Lost or lonely while working from home?
I am just back from a long trip to Germany, where we supported the care of my mother-in-law who recently had a stroke. After this visit, I had a hard time settling back into my office and my work routine. I felt a bit lost and uncomfortable, and couldn't really figure out where and how to start. And then I remembered some of the creative ideas I always give my clients when they struggle with working from home alone.
What is the most important thing to feel comfortable in your office?
And how do you boost yourself up when you feel a bit lost, overwhelmed, or not overly confident?
While not all of the below will make you feel less lonely while working from home, they all can help boosting your mood and your confidence.
FRESHEN UP
Start your day with ease and care. Pay attention to yourself and what you need right now.
During your morning shower, spend an extra moment feeling the water cascading down your body, washing all your worries away.
While you brush your hair and your teeth, make funny faces at the mirror. You may or may not imagine another person…
When you apply your facial cream (or make up) spend some time soothing your face instead of just rushing through your routine.
Spend extra time massaging your fingers and hands with some (scented) hand cream. Remember, these hands will work a lot today. The same is true for your feet.
THE POWER OF SCENT
According to some research, a pleasant scent can improve your mood by 40%.
When you are having your morning brew, take a moment to really smell it. For me the scent of coffee is tightly entwined in my childhood memories, and always lifts my mood.
Scented hand creams or oils at your desk can be a powerful source for comfort and therefore work as a confidence booster too.
Open your windows to let some fresh air in and smell the beautiful scents the fresh breeze can bring into your room.
Make your favorite breakfast and inhale the scent it creates. If you want to get back to a beautiful childhood or vacation memory to lift your spirits, create a breakfast that reminds you of it.
THE POWER OF COLOR
Color is deeply connected to our emotions and we can boost our energy or make a statement with color.
Wear a mood lifting color. Black (even if it is your go-to) is not the best confidence booster nor is it a great color for video conferences. Black creates a sense of unapproachability.
Have a picture of nature near your screen with lots of blues and greens, as these colors can help you to relax.
Google “the meaning of color” or “emotions color wheel” if you need some inspiration on what color to wear for important meetings.
THE POWER OF TEXTURE, WEIGHT, AND TEMPERATURE
Do you ever consider what your hands “feel” for you? And therefore can create comfort or even discomfort?
Let some warm or cold water run through your fingers and see how it affects you.
Ensure your room has the right temperature. Too hot or too cold both affect your comfort and concentration.
Wear clothes that have texture and color you enjoy. There is a reason most of us love silk or soft cotton.
Pick a light and a heavy object from your desk and move it in your hands. Which one do you prefer? Some people chose a heavy pen to write with as this just feels better.
Have something on your desk to fidget with. That can be a soft ball, a fidget spinner, a hair band, a pen, a crystal or pebble etc.
POWER SOCKS
When I asked women what they wear or bring to an important meeting to boost their confidence, one told us about a particular pair of socks. Every woman in the room came forward with her secret confidence booster or touch stone. If you do not know yet what that might be, consider the following:
A bracelet, necklace or other piece of jewelry that is meaningful or important to you.
A clothing item that has the right color, texture, and even weight and makes you feel good about yourself.
A touch stone you can have in your pocket. That can be a pebble, a penny, a crystal, a little toy from your kids, anything.
SET UP YOUR OFFICE SPACE
There are people who need a minimalist office space, and while I love how it looks in a magazine, I am not that person. I do need a clean office, but I am also a highly creative person who needs a bit of chaos around me. This bit of creative chaos regularly becomes too much. While I wish I had a routine to clear it every Friday to be prepared for the Monday blues, it does not happen that way for me. However, I know that when I am not feeling good about myself, it’s high time to clear the excess chaos from my desk.
Invest in some office supplies to organize your stuff in a way that creates comfort.
If you also get these office supplies in your favorite color it can be another source of joy.
Add flowers to your desk, for color, for scent, for joy.
Ensure that your desk is lit up for optimum comfort and health. If need be, buy a new lamp.
MOVE YOUR BODY
While working from home or on a tight deadline, we often forget to get up. At least I do. Movement changes your perspective, and therefore your mood. You increase the oxygen flowing through your body, nourishing your cells and therefore come up with an idea or solution much easier and quicker.
Get out of your chair regularly, stretch your body, look at something different, day dream for a moment.
Add a walk to your lunch break. And yes, have a lunch break, do not skip it.
Still not enough, try some power poses.
And call a friend.
PAUSE!
And while you are up, take a break. Breathe in and out, through your whole body, reminding yourself that you are alive, that there is joy running through your veins. Check your energy level, hydrate and feed yourself to keep going.
Do you have any other comfort and confidence boosters? I’d love to hear about them. Let me know what worked for you in the comments.
First published April 15, 2022
