to the current lock down situation, routines really can help. Whether that’s starting your day with breakfast, a morning run, showering, or just getting out of your pj’s. No matter how tempting it is to stay in your pyjamas, getting up and dressed into some kind of work clothes can really help you get into the right frame of mind for work.
When I have not had the energy to implement my morning routine it has really thrown my day out of whack. It’s amazing how much a morning routine can effect your day.
2- Planning
Knowing your goals for the day, week, month and year can really help with motivation and focus. Plan what you want to achieve within the year, then break that down into monthly and weekly goals. Each morning set out your daily goals and block out your day. Planning out how you will spend your work time is a great way of starting your work day. Block out your day in hour length time slots, one task per slot to optimise focus and include variety. Within your plan include breaks away from the screen and lunch breaks. Knowing the structure of your day down to these specifics will help you to focus on each goal/task one at a time.
3- Exercise around your working from home hours
Before or after work, or even on your lunch break, whenever works best within your routine. When we are cooped up indoors all day it is important to take time to move. During the day make sure you are stretching your legs regularly. Even if it’s just by getting up to go to the loo or to get a drink.
After work you could dedicate an hour block to movement. You could go for a walk around your local area, do yoga or pilates, weight training, HIIT workouts or so many other options. If you need a guide you could download a fitness app, find a virtual class, follow along to a fitness tutorial on YouTube or join a gym (once Covid restrictions permit it). No matter what exercise you do it can help both your physical and mental health. 30 mins every day could make a world of difference to your body in so many ways.
4- Self care
Firstly – be patient with yourself. If you have not worked from home before this may be a difficult transition.
When self care is mentioned it is often thought of as the bubble baths and face mask sessions but at it’s core self care is listening to you body and mind and looking after them. That’s how I see it anyway. Don’t get me wrong, the pamper sessions are lovely, but make sure you’re doing the other self care work too. Getting a chair you will be comfortable sitting in day in, day out. Know what environment you need to focus and work well. Do you need to play music? Sit in silence? Meditate before you sit down at your desk? Listen to your body and try to accommodate it.
5- Social time
Working from home is often a very solitary venture. Even if you are an introvert, having some kind of social time can help your motivation and prevent you feeling isolated. At the moment we are having to stick to virtual socialising but although it is not quite the same, it’s better than no interaction at all and can benefit us hugely.
When we can socialise in person again you could meet someone for a quick coffee. Or you could go out for lunch. It can really help to break up your day. Make plans for your evenings or the weekend. Even if it’s to sit with your furry friend and/or partner on the sofa all day Saturday and binge watch your favourite show.
Having time away from work, out of your house can be a great way to regain energy. It would also reduce isolation and boredom. However, know your limits, listen to your body. Don’t make so many plans that you burn yourself out. We only have 24 hours in a day and you need to be getting enough rest. Find that perfect balance for you, it will be different for everyone.
A natural at working from home
It may take a while to get into a full swing, but using these tips will hopefully help you be able to stay on top of most of the changes and keep up your motivation and energy levels.
What other tips would you give people who are starting to or struggling with WFH?

19 March 2021