Today I’m making the case for jeans at home, a controversial topic, I know. But in all seriousness, today’s post is really about knowing thyself, figuring out what’s working for you, and possibly trying something new as we enter our second month of the new normal. I thought I’d share my work from home uniform and other little things I’m doing to stave off distraction and keep myself focused on what’s important.

And I don’t want this to be just another post putting pressure on you to feel productive during a global crisis. These things are genuinely helping with my mental health and making me feel like a slightly more normal person during such uncertain and scary times. I hope this can help you feel the same, or at the very least, give you something positive to read for a change.

Making the Case for Jeans at Home

Okay so I 100% get where people are coming from when they say they cannot wear jeans in the house. And if that’s true for you then please don’t force yourself to do it. I am someone who indulges in small comforts, I take stress naps, I graze on snacks all day. But being at home all the time now, without a clear distinction between work and play, is a totally different ball game. Basically, I’ve learned that the amount of time I spend in comfy clothes during the day is directly proportionate to how little I accomplish, and how bad I feel about it at the end of the day. So yes, I put on jeans almost every morning because it preserves my sanity.

Finding a WFH Uniform

Mornings are precious to me. It’s when I’m my most productive and clear headed. It’s also when I’m most likely to get distracted, put off a shower, or sit on my bed in my bathrobe scrolling through IG. So having a “uniform” has really helped me stick to a routine. My go-to is jeans, a t-shirt and usually some form of knitwear. And I’ve started to see myself as a basic tee connoisseur of sorts. T-shirts should feel special too, right? My latest find is this Organic Basics Tee that has the perfect thickness, stretchiness and cut.

Maybe your WFH uniform looks more like a simple throw-on dress or a colorful athletic co-ord set. Whatever it is, make sure you have fun with it. Being at home all the time doesn’t mean you have to feel frumpy as heck. I love the #workinappropriate challenge on IG, where people were sharing outfits they wouldn’t wear to work because they’re deemed too colorful, casual or out of the comfort zone.

A Morning Routine

These days I stick with a morning routine to feel like I’ve got somewhere to be. For about a month I was waking up later and later until it finally dawned on me that I just need to go to sleep earlier. So now my morning routine really starts the night before. I set an alarm at 7am and immediately take a shower to wake myself up, get dressed and do some minimal skincare and makeup . Then it’s a quick pour over or french press coffee, some easy breakfast and I’m ready to get started around 8am. I also do a tiny bit of tidying in the kitchen and living room so I’m not distracted by the mess later on. Writing this now, I’m not sure how that all happens in an hour but knowing it’s supposed to is what’s important, I suppose. What does your morning routine look like?

Taking Breaks

One thing I try to avoid is working while eating lunch. I would like to say it’s so I can actually enjoy my food, but in all honesty I think it’s so I can look forward to watching random shows and videos. It’s also nice to peel yourself from a screen long enough to make a little lunch with care. Just the act of changing where you sit to work and eat can make a difference in how motivated you’re feeling come 1pm. So take a break, a scheduled break and change up your setting for a moment, before deciding to start back up again.

Accepting the Ebb & Flow

I’ll admit, the first few weeks of lockdown felt more like an emotional rollercoaster and now it’s gradually become a sort of ebb and flow. One thing I found helpful is just accepting those days when I feel really low, being nicer to myself and giving myself fewer expectations to meet. Mental health is a really delicate subject so I don’t want to try to force any short-sighted advice on anyone but I am really glad to see it’s become more of a topic of discussion through all of this. Seeing people online being honest about their struggles made me feel way less alone and scared about it myself and I feel a lot more thankful for that kind of bravery and openness now. So all I can really say is remember that you’re not alone and don’t be afraid to reach out to talk when you need to.