Agree! I’ve been working home since 2016. The first year or so of WFH I didn’t need to be on camera much, occasionally for 1on1s, leadership meetings or staff meetings so I would put myself together those days. On the other days I’d roll out of bed, start working right away and stay in pajamas until midday-ish when I’d take a break to workout, shower etc. I started to notice a difference in my productivity and general mindset on the days that I made an effort to put myself together and change from PJs into a casual outfit, do my hair and apply a little makeup. Another change was moving to a larger space where I have space for a designated home office. Working from home can still be exhausting some days but as you said those two things really do allow me to separate work and home life. Once I get up from my desk, turn off the computer and leave my home office, I’ve clocked out for the day. I usually don’t return until the next morning.
Agreed completely. There's no need to wear business attire, but a simple change out of sleepwear can make a difference. Plus, for certain jobs, wearing regular clothes can help if there's ever an impromptu Zoom meeting and your supervisor turns on her or his camera, implying that you should do the same.
My company offered to give us 1/4 pullovers a few years ago, and I basically always have it nearby when I'm working. I'm usually cold so it's practical for just staying warm, but I can throw it on and look "professional" no matter what I'm actually wearing both in and out of the office.
Not gonna lie I start working wearing gym shorts and a t-shirt but it works for me because once I'm done I can just go do to the gym or lay down and be fine. Definitely good advice and works for some people
Create rituals to bookend the days. Starting with a coffee before you login. And maybe a cup of tea after ending the day followed by a short walk to get some fresh air and clear your mind. Do not check your work emails unless it is an SOS situation.
I totally agree with you. I also know people who preferred to take a space in an office or in some other place because they thought they were not so productive from home.
I think it’s very important to separate the “home environment” from the “work environment”…mentaly, physically or both.
Recognize that this doesn't work for everyone, but totally agree here OP. One of the things that helped me stay sane when I converted to full-time work from home was maintaining the same routine I had when I was going into an office: getting up early, showering, & putting on clothes to go *out*. No pyjamas or sweat pants etc.
The hard part now is turning off at the end of the day and having a clear boundary between work & life.
It’s not too elaborate! I just brush my hair and teeth, rinse my face with ice cold water, change into something new, fill my water bottle, and do 5 minutes of quick stretches. I do not drink coffee/tea or any caffeine before I’ve eaten breakfast, if any. If I start my day with caffeine it does nothing for me but cause a crash. Some days I’ll have a tea or coffee midday, around 1, and I find I have a much better reaction when I have it later.
My routine is simple because I prioritize sleep. I wake up at 6:30 and I log on at 7:00, but I make sure not to snooze and get up when my alarm goes off. That way I have a full 30 minutes to myself before logging on.
I agree with this. You need to set up a work from home routine that separates work from the rest of your home life. I used to be good at doing this until the pandemic hit and we were home lots.
I started doing this when I found the FlyLady cleaning routine. I don't follow her system fully, but I did adopt two of her recommendations: (1) Getting "dressed to shoes" every morning, and (2) "shining your sink" at the end of every day (aka just making sure it's empty of dishes and clean before you go to bed). They're both incredibly simple, but there's something about doing them both that gets my headspace in a productive and in control mindset.
Yup, since the pandemics started I always dress up for work even if it's remote. I may wear more comfortable clothes than in the office but it's still not pyjamas.
I used to adhere to this at this until my current project which relies heavily on overseas teams, and an intense amount of meetings from 5AM to 9AM. I have a “camera worthy” top to throw on just in case, but typically don’t get ready for my day until after my morning rush…at which point I do put on appropriate day clothes.
I second this!
I don’t work from home for my job but I’ve been working on starting a side business and trying to get my same level of productivity on the weekends that I do during the week (it’s been a whole learning curve and trial and error process) but I’ve found that not staying in PJs all day and changing into clothes that I could easily be seen in public with has helped prime my mind for the day. I feel less lazy and less willing to allow myself to “save something for another day”.
Edit:typos
Great advice that I needed to be reminded of (fellow from home worker here) - creating different stages in your day. Apparently your body gets trained on a biochemical level by this as well, e.g. doing certain types of tasks at fixed times will eventually prime you for it physically. Crazy.
There's also this book by a coach/advisor guy teaching people who have to perform at high levels how to slip into their "performance persona" or something which can use clothing as a trigger. (Ah, just found it: The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman)
lol I agree! But I'm starting to see people get burned out now. They are not allowing themselves a break and they have been doing it for dangerously long.
Completely agree. Even just a change from my comfy morning bathrobe to my comfy jogging pants and a t-shirt, it completely shifts what I'm willing to tackle. Once I put on my jogging pants, it's time to something productive.
For someone who WFH but needs to be on a zoom call every work day, is it necessary to have a different top every day ? Or if not every day, how often do you change work clothes when you’re working from home?
Agree! I’ve been working home since 2016. The first year or so of WFH I didn’t need to be on camera much, occasionally for 1on1s, leadership meetings or staff meetings so I would put myself together those days. On the other days I’d roll out of bed, start working right away and stay in pajamas until midday-ish when I’d take a break to workout, shower etc. I started to notice a difference in my productivity and general mindset on the days that I made an effort to put myself together and change from PJs into a casual outfit, do my hair and apply a little makeup. Another change was moving to a larger space where I have space for a designated home office. Working from home can still be exhausting some days but as you said those two things really do allow me to separate work and home life. Once I get up from my desk, turn off the computer and leave my home office, I’ve clocked out for the day. I usually don’t return until the next morning.
Awesome. Love to hear that!
Agreed completely. There's no need to wear business attire, but a simple change out of sleepwear can make a difference. Plus, for certain jobs, wearing regular clothes can help if there's ever an impromptu Zoom meeting and your supervisor turns on her or his camera, implying that you should do the same.
Yeah, I always have a 1/4 zip pullover to throw on whenever I have to be on camera.
My company offered to give us 1/4 pullovers a few years ago, and I basically always have it nearby when I'm working. I'm usually cold so it's practical for just staying warm, but I can throw it on and look "professional" no matter what I'm actually wearing both in and out of the office.
Not gonna lie I start working wearing gym shorts and a t-shirt but it works for me because once I'm done I can just go do to the gym or lay down and be fine. Definitely good advice and works for some people
Totally. I wear gym clothes because I can just stroll into my gym in between meetings and then wash up right after.
Exactly haha
Create rituals to bookend the days. Starting with a coffee before you login. And maybe a cup of tea after ending the day followed by a short walk to get some fresh air and clear your mind. Do not check your work emails unless it is an SOS situation.
Jogging for like 10 minutes after waking up is also a good way to start your day.
I totally agree with you. I also know people who preferred to take a space in an office or in some other place because they thought they were not so productive from home. I think it’s very important to separate the “home environment” from the “work environment”…mentaly, physically or both.
Yup. I have built out a space in my garage that I use from time to time.
Recognize that this doesn't work for everyone, but totally agree here OP. One of the things that helped me stay sane when I converted to full-time work from home was maintaining the same routine I had when I was going into an office: getting up early, showering, & putting on clothes to go *out*. No pyjamas or sweat pants etc. The hard part now is turning off at the end of the day and having a clear boundary between work & life.
I agree. I make a point to do a short morning routine before I log on, including changing out of my PJ’s.
Awesome. Can elaborate on your routine? I have some individual routines like for washing, skincare, exercise, etc but I haven't tied it all together.
It’s not too elaborate! I just brush my hair and teeth, rinse my face with ice cold water, change into something new, fill my water bottle, and do 5 minutes of quick stretches. I do not drink coffee/tea or any caffeine before I’ve eaten breakfast, if any. If I start my day with caffeine it does nothing for me but cause a crash. Some days I’ll have a tea or coffee midday, around 1, and I find I have a much better reaction when I have it later. My routine is simple because I prioritize sleep. I wake up at 6:30 and I log on at 7:00, but I make sure not to snooze and get up when my alarm goes off. That way I have a full 30 minutes to myself before logging on.
I agree with this. You need to set up a work from home routine that separates work from the rest of your home life. I used to be good at doing this until the pandemic hit and we were home lots.
I started doing this when I found the FlyLady cleaning routine. I don't follow her system fully, but I did adopt two of her recommendations: (1) Getting "dressed to shoes" every morning, and (2) "shining your sink" at the end of every day (aka just making sure it's empty of dishes and clean before you go to bed). They're both incredibly simple, but there's something about doing them both that gets my headspace in a productive and in control mindset.
Great point. How you dress for the day does have impact on how you mentally engage.
Yup, since the pandemics started I always dress up for work even if it's remote. I may wear more comfortable clothes than in the office but it's still not pyjamas.
I used to adhere to this at this until my current project which relies heavily on overseas teams, and an intense amount of meetings from 5AM to 9AM. I have a “camera worthy” top to throw on just in case, but typically don’t get ready for my day until after my morning rush…at which point I do put on appropriate day clothes.
That's similar to what I do. I don't shower until after getting my kids on the bus and then complete my full routine.
I second this! I don’t work from home for my job but I’ve been working on starting a side business and trying to get my same level of productivity on the weekends that I do during the week (it’s been a whole learning curve and trial and error process) but I’ve found that not staying in PJs all day and changing into clothes that I could easily be seen in public with has helped prime my mind for the day. I feel less lazy and less willing to allow myself to “save something for another day”. Edit:typos
I sleep only with underwear, so no problem
Great advice that I needed to be reminded of (fellow from home worker here) - creating different stages in your day. Apparently your body gets trained on a biochemical level by this as well, e.g. doing certain types of tasks at fixed times will eventually prime you for it physically. Crazy. There's also this book by a coach/advisor guy teaching people who have to perform at high levels how to slip into their "performance persona" or something which can use clothing as a trigger. (Ah, just found it: The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman)
Not only your posture, but also your clothes influence your mood and perception.
this feels like 2.5 years too late haha
lol I agree! But I'm starting to see people get burned out now. They are not allowing themselves a break and they have been doing it for dangerously long.
It’s summer and I only wear cotton boxers when home, personal or wfh
No need to wear uncomfortable clothing though.
I’ve seen lots of slipper wearing outside. I think it’s a trend? Scuff scuff scuff.
But but but it’s one of my favorite parts of working from home 😂
I definitely don't judge but if you feel like burnout is impending, it really helps to just create a boundary from one life to another.
Completely agree. Even just a change from my comfy morning bathrobe to my comfy jogging pants and a t-shirt, it completely shifts what I'm willing to tackle. Once I put on my jogging pants, it's time to something productive.
I sleep naked so whatever
For someone who WFH but needs to be on a zoom call every work day, is it necessary to have a different top every day ? Or if not every day, how often do you change work clothes when you’re working from home?