Navigating My Way to a New Normal
I’ve been working from home on a regular basis for several years now. I’ve gone through long spells when I didn’t get anything done, periods when I felt isolated and alone, and ultimately, periods when I’m knocking things out like I’m on a caffeine high that keeps me moving in nearly blurring fashion. Still, I’m constantly evolving and navigating my new normal.
Even after several years, I have yet to develop a consistent pattern, but in the end, everything gets done, so maybe being consistent never was, and never will be my most efficient and effective state.
What I do know was getting up to commute to a job took me down to my last nerve. I was too often short tempered, unhappy, and worse; unproductive as a result. It took me longer to get myself motivated to get anything done, and my brain was sluggish and uncooperative. My unique and seemingly inefficient work habits now have proven effective for me. The truth is, there’s no one else they need to work for anyway. That’s the beauty of working from home, and with no boss but myself.
Learning to Manage Distractions
Many are now navigating their own challenges to working from home, though they still answer 
to someone else while doing so. Socially distancing has caused many businesses to rethink their practices and find ways to keep employees working, but from the comfort and safety of their own homes. It’s up to them to figure out how to navigate the distractions I long ago learned to shut down when I needed to get things done. Things like:
- Animals or children who need attention when they need it, and not at your convenience.
- Chores that demand to be done, though you know it truly can wait.
- Projects that have been on hold for ages, now begging to be started.
- Robo callers (I got that one figured out when I found a setting on my phone that ignores any number not found in my personal phone book)
- People who knock on your door trying to sell you something or get your vote (not a problem while everyone is staying home)
- Television
- Books
- The great outdoors (assuming you have a nice backyard like I do, or a porch you can sit on without getting close to people)
- Sleeping in
There are so many more distractions, but these are a few I’ve learned to navigate, either by posting a notice on my door, blocking calls, or setting my alarm. The cats have gotten over the novelty of my being here all the time, and have gone back to their regular sleeping patterns. One or another of them will wander out every so often to let me know it’s time to take a break, but I see that as a good thing. When I get into my “zone”, I’m known to work for hours on end without stopping. When I finally get up, I have to unkink everything in order to move normally again.
Productive Habits Evolve Slowly
My one advantage is I have neither little ones, nor in fact, anyone else sharing my space right now, requiring attention, or making messes. I know it requires a completely different set of plans in order to maintain order and keep others entertained.
In the past, there were people I had in my life who didn’t really understand my need to work in uninterrupted solitude for as long as I could manage without a break. In fact, when I first started writing regularly, I’d do it late at night after everyone was in bed. Some habits have slowly evolved as a result. I’m finally able to write any time, day or night, simply by setting the intention and putting my fingers to the keys.
I also didn’t take advantage of my porch or patio for a long time. I’d started sitting on my porch more often when I acquired my red Adirondack chairs, but high winds have forced me to keep them turned upside down to prevent their ending up in the street, or a neighbor’s yard. Thankfully, my patio furniture is heavier, and a bit more sheltered from the wind, so it tends to stay put most of the time.
I’d started getting out once a week to write with a Meetup group, but had missed a few for various reasons until they had to temporarily disband. I’ve recently found my own patio is a pretty good substitute, and I can use it any time I want instead of just on specified days and times. Granted, I’m sometimes bundled up in a sweatshirt and fuzzy socks while the weather hovers around 40 or 50 degrees (and sometimes less), but the feel of the breeze on my cheeks, and the sound of birdsong is worth braving the cold for a little while to immerse myself in a project that requires writing in longhand.
Changing Where We Work for the Better
I’ve found even the smallest change of scenery, be it moving my office from the den to the 
living room, or going out to the patio to write makes a huge difference in my attitude and outlook. Most of the time, I get lots more done as a result. Inspiration and motivation seem to like change.
Friends who’ve recently started working from home will find their own version of normal as the days pass. Perhaps some will end up doing less commuting as employers realize they save on office space, utilities, and even down time when they let their employees work from home. They also run less risk of having the latest virus or cold ravage their staff because people keep their germs at home while still being productive.
For me, even a migraine doesn’t keep me down for long. I tune out for maybe an hour, then I’m back in business. If I had to commute first, I’d probably take a sick day in a lot of cases. There have been a few times (though not many as frankly, I’m rarely ill nowadays, much less, sick enough to spend the day in bed doing nothing) when I pumped myself full of tea and orange juice, and often got more work done than I would have otherwise, simply because sitting still and typing was a good way to keep my mind off feeling crummy.
Lifestyle Changes Can Be Good for Your Health
I’ve also found my cats are truly the best co-workers I’ve ever had. There are no agendas, no game playing, and no in-fighting (other than the usual romps with each other from which I’m usually excluded). They’re great company and actually lower my stress levels rather than raising them. The few times in the last couple of years I’ve been approached by a headhunter, I’ve made it clear I’m not interested unless the gig is part-time and I can work 100% from home. So far, they’ve all gone away when I mentioned those conditions.
Sure, my lifestyle has had to undergo some changes because of the choices I’ve made. I’ve adapted. There are things I’ve had to give up. Some I miss, others, I don’t. I suppose I could make new choices and get some of them back, but at what cost? Working from home with minimal stress is my new normal, and one I don’t have any intention of changing. I wonder how many of my friends who are currently working from home will, if given the choice, stay there indefinitely?
When all else fails, and stress does creep in, I light one of my lavender candles, make a cup of tea, and go cuddle a cat or two. For me, it’s the perfect life!
About the Author
Sheri Conaway is a Holistic Ghostwriter, and an advocate for cats and mental health. Sheri 
believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. Her mission is to Make Vulnerable Beautiful and help entrepreneurs touch the souls of their readers and clients so they can increase their impact and their income. If you’d like to have her write for you, please visit her Hire Me page for more information. You can also find her on Facebook Sheri Levenstein-Conaway Author. And check out her new group, Putting Your Whole Heart Forward.
Be sure to watch this space for news of the upcoming releases of ” Rebuilding After Suicide” and “Sasha’s Journey”.
