I definitely feel like a seasoned expert when it comes to successfully working from home. And now that a lottt more people are in the same boat this year, I wanted to share tips that are holiday-specific. I’m not gonna lie: working from home during the holidays is an entirely different ball of wax. There are so many more distractions, emotions run high this time of year, we’ve in the midst of a bananas election cycle, and it’s just plain hard. But you’re not alone in this. I hope these tips will help you!
Working From Home During the Holidays? Try These Tips:
Boundaries are your friend
I am such a proponent of establishing boundaries for literally all facets of life… but especially when it comes to working from home. Make sure your boss knows when you will and will not be available… and then stick to it. Make sure your family knows when you’ll be working and when you won’t be working… and then stick to it. Notice a pattern? The key is sticking to your plan and making sure that the boundaries you’ve established are respected.
Schedule in time for yourself
On a similar note, you deserve time to yourself. We’ve talked about this quite a bit here on the blog, but alone time is SO CRUCIAL when maintaining your sanity and mental health. I think it plays a role in successfully working from home during the holidays, too. Not only does it help you to reset from a stressful day on the job, but you’re able to process the emotions of the holidays, too. I suggest going for a walk if you can. There’s something about the movement that helps me think things through — but in a way that I don’t feel like I’m spiraling.
Maximize the time when you’re most productive
I am always sooo much more productive in the mornings and then I fall apart in the afternoons and need to do more physical and less stationary work. Because of this, I make sure I get up early during the holidays so I can get stuff done. This allows me the freedom to enjoy the holidays and time with family more.
Address seasonal depression
I wrote an entire post about SAD which I encourage you to check out again — especially the part about investing in a happy light! Now that the days are shorting and the mornings are dark, it can be a slog to work from home in the winter. Trust me, it is hardddd to drag myself out of bed at 7 when I know we have at least another hour of darkness. (Yep, I live that far north now!) But taking the time to address and handle seasonal depression is key in helping you get through it.
I know it’s a short list, but I really hope these tips help you get through the holidays while also successfully working from home. If you have any additions to the list, leave a comment below to share!
