Written by Daniella Pallotta

So far, this year has definitely been one for the history books! From Australian wildfires to pending impeachments, we thought that the worst of 2020 was over. And then the coronavirus reared its head. For the greater good, businesses have been forced to close, certain services have been suspended, and social gatherings postponed until further notice. With many people turning their homes into home offices, certain unforeseen challenges may arise. As freelancers, we’ve been practising the art of managing a work-life balance at home and thought we should share some handy tips that the Chericoll team swears by.

It’s all fun and games, until it isn’t

Working remotely sounds like an absolute dream, right? No more torturous trips through traffic, long laborious meetings, or office politics. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this dream has become a reality for many. However, professionals around the world are slowly realising that the dream can turn into a 9 – 5 nightmare. There’s the temptation of TV. The fridge keeps calling your name. Office hours go out the window, so you struggle to switch off. With all these distractions, it’s difficult to establish a basic routine – and stick to it!

In actuality, working from home seems to pose more challenges than not. Fortunately, as a team of freelancers, Chericoll has some experience in working remotely. So, here are some helpful tips to become the best temporary freelancer you can and want to be:

Don’t sleep in

It might be tempting to snooze until the last minute – especially as the winter months approach –  but it’s important to establish a wake-up time nonetheless to maintain some form of routine. Waking up at 7 am every Monday to Friday allows you to have a good breakfast, long shower, and ready for the day. If you snooze until 7:55, you will stay in your pjs, skip breakfast, and jump straight onto your computer. Not good.

Having a morning routine is most important, as it sets the tone for the rest of your day. It gives you a schedule to follow and some kind of normality in a world that is otherwise manic at the moment.

Get dressed

Even if you’re simply changing out of your comfortable pjs and into an equally comfortable pair of pants, it will make all the difference in the world. Your mind will instantly shift gears, and you’ll feel more motivated to work. Our brains associate pyjamas with relaxation and sleep, so if you opt to wear them all day, then you won’t feel like getting any work done. It may feel like a drag at first, but it becomes a nice distinction between the time of day set aside for work, and the time of day set aside for chilling. That ‘chill’ time, as a result, feels well-earned instead of ridden with guilt.

Stay hydrated, curb cravings

The kitchen becomes both your food haven and hell when working at home. The temptation to snack is sometimes far too great to control, and before you know it you’ve guzzled down half of the fridge’s contents before lunch.

If you can, try to work away from the kitchen so that you aren’t staring directly at it all day. Keep a 1- litre bottle of water by your desk and sip it throughout the morning. After lunch, refill the bottle and sip the second litre throughout the afternoon. This gives structure to not only your daily intake of water but also your mealtime schedule. Your day gets broken up into parts that begin to make more sense to your mind rather than complete and total anarchy.

Considering your workspace

If your home is big enough for you to work away from your bedroom area, then that’s a bonus! However, if you find yourself in a small space whereby you need to work in your bedroom, that can be trickier.

Should this be the case, then it helps to make your bed every morning as an unmade bed can make you feel sluggish. Open the curtains and windows to ensure that enough light and air can get in. Keep your desk uncluttered so to avoid feelings of being overwhelmed by the tasks before you. Put your clothes away and take those dirty coffee mugs to the sink. You’ll be surprised at how a well-kept workspace can affect your productivity!

Remember to logout and switch off

Not working a strict 9 – 5 job, whether temporary or not, should still fall within your own personal time limitations. Set boundaries with your co-workers or establish ‘clock out’ times for your employees whereby no one is contacting or being contacted by anyone well into the night. Using technology has become a big part of our lives, whether for business or pleasure. However, next time you see a work e-mail pop up after hours, mentally put it aside and wait until morning to respond. Scheduled time to unwind and relax is just as vital as scheduled time to work.