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in Lifestyle · March 23, 2018

Tips for Working from Home

Working from home can be a blessing, for sure. You don’t have to deal with a commute, you can work in your PJs until you have a Skype meeting, and your pets make great coworkers. But it can also be difficult because it’s so easy to get distracted when you don’t have to worry about your boss walking into your office. I’ve been working from home off and on for a while now due to blogging, but now I’m also doing editing work from home, too, so I thought this was a good time to offer my favorite tips for working from home productively.

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Sharing the things I do and have to make working from home as productive an experience as possible.

Tips for Working from Home

Find what works best for you – First and foremost, all of these tips don’t work for everyone. Everyone has different things that make them more or less productive, so you really need to figure out what it is that works for you. This might mean that you try a variety of strategies before you settle into a routine, so if something doesn’t work, be sure to try other tools or strategies!

Make your own workspace – I think that if you work from your couch, you’ll be more likely to turn the TV on or take a nap. To avoid that, if you don’t have a spare room for an office, pick a spot in your house that will be your office. Maybe that’s your dining room table. Maybe you have room for a desk in your bedroom or your living room. Whatever the place, pick one that is where you’ll work from. This doesn’t have to be your office forever and ever, but if you have a designated work space, it’ll be easier to get into the work mode. And you don’t have to deck it out to be like an office. Just get the things that you need in order to work!

Block off time to work – If you aren’t working full-time or don’t work a 9-5 schedule, schedule yourself some work time. For example, my editing job is part-time and basically as long as I put in the hours, I can work whenever I want. I’m always better and most productive in the morning, so I schedule myself work time in the morning. I also try to schedule appointments so I have several hours free in the morning to work. If that’s unavoidable, I block off time in the afternoon.

Keep track of your hours – This is also for people who don’t work full-time or with a regular schedule. It’s super important that you keep track of when you work and what you do so no one can argue that you aren’t working as well or as much as you should. In my case, I have a notebook where I keep track of how much I work every day. Right now, I’m just editing one book, so it’s easy to keep track of because I can note how many pages that I got through. But if you do a variety of tasks, note each one of them.

What I do to ensure that my time working at home is productive.

Get headphones – If you’re like me, you need to block out distractions. Whether or not you play music depends on what helps or hurts your productivity, but I’m a big advocate of playlists that last for 6-9 hours. (You can follow my working playlist here!) If you’re going to be wearing headphones every day or most days, definitely invest in a pair of really good ones. “But do I need headphones if I’m working at home and there’s no one there with me?” No, not necessarily, but I’ve found that I’m more productive when I do. It’s a psychological thing. Putting headphones on = getting in the zone. Looking for good headphones? Check out these: Mpow Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones, Cowin Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones, Sony Stereo Headphones, SoundPEATS Bluetooth Wireless Neckband Headphones.

Put on real clothes – Of course one of the benefits of working from home is that you don’t have to wear real clothes unless you have a Skype meeting. But it might really help your productivity if you do. I always try to wear real clothes unless I feel poorly because I’m much more likely to work well if I’ve gotten my brain in the working zone, and unfortunately that includes wearing real clothes. I don’t necessarily mean putting on business casual, but just wearing jeans and a casual shirt instead of leggings and a tee can make a huge difference.

Pack your lunch/snacks – Think about it this way: If you get your lunch all ready before you sit down to work, you have more time in your lunch break to do other things! You can catch up on social media, read a book, watch an episode of a show, meeting a friend, etc. But really, this is another thing that helps you get into the workday zone and it’s a way to ensure that you eat healthily instead of snacking on junk because you can.

Tips to help you work from home productively Click To Tweet

Plan excursions – By this I mean plan on changing up your working location every now and then. If you work from home and then hang out at home after your work day is done, it’s very easy to get cabin fever. I try to work elsewhere at least one day a week just to get a change of pace. Some options are local coffee shops or at a coworking space, which you can rent out.

Turn off your Internet – If you don’t need your Internet for your work and you’re easily distracted by it, turn it off. If you have Spotify premium, you can download a playlist so you can listen without using your Internet. This is something that I do when I’m writing and now when I’m editing, and it’s super helpful.

What are your tips for working from home productively?

Like this post? Check out:

What To Do If You’ve Wrecked Your New Year’s Resolution, How You Can Keep Growing as a Person, Working for Your Dreams if You Have Health Issues

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I’m Kate, a millennial living in New England. I’m a writer and an advocate for people with chronic illnesses. Join me on my journey to greatness!

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✨ AN INTRO TO MY DIAGNOSES ✨ ⁣ ⁣ Hi, frien ✨ AN INTRO TO MY DIAGNOSES ✨ ⁣
⁣
Hi, friends! I haven't introduced myself in a while, so I thought I would share who I am, what my #chronicillness diagnoses are, and why I talk about my health online. ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a millennial in New England, either Boston or Maine. I work for an education non-profit, I have a blog for chronic illness patients and their loved ones, I read a lot of books, and I love my pets. ⁣
⁣
I have: ⁣
rheumatoid arthritis ⁣
fibromyalgia ⁣
endometriosis ⁣
POTS ⁣
chronic anemia ⁣
asthma ⁣
⁣
I talk about my health online to help other patients and their loved ones. Living with chronic illness is 𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘺. There's the physical isolation, which has especially shown up since the pandemic started, and there's the loneliness of feeling like no one gets what your reality is like. ⁣
⁣
I felt so lonely when I was diagnosed with RA, which only increased when I couldn't go places or do things with my friends. The first couple of years after my diagnosis were so hard because most people I knew didn't get it. ⁣
⁣
The only people who did get it were others with chronic illness.⁣
⁣
If no one else gets it in your life, know that my blog and I are here for you. You can find it at the link in my bio or go to katethealmostgreat.com. ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
[Image: Kate sits on a gray chair with an open laptop on her lap. She's wearing a cream cable knit sweater, jeans, and round tortoiseshell glasses. Behind her is an open secretary, on which there is a lamp, and round mirrors hanging on the wall.]
We take spring real seriously around here 😂 ⁣ We take spring real seriously around here 😂 ⁣
⁣
Hey, we've got to enjoy it when we get it because in New England we can get Nor'Easters in April ... like we did last week. ⁣
⁣
📸 @happydogsboston ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a chronic illness patient, advocate, and blogger. Check out my blog at the link in my bio or ➡  katethealmostgreat.com⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
[Image: Harley the golden retriever sits on grass on a little park in Boston. Behind him is a flowering tree and the grass is covered in petals. Behind that are brownstone buildings.]
There's a new blog post up today all about MEDIA K There's a new blog post up today all about MEDIA KITS! They are essential if you are a blogger or influencer who wants to make money from your work. Click the link in my bio to read or ➡ katethealmostgreat.com. ⁣
⁣
PS - My ebook for chronic health bloggers includes a Canva media kit template! That's just 1 of 11 resources in it, and the ebook is just $10. You can also find that at the link in my bio. ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a chronic health blogger who blogs to help chronic illness patients and their loved ones. Follow me for more tips on living an awesome life with chronic illness! ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
[Image: Kate sits at a desk working on a silver laptop. She's a brunette white woman and is wearing a pink tank dress and large brown glasses. In front of the camera, next to the laptop, is a blue-and-white coffee mug.]
💉 day! Grateful grateful grateful ◼️ [Im 💉 day! Grateful grateful grateful

◼️ 

[Image: Kate takes a selfie. She is a brunette white woman wearing a peach top, a mask, and round tortoiseshell glasses. She is sitting in a convention center holding a card that says “Thanks! For getting vaccinated.]
✨ VISIBLE SIGNS OF MY "INVISIBLE" DISABILITY ✨ ✨ VISIBLE SIGNS OF MY "INVISIBLE" DISABILITY ✨ ⁣
⁣
1️⃣ TENS unit clipped on my jeans to help my foot and ankle pain ⁣
2️⃣ Wearing sneakers because a) they're the only shoes I can really tolerate b) I have an indoors and an outdoors pair c) I have to wear sneakers/can't go barefoot for long because of my foot and ankle pain ⁣
3️⃣ Leaning on my closet door slightly because it's the only way I can really stay still for pictures ⁣
4️⃣ Wearing glasses because I can't wear contacts due to dry eyes, which is a side effect of many of my medications ⁣
5️⃣ Popsocket on my phone because I really can't keep a grasp on it due to my super arthritic hands ⁣
⁣
These are just some visible signs! Just because you don't see these things doesn't mean they aren't there if you look. Invisible disabilities aren't truly invisible. ⁣
⁣
➡ What are visible signs of your invisible disability? ⬅ ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a chronic health blogger who blogs to help chronic illness patients and their loved ones. Check out my blog at the link in my bio or go to katethealmostgreat.com.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
[Image: Kate stands in front of a mirror on the inside of her closet door, taking a selfie in the mirror., She's a brunette white woman wearing jeans, a blue-and-white top, and round tortoiseshell glasses. She has a TENS unit clipped to her jeans.]
Harley and Piper's new album, coming this fall 😂 ⁣
⁣
Comment below with what you think their album would be named if this was the album cover ⬇ ⁣
⁣
📸 @happydogsboston ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a chronic health blogger who blogs to help chronic illness patients and their loved ones. Check out my blog at the link in my bio or go to katethealmostgreat.com.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
◾⁣
⁣
[Image: 2 dogs but from the perspective of down on the ground looking up at them. The dogs are on a brick pathway in Boston and behind them are classic Boston brownstones, trees without leaves, and a cloudy sky. One dog is a red-and-white cavalier King Charles spaniel, and her ears are flying back in the wind. The other is a golden retriever.]
Even once you're done with school, you should neve Even once you're done with school, you should never stop learning. That doesn't mean that you have to take classes! Learning can look however you want. ⁣
⁣
You can take up a new hobby. ⁣
⁣
You can learn a new skill. ⁣
⁣
You can learn about the world by getting your news from different sources. ⁣
⁣
There are so many ways to learn, and one of the great things about not being in school anymore is that you can learn about whatever you want and whatever interests you. ⁣
⁣
What is something you've learned or learned about? ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a chronic health blogger who blogs to help chronic illness patients and their loved ones. Follow me for more tips on living an awesome life with chronic illness! ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣
⁣
◾⁣
⁣
[Image: Kate sits in a gray chair, facing the camera. She's a brunette white woman wearing black pants, a white sweater, and round tortoiseshell glasses. She's holding an open book. Behind her on the walls are a couple of round mirrors.]
I've been missing rural Maine these days. While I I've been missing rural Maine these days. While I like being able to see people out and about in Boston, spending most of 2020 in rural Maine really reinforced how much my soul prefers country to the city. ⁣
⁣
I don't know what to do about that short-term, but it is helpful to know that my long-term goal of moving back to Maine (or at least not living long-term in the city) is in fact something that I will love. ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a chronic health blogger who blogs to help chronic illness patients and their loved ones. Check out my blog at the link in my bio or go to katethealmostgreat.com.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
[Image: Looking at a lake that has a rock-filled "beach" with rocks going out to a point. The other side of the lake is filled with trees.]
Put on a full face of makeup for a small Easter ce Put on a full face of makeup for a small Easter celebration today. This is your reminder that while it's nice to dress up and look nice, celebrating in small ways is just as good as celebrating in big ones. Also, Jesus doesn't want you to risk your health or the health of others to celebrate. ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a chronic health blogger who blogs to help chronic illness patients and their loved ones. Follow me for more tips on living an awesome life with chronic illness! ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
[Image: Kate takes a selfie. She's a brunette white woman wearing a v-neck ribbed shirt, claddagh necklace, and round tortoiseshell glasses.] ⁣
⁣
#bostonbloggers #bostonian #bostonblogger #proptoit #myunicornlife #makemoments #acolorstory #makeyousmilestyle #liveunscripted #howyouglow #mybeautifulmess #choosejoy #influencehercollective #howiseeit #inspiredwomen #documentyourdays #momentsofmine #myeverydaymagic #darlingdaily #todayslovely #seekmoments #momentslikethese #posttheordinary #thatauthenticfeeling #discoverunder5k #BossGirlBloggers #ChronicIllnessBlogger #bostonma
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Chronic health lifestyle blog

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✨ AN INTRO TO MY DIAGNOSES ✨ ⁣ ⁣ Hi, frien ✨ AN INTRO TO MY DIAGNOSES ✨ ⁣
⁣
Hi, friends! I haven't introduced myself in a while, so I thought I would share who I am, what my #chronicillness diagnoses are, and why I talk about my health online. ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a millennial in New England, either Boston or Maine. I work for an education non-profit, I have a blog for chronic illness patients and their loved ones, I read a lot of books, and I love my pets. ⁣
⁣
I have: ⁣
rheumatoid arthritis ⁣
fibromyalgia ⁣
endometriosis ⁣
POTS ⁣
chronic anemia ⁣
asthma ⁣
⁣
I talk about my health online to help other patients and their loved ones. Living with chronic illness is 𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘺. There's the physical isolation, which has especially shown up since the pandemic started, and there's the loneliness of feeling like no one gets what your reality is like. ⁣
⁣
I felt so lonely when I was diagnosed with RA, which only increased when I couldn't go places or do things with my friends. The first couple of years after my diagnosis were so hard because most people I knew didn't get it. ⁣
⁣
The only people who did get it were others with chronic illness.⁣
⁣
If no one else gets it in your life, know that my blog and I are here for you. You can find it at the link in my bio or go to katethealmostgreat.com. ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
[Image: Kate sits on a gray chair with an open laptop on her lap. She's wearing a cream cable knit sweater, jeans, and round tortoiseshell glasses. Behind her is an open secretary, on which there is a lamp, and round mirrors hanging on the wall.]
We take spring real seriously around here 😂 ⁣ We take spring real seriously around here 😂 ⁣
⁣
Hey, we've got to enjoy it when we get it because in New England we can get Nor'Easters in April ... like we did last week. ⁣
⁣
📸 @happydogsboston ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a chronic illness patient, advocate, and blogger. Check out my blog at the link in my bio or ➡  katethealmostgreat.com⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
[Image: Harley the golden retriever sits on grass on a little park in Boston. Behind him is a flowering tree and the grass is covered in petals. Behind that are brownstone buildings.]
There's a new blog post up today all about MEDIA K There's a new blog post up today all about MEDIA KITS! They are essential if you are a blogger or influencer who wants to make money from your work. Click the link in my bio to read or ➡ katethealmostgreat.com. ⁣
⁣
PS - My ebook for chronic health bloggers includes a Canva media kit template! That's just 1 of 11 resources in it, and the ebook is just $10. You can also find that at the link in my bio. ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a chronic health blogger who blogs to help chronic illness patients and their loved ones. Follow me for more tips on living an awesome life with chronic illness! ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
[Image: Kate sits at a desk working on a silver laptop. She's a brunette white woman and is wearing a pink tank dress and large brown glasses. In front of the camera, next to the laptop, is a blue-and-white coffee mug.]
💉 day! Grateful grateful grateful ◼️ [Im 💉 day! Grateful grateful grateful

◼️ 

[Image: Kate takes a selfie. She is a brunette white woman wearing a peach top, a mask, and round tortoiseshell glasses. She is sitting in a convention center holding a card that says “Thanks! For getting vaccinated.]
✨ VISIBLE SIGNS OF MY "INVISIBLE" DISABILITY ✨ ✨ VISIBLE SIGNS OF MY "INVISIBLE" DISABILITY ✨ ⁣
⁣
1️⃣ TENS unit clipped on my jeans to help my foot and ankle pain ⁣
2️⃣ Wearing sneakers because a) they're the only shoes I can really tolerate b) I have an indoors and an outdoors pair c) I have to wear sneakers/can't go barefoot for long because of my foot and ankle pain ⁣
3️⃣ Leaning on my closet door slightly because it's the only way I can really stay still for pictures ⁣
4️⃣ Wearing glasses because I can't wear contacts due to dry eyes, which is a side effect of many of my medications ⁣
5️⃣ Popsocket on my phone because I really can't keep a grasp on it due to my super arthritic hands ⁣
⁣
These are just some visible signs! Just because you don't see these things doesn't mean they aren't there if you look. Invisible disabilities aren't truly invisible. ⁣
⁣
➡ What are visible signs of your invisible disability? ⬅ ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a chronic health blogger who blogs to help chronic illness patients and their loved ones. Check out my blog at the link in my bio or go to katethealmostgreat.com.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
[Image: Kate stands in front of a mirror on the inside of her closet door, taking a selfie in the mirror., She's a brunette white woman wearing jeans, a blue-and-white top, and round tortoiseshell glasses. She has a TENS unit clipped to her jeans.]
Harley and Piper's new album, coming this fall 😂 ⁣
⁣
Comment below with what you think their album would be named if this was the album cover ⬇ ⁣
⁣
📸 @happydogsboston ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a chronic health blogger who blogs to help chronic illness patients and their loved ones. Check out my blog at the link in my bio or go to katethealmostgreat.com.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
◾⁣
⁣
[Image: 2 dogs but from the perspective of down on the ground looking up at them. The dogs are on a brick pathway in Boston and behind them are classic Boston brownstones, trees without leaves, and a cloudy sky. One dog is a red-and-white cavalier King Charles spaniel, and her ears are flying back in the wind. The other is a golden retriever.]
Even once you're done with school, you should neve Even once you're done with school, you should never stop learning. That doesn't mean that you have to take classes! Learning can look however you want. ⁣
⁣
You can take up a new hobby. ⁣
⁣
You can learn a new skill. ⁣
⁣
You can learn about the world by getting your news from different sources. ⁣
⁣
There are so many ways to learn, and one of the great things about not being in school anymore is that you can learn about whatever you want and whatever interests you. ⁣
⁣
What is something you've learned or learned about? ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a chronic health blogger who blogs to help chronic illness patients and their loved ones. Follow me for more tips on living an awesome life with chronic illness! ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣
⁣
◾⁣
⁣
[Image: Kate sits in a gray chair, facing the camera. She's a brunette white woman wearing black pants, a white sweater, and round tortoiseshell glasses. She's holding an open book. Behind her on the walls are a couple of round mirrors.]
I've been missing rural Maine these days. While I I've been missing rural Maine these days. While I like being able to see people out and about in Boston, spending most of 2020 in rural Maine really reinforced how much my soul prefers country to the city. ⁣
⁣
I don't know what to do about that short-term, but it is helpful to know that my long-term goal of moving back to Maine (or at least not living long-term in the city) is in fact something that I will love. ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a chronic health blogger who blogs to help chronic illness patients and their loved ones. Check out my blog at the link in my bio or go to katethealmostgreat.com.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
[Image: Looking at a lake that has a rock-filled "beach" with rocks going out to a point. The other side of the lake is filled with trees.]
Put on a full face of makeup for a small Easter ce Put on a full face of makeup for a small Easter celebration today. This is your reminder that while it's nice to dress up and look nice, celebrating in small ways is just as good as celebrating in big ones. Also, Jesus doesn't want you to risk your health or the health of others to celebrate. ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
I'm Kate, a chronic health blogger who blogs to help chronic illness patients and their loved ones. Follow me for more tips on living an awesome life with chronic illness! ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ ⁣
⁣
◾ ⁣
⁣
[Image: Kate takes a selfie. She's a brunette white woman wearing a v-neck ribbed shirt, claddagh necklace, and round tortoiseshell glasses.] ⁣
⁣
#bostonbloggers #bostonian #bostonblogger #proptoit #myunicornlife #makemoments #acolorstory #makeyousmilestyle #liveunscripted #howyouglow #mybeautifulmess #choosejoy #influencehercollective #howiseeit #inspiredwomen #documentyourdays #momentsofmine #myeverydaymagic #darlingdaily #todayslovely #seekmoments #momentslikethese #posttheordinary #thatauthenticfeeling #discoverunder5k #BossGirlBloggers #ChronicIllnessBlogger #bostonma
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