Freelance Friday: How To Work From Home Without Going Insane

23 Sep 2010
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Most of the time, I love the convenience of my work-from-home job, but occasionally (particularly in the dead of Boston winter), I think I’m going to pull a “Heeere’s Johnny!” on my roommate and our unsuspecting bulldog. I’ve been working remotely since October 2008 for an education nonprofit based in the Midwest (though I’m leaving my job this fall to return to school). It’s a full-time position and since the responsibilities are mostly editorial, that means a lot of time sitting alone in front of a glowing rectangle.

Even the most resilient telecommuter can go nuts from constant solitude and inactivity. Here are my tried-and-true tips on how to stay productive, healthy, and sane while working remotely:

1. Don’t actually work at home (at least not all the time).

This especially applies if you 1) live in a small apartment, 2) lack exposure to direct sunlight, or 3) don’t have an office … or uh, furniture, in my case. It took me a while to learn that a living room of pillows does not add up to a desk, but the same goes for those who are chilling out with laptops on their kitchen counters. If your live-work space is more of a live/work space, then balance out your time at home with some time at Starbucks, the Apple Store work stations, or even the public library. I may specialize in the “edgy” field of social media by day, but preparing my dinner by night while five feet away from the spot my ass occupied for the last five hours does not feel cutting edge in the least. Changing your location, even just a couple times a week, will keep you from getting claustrophobic and hating your apartment. (Plus, the taxpayer-subsidized reading chair I can’t afford to own does wonders for your posture.)

2. 9-to-5 isn’t for everyone.

Depending on your employer’s flexibility, you may not have to log hours in the traditional eight-a-day kind of way. That’s a benefit of working remotely, and if your schedule doesn’t fit into the typical 9-to-5 workday, you shouldn’t force it to, though completely erratic hours aren’t advisable either (some routine is a good thing). Of course, you should keep in mind certain constraints, such as the availability of friends who have less flexible schedules and designated hours for social engagements. For me, I prefer to do a little bit of work everyday (since I’m used to a college student’s schedule) so I space out my obligations through seven days instead of five and have more free time during the week. I also try to have a proper breakfast and get errands out of the way early in the day, which often means working until 10 p.m. (with a break for dinner) to make up for it. I don’t mind, though, because I prefer to be outdoors when it’s still bright and sunny, which brings me to my next point …

3. Don’t underestimate the need for sunlight.

This goes for everyone, Dilberts and Carries alike. Whether you work in an office or an apartment, you’re probably not being exposed to as much sunlight as you should be. Take it from a Southern Californian who relocated to New England: the sun has a very real impact on your mood, productivity, and health. You probably won’t develop Seasonal Affective Disorder (commonly known by the unironic acronymn “SAD”) from working inside, but you might feel less energetic, irritable, and distracted, none of which lead to good work being done.

4. Keep it clean.

I have a tendency to let my dorm rooms devolve into dens of clothing piles, scrap paper, and unpaired shoes. My boyfriend, on the other hand, believes in “organized chaos”, which is actually much more neurotic than being a clean freak because it involves cultivating the illusion that you don’t put that much thought into organization when you are, in fact, much worse than any disciple of The Container Store. Since moving into his apartment, however, I’ve developed a new appreciation for cleanliness. I’ve noticed that when my living space is cluttered, my work suffers as a result, in part because it’s impossible to find anything when I need it, but also because I don’t want to be inside with my own mess. So I’ve learned to keep things organized during non-work hours, since otherwise, I’d be writing, playing, and living in filth. And that’s neither conducive toward work nor entertaining guests.

5. Put some clothes on.

No, your coworkers can’t tell you that your outfit is cute, but changing into something semi-respectable is worth the trouble, even if your bulldog is the only one around to appreciate it. Whenever it’s 3 p.m. and I find myself still in pajamas, or worse, naked, it already feels like my day has been ruined. Why? Because it clearly never got started if I’m typing away in the nude on my living room floor. Pull yourself together by putting on an outfit that you actually had to think about. Bonus points for make-up. That way, you are far more likely to go outside (see #3) some time before dusk.

6. Have at least one meaningful conversation everyday.

I’m embarassed to admit that the majority of my conversations happen over instant messages and emails. On some days, Patrick and Hamlet (i.e. my primary human and non-human companions) are my only verbal conversation partners. Why? I simply forget that the phone is a communication option, because I’m so used to texting, IMing, or emailing my friends and coworkers. Technology does make things more convenient, but it’s impossible to have a real conversation over IM alone, even if you boast 100 WPM typing skills. Start engaging in more offline interactions. It’s mentally stimulating and totally necessary for your sanity.

7. Get a study buddy.

Patrick is mine, because his grad student schedule also allows him to work from home. If you don’t live with or know someone who has a similar schedule, don’t be shy about asking strangers. There may be local writing groups or hangouts where telecommuters work together. You can also try posting an ad on Craigslist or announce your need for a work partner on your blog or Facebook. Even if you don’t acquire a permanent study buddy, you might meet some cool people with similar interests.

In conclusion, it can be really easy to slack off on the details, like getting dressed in the morning and leaving your apartment. Just remember: your job is awesome for offering you the flexibility to be anywhere at anytime, but you are so not awesome if you use that as an excuse to be a hermit (especially a nude one).

Originally published August 19, 2009