Stress with Working From Home? Spice up 7 ways #wfh mood!

I suddenly remember an old viral post saying: Dear Lord, if you can't make thin, please make my friends fatter. - Looks like those prayers came true. I became fatter.

COVID-19 pandemic has changed almost everything in our life. Eating habits. Social habits. Work habits. The new normmmm!!

So the working from home situation with the (in)famous hashtag #wfh is dragging on again. I am one of many who abide by the social-distancing mantra, not stepping out even in front of my doorstep. But just wait until I receive a whatsapp text from J&T "Hi, we would like to inform you that your parcel has safely delivered to your Guard House control room" (or something similar to that). I'd go running to pick them up.

To some, working from home might be a good news. But to many others (statistically speaking, households with more than 4 person is about 70% in Malaysia) I so dedicate this post to those living especially with young kids. As a working mother myself, with a 5yo kindie, it's crucial to avoid myself from being a witch mother who seems to be possessed by ancient spirit, and so I decided to do these things below and I want to share with you.

1. Refresh Your Environment

Easiest way to do this:

• Make time to re-arrange your furniture
• Go to Shopee or Facebook marketplace to find new cheap-cheap wall frame or wall accessories
• Get some greens at your nearest nursery. Succulents are the best option because it needs less watering
• Add new colors to your home: curtains, sofa covers, chair covers

2. Switch up your morning routine

Nowadays, I woke up at 4, sometimes at 5 in the morning. You read that right. I used to stay up very late at night, just to find a me-time for work, but it didn't work. By midnight, my body gets too tired and my brain seems like it's short of cells or something. Things I could do for 2 hours being dragged to 4-5 hours.

So when I tried switching, I've become more proactive. I have 4-hour windows before my kindie gets up and have a happier time for the rest of the days, since the most important works had been done.

3. Level up your work-at-home attire

Now don't be a lazy ass. Just because you're staying and working from home, that doesn't mean you don't have to lose that pajamas. Dress up and wear your makeup as usual. I find this habitually spiritual. It makes you feel ready for work. It makes you want to work.

4. Make your kids understand that day time is for school & work

I have tried something new. Now, I only do this with my 5yo daughter so I'm not sure how it will work with older or younger children, but you can try this method too.

So at home, when I dress up in work attire, my daughter will automatically has her mind set, "mommy's working'. This is because those days when I go for work, in work attire, I would tell her "Mommy's going for work".

Magically, my daughter didn't disturb me. Note that my little home-office is in our living hall (so that I can work and still monitor her, this is multi-tasking people!!). She only came when she has important agenda:- doing no1 & no2, hungry, or when she has questions about how to do this and that.

5. Play instrumental music

My favorite is modern Jazz. You can find a lot of instrumental / ambience music in youtube such as 

Relaxing Jazz Music - Background Chill Out Music - Music For Relax,Study,Work

and 

Beautiful Relaxing Music • Peaceful Piano Music & Guitar Music | Sunny Mornings by @Peder B. Helland

Music with lyrics sometimes can distract you from work. In my case, I just need some beautiful, soothing melody to fill up my entire work space. It's calming and definitely brings up the mood. 

6. Listen to motivational videos

Since everyone has their own goals, so everyone needs motivation. Self motivation to be precise. If you have your own ways to motivate yourself, that's great! I for once need something strong to boost my energy. To remind me of my goals. So I often listen to these:

If you're gonna give up... listen to this song first (Golden Mind)

and

IT'S TIME TO CHANGE - 2021 New Year Motivational Video

Whining & sighing would only give you temporary relief. We need to get rid of negative vibes around us and if you're not letting it go, it stays. It's rotting inside. 

Try listening to these kind of motivational video early in the morning and / or whenever you're feeling down. Put on your earphones with volume up. You will be surprised with the high energy spirit these videos can bring.

7. Strictly schedule time for work & house chores

Ladies... Mothers... I hear you!!

How about breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? Cleaning up the never-ending mess? Dishes?

I always thought of these too. Believe me, I know, this is most crucial part we're struggling everyday.

Here are some tips how to kill two birds with one stone:-

• When prepping for breakfast, don't forget to prep for lunch as well. You will have less to prepare for lunch during business peak hours
• You don't have to make extravaganza meals for lunch. Just treat it as how it used to be like when you were working back in those days
• If you need to sweep the floor, dampened (not wet) the brush and sweep as usual. You'd be sweeping and (light) mopping at the same time, enough to keep the floor clean
• Save the laundry work, house cleaning, mopping and many other house chores for the weekend, or at least after business hours if you must. You OCD won't kill you

First and foremost, you have to take charge of your schedule and be strict about it. Share it with your family members so they will understand and can cooperate. Discipline yourself with your own schedule and make it a habit. If you managed to follow your new #wfh schedule for 21 days without fail, voilaaa, you made it a new habit! And things will get much easier after that.

Good luck! And all the best with our new norms! 💓

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