Wellbeing for the home office
My best experience hacks for working from home
It’s weird to think that we have spent almost a year at the home office. It feels like yesterday I read about this new virus in China and categorized it as “not relevant to me.” At the same time, I can barely remember what it’s like to have an office.
I am a bit of an introvert who can enjoy days or even weeks in solitude, immersing myself in some nerdy project or study. All of a sudden, I crave social lunches, chitchat, and walks.
Going through a recruitment process and onboarding to a new job without meeting anybody in person has also been surreal. We all secretly wonder, “is Mark as short as he looks?” or “does Miranda stand an inch from people’s faces as she does to her camera.”
On the bright side, I have completely cured my phobia of video chats, and I have perfected my home office experience.
#1 — Extendable desk
The MALM extendable desk from IKEA is perfect for the home office. If I need extra space, I can pull out the second table surface to get a full corner desk.
#2 — Gaming chair
The gaming chairs are by far the most comfortable chairs for your buck, but an essential feature of my choice is the foldable armrests. Fold them up, and the chair fits nicely under the table. When the meetings draw long, I can fold them down, lean back, and close my eyes for a moment.
#3 — Extra wide, curved screen
It took me a while getting used to this superwide, curved screen, but I am loving it now and would not want to go back.
Especially when working in Figma, Photoshop, or other programs with many toolbars, it’s really great to have a widescreen to view everything at once.
#4 — Magnetic board
I painted one of those hideous magnetic whiteboards the same color as my wall to make it a bit more attractive, and it serves both as my short term memory, a sentimental shrine to my son, and a play-station. (Supermagnets are so much fun!)
#5–Laptop drawer
I thought this was pretty brilliant! It is one of the boxes from a loot box I subscribe to that doubles as a laptop stand and a drawer.
#6 — Charging station
No more hunting for wires and outlets! My all in one charging station is hidden under my monitor.
#7 — Zen station
When project management gets into arguments about features, I feel annoyed that they are still trying to solve design problems in “I think, you think, he thinks” meetings instead of through insight and analysis.
My Zen station keeps me calm and distracted. Especially the marble face roller is excellent for that tension building up in my temples.
#8 — Fascia-rescue
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Massage-kit with pressure balls for my feet and “whatever-you-call-it-thingy” for the back. I will put it behind my back and lean into it, where I’ve got sore spots. The little balls are great for sore and restless feet who are no longer used to carrying me around and are in a state of shock every time I leave my cave.
#9 — Snacks
No comments! It's important to keep the blood sugar in balance, all right?!
#10 — Mood light and ocean bliss
This smart little thing has an alarm clock, radio, speaker, and mood light all in one. At night it mimics the sunset, changing colors from white to deep red, while it plays the soothing sounds of the ocean.
During the day, it is connected as a speaker to my laptop and provides me with the right color to match whatever Teams background I’ve picked for the occasion. I almost have my team convinced I am actually at a resort in Kenya instead of in my bedroom.
#11 — Keep it clean
The biggest problem with having a combined bedroom and home office is the dust! It’s unbelievable how much dust lives in a bedroom.
I don’t know where it’s coming from, but I guess its a juicy combination of dead skin cells and cotton fibers. Whatever it is, I don’t want it on my screen and keyboard. The Swiffer duster and the screen spray is easily accessible under the monitor.
#12 — My lunch room
It is more important than ever before to take breaks and get fresh air. As often as I can get away from meetings, I enjoy an extended lunch break with a walk around the neighborhood.
Looking at this view, I am reminded that despite the inconvenience, I am probably the luckiest person on the planet who is safe, healthy, employed, and living in this gorgeous place in this amazing country.
Take good care of yourself and those around you!
With love
Hege
