This topic is near and dear to my heart, because not only does it touch on the role design plays in our overall well-being, but it’s also a realm of self-growth I’ve been learning to navigate for quite some time…

My first stint “working from home” came about when I found myself living and working in the (stunning) garage apartment of the family I was working for, in a small ski town in Colorado. This experience was challenging but memorable for many reasons, but most significantly, I’ll never forget how lonely and isolated I felt the majority of the time.

Flash forward six years when embarking on the decision to start my own business, I knew financially it made the most sense to start up from home base. The thought of reliving that isolation and loneliness caused me great fear because I’m a social person by nature and I knew in the long run it wouldn’t be sustainable unless I found balance and happiness. As a result, I have dedicated a lot of time to figuring out best practices for ensuring I remain feeling connected to society, productive, accomplished, stimulated and authentically fulfilled.

I want to acknowledge first and foremost, my journey has been one of personal choice, which I know isn’t applicable to many who currently find themselves in a WFH situation… I get that. But to the extent I can help bring calm, guidance and reassurance through sharing my experience, I’m here to do just that.

Reflecting on what’s worked and what hasn’t, I’m going to break it down into three topics: the space itself, mindset & routine, and in-home wellness practices. I have lots to say on each of these, so I’ve decided to split this post into three. Today I’ll dive into the space itself… stay tuned for parts II & III to come later this week.

The Space Itself

Having a clean, tidy and organized space is absolutely essential for my ability to get anything done at home. I find it claustrophobic and distracting when I don’t feel like there’s order within my surroundings - it stifles my creativity and causes me to be incredibly unproductive.

During this time, I encourage you to experiment with any or all of the following…

• Start with a deep clean - the rewards pay off in the most beautiful ways. I’m talking interiors of cabinets, closets or storage spaces you haven’t touched in years, floors, windows, surfaces, appliances, walls, bathrooms, carpets, laundry, etc. ALL the nooks and crannies. Giving everything a good clean scrub (right in time for Spring Cleaning no less!) allows you to feel so accomplished and invites in a wonderful sense of calm. I believe this act of care makes you love and appreciate your surroundings much more.

• Rearranging your belongings - sometimes changing up the flow of furniture and/or styling your belongings in new ways invites fresh waves of energy into a space. I’m talking rearranging your bedroom or living room or restyling bookshelves or art and decor. The goal is to feel expansive during this time, not contained or confined. (I can help with this too… see my Custom Layouts offering.)

• Tackle things you’ve been putting off - I’m a routine offender of having piles of clothes stack up… by taking the time to fold them and put them away properly, I am showing respect for my space AND myself. Think piles of papers, piles of toiletries kept out on the counter, athletic gear, stuff you haven’t unpacked from your last trip, etc. Anything that can “go away”, put it away. Neatly & nicely. You’ll feel like a million bucks!

• Let’s be real, we’ve been putting off these projects for a reason… they’re not always the most fun… To embrace this time and savor your surroundings, even the smallest action each day can make a significant difference. One box or one section at a time. In just a few short days you’ll have achieved your organization goals without the pain of having to do it all in one sitting.

• Fresh greenery - easier said than done as shops are closing left and right, but if you can inject fresh flowers or greenery into your space, you won’t regret it. They add a feeling of aliveness.

• On rainy days, work with the lights on.

• Spend some time with your windows open every day - fresh air flooding your space can feel so invigorating. (If it’s cold just bundle up!!)

• Music can feel incredibly soothing. Be sure to respect your neighbors and/or roommates though - not everyone vibes to the same tunes and lots of us are homebound now, so awareness is key!

• Set up your work zone somewhere separate from your main living space(s) (and bedroom) AS POSSIBLE. I’m thinking back to my tiny studio days in New York City - this would not have been doable. But to the extent you can create an office area during the day and then shut it down and put it away at night, the less you’ll feel like work is bleeding into your home life. (Will get into more of this with parts II & III). Strive for a setup that affords good lighting & good posture, sit facing a window if you can, try to get as much natural light as possible.

• Make your bed first thing in the morning - the moment you get up, make it. A nicely made bed is such an underrated achievement you can knock out easily each day!!

• Clean up after yourself as you go through the day - avoid letting dishes stack up in the sink or the bathroom become a mess after you’ve showered because you feel less urgency with this newfound time… Doing small steps to maintain a clean/tidy space (whether you’re shacked up with someone or not) is such an easy way to minimize frustration later on.

• Create a special spot where work is completely off limits - maybe it’s a room or a wing in your house or it’s just one tiny chair… whatever this may mean for your space, allow yourself to set some boundaries. Perhaps in this space you read, or meditate or practice yoga or journal (more on all this too!) - whatever it is, suddenly it has become sacred because you defined it as such.

• If you’re cohabitating, try your best to carve out (physical) space for each other. Meaning, to the extent each of you can set up your own work zone (ie. someone’s at the dining table, the other is in the living room) the better. Close quarters can be challenging for a relationship - but if you communicate honestly up front and help each other manage expectations, it’s very doable (and can be REALLY fun!!). Define things like - where to go for a conference call, what to do if one is done working for the day but the other is not, how to divvy household chores, sensitivities to noise (ie. requests for headphones), defining needs for quiet time and space, limitations on TV, etc. Leave nothing undiscussed, it will only strengthen your bond throughout this period. (Remember, no one is wrong for having their preference - compromise is key. Read more on this topic in my earlier post!)

What’d I miss? Please comment below or send me a note, and share with whomever this may serve <3… stay tuned for parts II & III!

Hang in there friends, sending you lots of strength, courage, positivity, comfort and success during this time,

LG