Maintain Your Rituals
What are the essential rituals that you can incorporate into your daily or weekly routine to help you feel balanced? For me, it’s important to take a break mid-morning. I start my day by clearing my inbox and outlining my plan of action. By around 10 to 10:30, I take a pause to make a cup of tea and prepare for my most productive working periods. These times are typically in the mid-morning before lunch and in the hours after lunch, right before I pick up the kids from daycare. This mid-morning break is a simple ritual that I find easy to uphold.
Focus on the Small Things
Finding motivation can be tricky, and we all have our own strategies for tapping into it. There are the usual suggestions—taking breaks, going for walks, or starting a new task if the current one feels stale. I can relate to feeling a bit restless when working from home, especially since I usually set up my desk in my son’s bedroom. Sometimes, after being at my desk all day, I feel confined. When that happens, I’ll grab my laptop and move to the dining table for a change of scenery. These small shifts can significantly enhance your day and help cope with current challenges.
Set Realistic Goals
This was something I had to work on. I’ve always loved making to-do lists, but last year, I was too hard on myself when I couldn’t complete everything. Now, instead of crafting exhaustive lists, I focus on realistic tasks that consider the constraints we face. It’s perfectly fine to acknowledge that you may not be operating at full capacity. This realistic approach keeps me productive throughout the day and gives me a sense of accomplishment by 5 PM when I finish work to pick up the kids.
Prioritize Your Happy Time
Make sure to carve out time for yourself, whether that’s for hobbies, spending time with your partner, or simply doing something that brings you joy. My husband and I cherish our time together after the kids go to bed. Our evening routine—getting the boys fed, bathed, and ready for bed—can be hectic, so we relish the chance to unwind together afterward. When I take time for myself, I enjoy a good book or take a walk while listening to a podcast.
My Current Work-from-Home Routine
- 7:00 AM: Wake up, scroll through my phone (and sift through the latest news—let’s be honest, it’s pretty gloomy right now!).
- 7:30 – 8:30 AM: Get the kids up, dressed, and fed, then take them to daycare (thank goodness for daycare!).
- 8:30 – 9:00 AM: Have breakfast and get ready for the day.
- 9:00 – 10:00 AM: Morning work session (checking emails, creating my to-do list, and planning for the day).
- 10:00 AM: Quick morning tea break with my husband.
- 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Focused mid-morning work session (tackling high-priority tasks that require more concentration).
- 1:00 – 2:00 PM: Lunch break.
- 2:00 – 5:00 PM: Afternoon work session (another productive block for completing tasks).
- 5:00 – 7:30 PM: Pause work to pick up the kids, prepare and eat dinner, handle bath time, read stories, FaceTime with their brothers, and get them to bed—then take a moment to breathe.
- 7:30 – 9:00 PM: Log back on to finish any outstanding tasks.
- 9:00 PM onwards: Wind down with my husband, watch TV, catch up on other tasks, and prepare for bed.
As always, thank you for reading, and I hope you’re all staying positive and healthy!
