How To Create An Office Space In Your Apartment
April 20, 2020
How To Create An Office Space In Your Apartment
If you are used to going to an office every day, working from home can be a tough adjustment and can feel overwhelming. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be! There are steps that you can take to decrease that hectic feeling. Give yourself the space to help you be productive and achieve your goals!
The perfect area is key
Finding the perfect area to work is the first step in ensuring that you adjust to working from your home. Try to find an area that does not have a lot of distractions and is quiet so you are able to focus on your tasks. The temptation to watch TV or scroll on your phone may be bigger now more than ever. This is why getting away from those things the best you can will help you in the long run. Now, of course, if you have children this can be a little more challenging, but finding an area where there are enough activities for your kids to help keep them occupied while you get some work done is important.
Give yourself enough space
You need to establish a work station that has enough room for everything that you will need. Whether it is a desk or your dining room table, be sure to have everything within reach in case you need to access it quickly but make sure it is not too crowded where you are unable to work comfortably. You will be sitting in this area for 40+ hours a week so your comfort is important.
Stick to your routine as best you can
Humans are creatures of habit and routine. While some people handle being thrown off their routine well, others do not. Even though you are not in the office, it does not mean that you cannot stick to your schedule that you followed previously. Wake up, eat lunch, take your break at the same time so that you are able to feel some type of normalcy and control. Anything you would do on a normal work day in the office, try to find a way to do it at home. This may help ease any anxiety you are feeling and will make the transition back into the office an easier one.
Communicate with your co-workers
If you are accustomed to seeing your co-workers each day, it is easy to miss their presence. Try to chat with those whom you are closest to each day. Ask how things are going, about their weekend plans, or about their families. Not only does it bring back that feeling of normalcy, but it’s always nice to chat with a friend. You know what they say, “Distance makes the heart grow fonder.” Whenever there is a need at work that requires the assistance of a coworker, it was always easiest to walk over to their desk and resolve. You may find yourself waiting for a response but remember to try and be patient. Everyone is trying to adjust and figure out their own routines and schedules as well.
Find your balance
When you work from home, your home becomes your workplace. It can be difficult to find that work/life balance. Take some time to reflect on your schedule and set what times are dedicated to work and which times are solely for you and your family. That line may be a little blurred at the moment, but it's healthy that you keep that balance and prioritize it.
One of the most important things to remember is that we are all in this together. Everyone is dealing with the sudden changes that each day brings but we must do our best to adapt and make it easier on ourselves. Following these steps and finding that place for you to dedicate to yourself and your work is important in ensuring your success!
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching! With current events, finding a place to go for your Valentine’s Day date night might seem challenging but it doesn’t have to be. Date nights from home can be just as romantic and special as they would be if you were to go out to a fancy restaurant. Check out these 6 ideas for you and your significant other! Cook your favorite meal If you can’t go to a restaurant, bring one to your home! Look up a meal that you both decide on or one that you have never attempted to cook before and give it a try...together! Cooking is a great way to bond. Put your devices away and enjoy the moment you have together. Your meal can be something that you are both proud of. You can get dressed up and set your table as if you are in a restaurant or make it fun and have a picnic in the living room! Movie Night Movie night is a classic type of date night that never gets old! Each of you can choose your favorite movie, one that you are not the biggest fan of, and one that you have never seen before. This is a fun way to learn more about your partner’s cinematic interests while celebrating Valentine’s Day from home. Don’t forget the candy and popcorn! Painting With a Twist Time to let your artistic talents shine! Grab a canvas for each of you and some paints and have a paint night. You can paint anything from a portrait of each other to your partner’s favorite meme! This is sure to keep you entertained and laughing. Plus, you never know...your significant other could be an undiscovered Picasso! Game Night You can never go wrong with game night! From board games to video games, there’s nothing like a healthy competition on Valentine’s Day. Play anything from the classics such as Uno and Monopoly to throwbacks such as Life, Sorry, and Candyland! Chocolate tasting Is there anything that says Valentine’s Day more than chocolate? Try having your own chocolate tasting! Buy a variety of chocolates from the store and see if you can discover a new favorite. You can even make a game of it by blindfolding yourself and seeing if you can guess which brand of chocolate is which! Camping out Time to go camping...in the living room! For some, this was one of the best parts of sleepovers growing up but who says it’s only for kids? Make a blanket fort, grab snacks, tell spooky stories, and camp out in your living room. This is a fun and comfy way to spend time together! As you can see, there are many different ways that you can make Valentine’s Day fun right from the comfort of your own home this year. The most important thing is spending time and enjoying the moment with your loved one!
The holiday season is always a special time of year. The world seems a little bit happier and brighter. Although 2020 has been quite an eventful and challenging year, taking a second to remember what you are thankful for can really help boost your mood and change your perspective! Here are some ways that you can show your gratitude this season. Write a card Writing a card is a classic way to show someone how thankful you are for them. There’s really nothing like receiving a handwritten letter/card filled with words that you know came from the heart. This a special and personal way to show someone that extra appreciation! Donate Toys/Clothing/Food Donations are awesome any time of year. They are a fantastic way to give back and show your appreciation for the things that you have that others may not. With current events, many people are struggling. If you are in a position to donate food, clothes, toys-- it is a great way to show your gratitude and someone out there will truly appreciate it! Call someone We all tend to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life which makes it difficult to keep up with friends and family that you do not see every day. Take some time this holiday season to call someone who you haven’t chatted with in a while. Reconnect and enjoy the special bond that you have with them! Before hanging up, maybe just remind them how much they mean to you and how thankful you are for them. It is sure to bring a smile to their face! Compliment someone When you are out running errands, at work, school, etc, give someone a compliment! Whether it be about their hair, outfit, personality--one compliment can really turn a person’s day around. We do not know what anyone else is going through. You could really make someone feel good about themselves by saying one nice thing. Spreading kindness and positivity is a great way to get in the spirit of the holiday season! Live in the moment When you are with someone who you love and care about, put your phone away and live in the moment. Give them your full attention when they are telling a story, ask questions to show your interest, smile at them as they talk, etc. Sometimes we are so busy with what is going on in the virtual world that we don’t give our undivided attention to those right in front of us. This is a simple way to show your gratitude for them! Pay it forward Paying it forward is a great way to spread the holiday cheer! If you are able to, pay for the person behind you in the drive thru, another person's parking meter, gas, etc. Whether you know them or not, it is an unexpected surprise for them and is sure to make them feel thankful and hopefully they will pay forward to someone else! There are so many fun and simple ways that you can show someone your gratitude and appreciation this holiday season. Bask in the spirit of the season and share the magic!
Spooky Season is finally here! Embrace your creative side and transform your home with the 6 tips to "Spook Up" your apartment just in time for Halloween! Lights Lights can make any ordinary day feel a little bit more festive and they are the perfect way to decorate for any holiday! White, orange, or purple lights can really spice up your home just in time for Halloween! Paper ghost/bats/pumpkins One of the best types of decorations are homemade ones! Grab some construction paper and make your own pumpkins, ghosts, bats, etc to hang around your apartment! You can use fun items like googly eyes, pipe cleaners, jewels, and more to add something extra to it. This is a fun and inexpensive way to decorate and unwind from a long day! Pumpkins Pumpkins are a staple this time of year! One of the best things about them is that you do not have to go to a pumpkin patch to buy them. Head to your local Walmart or grocery store and bring them home to paint them or carve them! Let your creativity flow! Wall scenes If you are into the spooky decorations, Party City sells scene setters which you can hang on your wall to transform your home into the scene from a classic scary movie film! From Michael Myers to The Shining, you will take a spooky step into Hollywood! Scarecrow If you are looking to go with more of a fall theme rather than Halloween, scarecrows are always the perfect addition to your home! They are simple yet adorable and can be left up until Thanksgiving! 2 holidays with 1 decoration--who can beat that? Window Clings You can never go wrong with Window Clings! They really bring life to the room and are easy to put on and pull off of your windows so there is no mess to clean up after the holidays--total win! From lights to pumpkins, there are so many other awesome ways to decorate your apartment this holiday season! Along with these ideas, Pinterest is always a great source to help get those creative juices flowing! Have fun with it and stay spooky!
