The idea of working from home is appealing for many people. But that fantasy often comes hand in hand with dreams of a big home office, with perfect lighting and gorgeous decor.
For many people though, this simply isn’t their reality. For people who live in smaller homes, the work from home lifestyle can be more of a pain than a blessing. But Canada’s Virtual Assistant is here to help! Today, we’ll give you our expert tips on how to make the most of your remote work, no matter the size of your space.
Create a Designated Workspace
Working from home can be a challenge for people living in a smaller space, as you don’t have the same separation between your living space and your working space as people who go to an office every day. It’s important for our mental health as well as our productivity levels to be able to mentally signal to ourselves that we’re now at work.
So, if you live in a smaller home, try creating a designated workspace. Whether it be a corner of a room or a specific table, promise yourself you will only work there, and hold yourself accountable. This simple trick helps mimic the effect of having an office, and can do wonders for your wellbeing.
Set Boundaries Around Time
Just as it can be difficult to set boundaries around where you’ll work, it can also be challenging to set boundaries around the amount of time you’ll work. It’s all too easy to start answering emails during dinner or finishing up that report as you watch T.V., but this can lead to burnout. For people with smaller homes, this is especially true. Working at all hours of the day in the same space can be harmful to our health.
If that’s you, try setting boundaries around how you’ll spend your time. Even if you don’t follow a typical 9-5 schedule, try setting yourself a schedule and sticking to it. Just because you work from home doesn’t mean you should be working every time you’re at home.
Set Boundaries With Other People In Your Home
If you live with roommates, or perhaps your spouse or kids, it’s important to set boundaries with them regarding your needs. Maybe your roommate plays loud music during your work hours, or maybe your partner keeps trying to start up a conversation. Whatever the case, it can be difficult to navigate working from home when you share a small space.
If you find yourself in this situation, ask yourself what boundaries you need to set in order to work best. Are there certain hours where you need to be left alone? Decide what would be most helpful to you, and then have a chat with the rest of your household about your needs.
Design Your Space Effectively
In smaller spaces, it can be hard to have enough room for all our things. Between our computer, our files, and everything else, our space often ends up cluttered and we end up overwhelmed.
If you work from a smaller home, it’s important to design your space effectively. Invest in storage systems and shelving to help you keep things organized and out of the way. The difference a clean space can make is immeasurable.
Don’t Be Afraid to Get Out of the House
If you struggle to work from home, try working from somewhere else! Find a nearby coffee shop, or look for coworking spaces in your town or city that you can work from. This can help maintain a healthy work/life balance, and help you cope with the social isolation of remote work.
Even if you prefer to work from home, it’s still important to get out of the house throughout the day. Try taking a walk during your lunch break or stepping outside to stretch every few hours. Changing your scenery can be one of the easiest and most effective ways of keeping yourself focused and productive all day long.
We understand the challenges that come with working from a smaller home. But with these tips in mind, you can make working from home a blessing.