Month: October 2021

Is it just me or is anyone else guilty of a cheeky Pinterest scroll during WFHH (working-from-home hours)? My current go-to is indulging in the #officeinspo trends which seem to be overtaking my feed. From plants to prints, and savvy storage set-ups – there are so many dreamy ideas out there for a stylish and easy office makeover. And I am SO ready to jump on board the bandwagon.

For my working-from-home and remote-based friends and fellow business-people, a little office redo can be a great way to help stimulate and motivate you in the long run. Remember that by setting the scene you are also setting yourself up for success!

While working from home can for some people seem like a drag (particularly amidst the covid chaos), and for most others it takes a certain level of drive to maintain motivation and a positive, productive headspace – I must admit that there is definitely an upside. I would be kidding if I said I didn’t enjoy working from the comfort of home. You have to love a space where blocks of chocolate and cups of tea are readily available, 90’s playlists and terrible singing aren’t frowned upon, and slippers are forever encouraged… (all day every day am I right?)

But, I won’t deny that with the good things come challenges, and there are times when things do get a little tricky WFH. So let’s talk about how to flourish in your home office and triumph those cabin fever blues that often come creeping in!

1. It’s all in the routine
   Routine routine routine! Get that diary filled in at the start of the week to give yourself a clear idea of your pre-work schedule and structure/goals for each day. You will be much more inclined to get out of bed when the alarm rings if you have a few morning items to tick off the list before the workday starts. Allow time for a nourishing brekky, that cup of coffee, your morning walk or yoga flow – we all know these things can be vital for a healthy work/personal life balance. Don’t forget to keep your eye on the clock and make sure you are at your desk ready to start the working day according to your schedule.
   
2. The snooze button is not your friend!
   We’ve all had our experiences with the snooze button… But during the working week, it just isn’t the friend for you. Don’t get me wrong, there can be days when we need our rest, or when the strains to our mental and physical health require us to take a break – and it is perfectly okay to do this. When you’re running by the schedule though, it’s important you meet the expectations you have set for yourself and show up for the day! You wouldn’t bail on meeting a friend or client, would you? So don’t let yourself down either.
   
3. Signing off for the day
   Use the end of the workday to set your to-do list for tomorrow! While ideas and inspiration are still fresh in your head, it’s a perfect time to prepare for the following working day. I can assure you that tomorrow’s version of you will be stoked to get started!
   
   Remember to sign off for the day according to the clock and don’t let work overlap with your personal time. It’s important that you allow yourself some down time and this can be made easier by planning a relaxing or fun leisurely activity which will encourage you out of the office. Finish that book you’ve been reading, jump on the treadmill or get in the kitchen and prepare something yummy for tonight’s dessert!
   
4. Designate your space!
   The number 1 rule of WFH is to designate an area for your office space and keep it that way. A physical separation of work and personal space is so valuable to how you operate in both settings. There is no way you want to be slipping into your workspace (and headspace) when you should be enjoying some down time. So, whether it be an entire room or the corner of one – you owe yourself a professional space where you can kick those goals!
   
5. Give your office a refresh
   Like I said, hitting refresh on your home-office setup can be an easy way to set the mood and to provide a setting which separates itself from your personal space in the house. A lick of light paint, re-arrangement of furniture, or a motivational print on the wall might be all that is needed to aid in your work performance and give you that little kick in the right direction. (Or go right ahead and treat your office to an entire makeover!)

For anyone who knows me, you would be well aware that I am super passionate about working sustainably in my studio! I am also proudly operating in a 100% carbon neutral workspace with help from the wonderful people at Trace (do yourself a favour and check them out here!).

I am always eager to chat with the lovely people around me about reducing our environmental impact in the office. Considering that you guys (my friends and followers) have shown up today to explore this topic further, I think it’s the perfect opportunity to break down the many quick, easy (and often overlooked) ways to encourage an eco-friendly workplace! Let’s go!

Reuse reuse reuse!

This step is an easy one. Replace single-use coffee cups, plates, and cutlery with crockery or reusable items. For those of you keen to support the environmentally savvy creatives out there, why not go that step further and shop cutlery sets, coffee keep-cups, and more goods made from recyclable materials!

*Grab this eco-friendly cutlery box set when you are on the go (yes, it’s dishwasher friendly – what a dream!) Made from sustainably harvested wheat fibre and ticking all the boxes!

Don’t forget to ditch the plastic water bottle (well figuratively speaking) and sub it out for a reusable one! We are so lucky to live in a country where clean drinking water is so accessible.

Reduce waste & Recycle!

Don’t make it any harder than it needs to be. Setting up a recycling system in your office space and work kitchen can be as simple as separating your waste into recycling, compost and rubbish.  Share the load and rotate the responsibilities with your office mates!

Not sure about composting? Surprisingly this solution to food waste, increased landfill and increased greenhouse gases can be super rewarding for everyone. Planet Earth Cleaning has a few handy hints right here.

For all my caffeine-loving friends, did you know your coffee pods can be collected for recycling too? Life Hacker has a few ideas on how you can responsibly dispose of them here.

OR if you are keen to change it up it might be time to skip the pods and purchase Fairtrade?

Fair-trade organisations like the Australian label Republica prioritise the use of organic resources and favour environmentally sustainable farming methods to preserve valuable ecosystems. Say no more! On top of this, they also promote the ethical treatment of labourers who are delivering our AM coffee fix.

Rethink staff travel!

Has your office considered the environmental impact of travel and commuting? (I.e., driving, burning fuel, carbon emissions – you know the drill!)

Reduce your travel hours and replace them with a trip on the train, taking the bike to work (hello new wheels), or some good old-fashioned carpooling! (You might find you’ll save a few dollars along the way too.)

With so many post-covid changes now the new norm, WFH has also become an option for more and more workplaces. If you have a choice? Take a day or two out of your week to work from home and keep things eco-friendly!

Reduce your carbon footprint by participating in virtual meetings (or “environmentally responsible meetings”) and while you are at it – save time, reduce costs involved and increase your productivity in the office! Hell yeh to ticking off that list!