I’ve seen so many discussions about how hard it is to carve out time for rest as a remote worker. It can be more difficult to allow yourself to take a work break since work is always there, in your face. I literally have to store my laptop on a shelf in my closet when I’m not working!
I published an article with some tips for established restful practices and boundaries between work and everything else. Here’s the link: https://www.doublefourteen.com/post/7-ways-to-rest-for-remote-workers.
Curious to know what you guys think and to get more tips!
I love what you wrote about putting your hardware away when you’re done with it. Out of sight, out of mind. I read recently about having a “work basket” where your notebooks, work phone, laptop … it all goes there. Brilliant. Not everyone has a space you can enter and leave, so this advice is particularly important. Rituals are also important to create boundaries. For example, I have taken to starting every work week with a walk. I also end each work week with a walk. It’s a nice, solid reminder that reminds me there’s a rhythm to the work week.
Scott Dawson
Remote Work Experience
I have worked remotely for Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies for 22 years :) I wrote and published The Art of Working Remotely (https://artofworkingremotely.com) in July 2019, and moderate the weekly #RemoteChat on Twitter.
The “work basket” is a great idea! Might try that one :)
Alda Lima
Remote Work Experience
I have been a remote worker (freelance) for 13 years (full-time for 8).
Love the idea of a work basket, especially for the reason you mention - not everyone has a dedicated workspace.
I also used to start each workday with a walk! You’ve inspired me to try to restart that tradition. Movement is so important if most of your work happens at a desk.
Lindsay King
Remote Work Experience
I have worked remotely since 2012, first as a Ph.D. student and program manager at a policy institute, then as a freelancer, and now as a development coordinator of a nonprofit publisher. I have also taught university-level courses online and served on online course development teams. Finally, I have experience working from home with a child, as well as breastfeeding while working from home.
This is a wonderful article thank you for sharing. One thing I can say after having done this for almost 7 years, it get’s addictive. You become so comfortable in your 4 walls that you sometimes realise its been 3 days since you have seen the outdoors. It can be unhealthy if you are not aware of the time spent inside. My few cents worth lol
Kirsten Boic
Remote Work Experience
My name is Kirsten, I am a native English lady from South Africa. I am married, have 2 beautiful children, a cat and 2 bunny rabbits to complete our imperfectly perfect home. I am a nature-loving girl, who has a passion for learning and life. I believe that the most brilliant minds have stayed brilliant because of constant learning. We are never too old to learn, even the teacher needs to learn! Some subjects I enjoy learning about as well as practising is Astrology, Neuroscience,...
So true!!
Lindsay King
Remote Work Experience
I have worked remotely since 2012, first as a Ph.D. student and program manager at a policy institute, then as a freelancer, and now as a development coordinator of a nonprofit publisher. I have also taught university-level courses online and served on online course development teams. Finally, I have experience working from home with a child, as well as breastfeeding while working from home.
Hey Lindsay
Found it quite amusing to see the picture of your laptop tucked away in the closet! But, that’s a smart technique to switch off after work (I should try it as well :P). Also, thoroughly enjoyed reading your honest tips.
Ashley Thomas
Remote Work Experience
Been a remote worker all throughout my career. Of course have worked in an office setting as well, but only a few days or weeks at stretch primarily when working out of a client's office.
I want to hear how it works for you if you try that trick!!
Lindsay King
Remote Work Experience
I have worked remotely since 2012, first as a Ph.D. student and program manager at a policy institute, then as a freelancer, and now as a development coordinator of a nonprofit publisher. I have also taught university-level courses online and served on online course development teams. Finally, I have experience working from home with a child, as well as breastfeeding while working from home.
Amazing set of points Lindsay! The best thing is that these are so simple and practical to implement and yet so effective.
Adding in a few more that both @karthik and I were discussing just a few days for ourselves.
A strict no Slack, no Laptop policy on Sundays. As founders, we tend to chat about new initiatives, plan for the week, that one new hire or a promising client. While we give ourselves the freedom to do this on a Saturday, Sunday is out of question.
We tend to continue in the same frame of mind even after the day is done. And often, I have found myself losing sleep over it as well :( So I try to get a quick shower after the day’s work or at least before going to sleep. This actually aligns with your point on ‘wind-down rituals’.
Blocking time in my calendar for lunch. Gives me that mid-day break and also helps have meals on time :) (Honest confession - I haven’t been able to do this religiously.)
Hrishikesh Pardeshi
Remote Work Experience
I have worked remotely on and off. For some time, back in 2014, I was freelancing and taking up remote projects. During the first half of 2019, I was working as a remote co-founder.
These are all great points, and I really appreciate your honesty too. It occurs to me that another thing I do is try to have actively planned off time. Instead of planning to just “not work,” I try to have activities to do that make me feel good, like going for a hike, baking, and doing things like going to museums or to see things in my city (pre-Covid…).
Lindsay King
Remote Work Experience
I have worked remotely since 2012, first as a Ph.D. student and program manager at a policy institute, then as a freelancer, and now as a development coordinator of a nonprofit publisher. I have also taught university-level courses online and served on online course development teams. Finally, I have experience working from home with a child, as well as breastfeeding while working from home.
Oh yes. That’s something I try to do myself. In the current situation, I try to take time out to do a Calligraphy sheet or have a long music (listening) session on my headphones :-)
Hrishikesh Pardeshi
Remote Work Experience
I have worked remotely on and off. For some time, back in 2014, I was freelancing and taking up remote projects. During the first half of 2019, I was working as a remote co-founder.