Home is a unique and fluid space, shaping itself around the people who come and go, as well as the objects and memories we choose to fill it with. It is the place we go to be completely ourselves, relax, unload and be with loved ones after the day is done.
Transitioning from the office and being away from your work crew can be strange, but there are many wonders of working at your place of residence. Fun fact: AW used to be run out of Creative Director Claudio Kirac’s spare bedroom… and now, along with our peers, strangers and friends across the world, we’ve been working from home again to do our part in lowering the curve.
1. Remember that this is not the end of the world.
2. Have a morning ritual. Grab a takeaway coffee if you can do so safely and responsibly. Take a walk in a remote location and enjoy some nature. If you can’t get outside, get outside from inside here. Or make a coffee at home and drink it in your backyard/balcony while preparing your day's to-do list.
3. Have a clearly defined workspace. Avoid your bed or the couch. Set up a desk or table to create a work environment that supports your working style. While not everyone has the luxury of space or resources to do this, try clearing wherever you're going to work of distractions and unnecessary items so you can focus. Clear and tidy space = clear and tidy mind.
4. Put social media and the news to the side and concentrate on the real jobs at hand.
5. Get up, get showered and get dressed. Give yourself the best chance of getting into a productive mindset.
6. Schedule breaks. It's easy to get lost in a time vortex, especially if you are working alone as well as at home. Clear your mind, refocus and stretch.
7. Cuddle your cat/dog/fish. Stop talking to the walls... if you can have the company engage them in conversation when you need opinions or ideas! Take many photos of them sleeping and share with your friends.
8. Do not bake 30 biscuits and eat them in 2 days. If you do, use this recipe.
9. Feel lucky that you can continue to work and do so safely.
10. Use a team-share organisational application like Trello or Asana, where you can always clearly see who is working on what and when. These platforms are perfect for communicating as well as sharing updates, information or discussions. Don’t feel left out if you’re a freelancer, these kinds of apps are great for independent workers and can even be shared with clients. Slack is also a winner.
11. Write a hitlist for the next day. Stop working when you normally would if you were at work. Resist the temptation to keep going into the night. A good night’s sleep is essential.
12. Get off your seat at least once every hour, a flat ass is not in vogue right now.
13. Drink Husk Sloe Gin or Bloody Shiraz Gin on Fridays. It’s amazing, we promise.
14. Get some exercise. We recommend Nike Training.
15. Reflect at the end of each day on what you achieved and make a list of goals still outstanding. This will help you switch off, so your mind can rest as everything you feel prepared for the new day.
16. Enjoy the opportunity! It won't last forever. Make the most of not having to commute and connecting with your home environment more deeply. If you’re looking for things to do when you’d normally be driving try a face mask, dancing to some disco music, journaling, watering your plants or calling your mum.
17. Ring some people. Make a group chat and go to town keeping up to date with your nearest and dearest. Message someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time.
Now, go and get things did.
Animations by AW Visual Designer, Emma van Zaane.