Well hello there! Last week we gave you a tour of LS Interiors. This week we’re back with some ideas on how to boost productivity by creating a personalized and pretty workspace. I don’t know about you, but I’m the type that can’t get a thing done unless the space around me is organized and calm. There’s definitely a psychological link. When my space is neat and a reflection of myself, it lifts my spirits and allows me to be about 90% more productive. I’m sure there is a psychological study on this somewhere! Actually, here is one!
So, in a time where mental health and work productivity from home is essential (even if you’re not an essential worker), I thought I would share with you a few ideas on how to elevate your work space and hopefully boost your mood.
1. DESIGNATE A WORKSPACE
Whether it’s literally in a closet, a sliver of your dining table, or you are lucky enough to have an entire room, designate a space that is specifically for work productivity. If it’s a small spot, for example, a seat at your kitchen counter, make sure you put away your work at the end of the day. Designate a place for your laptop/papers so you don’t have to look at it while cooking dinner. It’s so easy to be constantly “dialed in” during shelter in place, but the fact is, you should not be expected to work any more than you did before (unless you are a helping hero on the frontlines of this battle). Taking breaks and stepping away from the screen and emails can feel counterintuitive but will actually help give your mind a break, helping you to work with a clearer thought process.
2. MINIMIZE VISUAL CLUTTER
For me, that means trying to keep my desk clear, and my samples corralled in a somewhat orderly fashion. I am definitely not a professional organizer, but often during client projects the lines can be blurred, and I find myself helping with it regardless, at least in a visual manner. I can’t guarantee the contents of these baskets are filed away in an organized manner (although if quarantine continues through the summer, maybe I’ll get to it…). But because the baskets all match in size and color, and they neatly line the bottom two shelves, they appear to be organized. And that, my friends, is enough for me to feel at peace in my space.
3. BUT ALSO… BE REALISTIC
#realtalk - if you’re going to fully work from home, it’s not going to be that perfectly polished library home office that you see in a magazine. The truth is, you need somewhere you can let it all hang out. It is home after all, right? I have a rule with myself that I can designate one space to be the messy spot. Since I’m a visual person, I need to have my bulletin board where I can pin up school schedules, samples, reminders, important receipts, etc. Since it’s tucked around the corner on a small wall that isn’t visible from the entryway, I’m okay with it. For me (and many others), if things aren’t accessible and are tucked away where I can’t see them, I’m never going to use them efficiently. So you can see I’ve got my vendor catalogs, a somewhat organized jumble of client folders, a printer and shredder, etc. You get the idea. This is the designated utilitarian spot and I use it each and every day. What I’m saying is, give yourself this pardon, and don’t be too hard on yourself if your space isn’t perfecto. Because honestly, that’s not realistic.
4. HONOR YOURSELF
In this case, that means, surround yourself with objects you love, colors that uplift you, and memories that make you smile. Here is a piece of driftwood I took home from a fun family beach day at Baker Beach. The small painting you see leaning is an original painting done by my husbands grandmother. The books are an assortment of my favorite fabric houses, bloggers, etc. Cue, “I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feeeeel soo baddd.” Julie Andrews really tells it like it is, just sayin’. And when you don’t feel so bad (aka you feel good), you will for sure be more productive.
5. SET THE SCENT
Do you ever walk in to one of those beautifully curated boutiques (or, Anthrolpologie, anyone?) and immediately ask the sales associate “What candle are you burning right now? It smells amazing in here.” Do you remember the feeling it gave you as you blissfully shopped around and probably wanted to buy everything in the entire store? Maybe it’s just me? But I think not. Again, there’s definitely some psychology behind this. And the good news is, your workspace can smell just as beautiful as that shop. Some of the most “peaceful” mornings of quarantine I have had are in my office with a cup of coffee, listening to relaxing music and burning a beautifully scented candle (my current obsession is this Salted Grapefruit one I received in my latest ReadyFestive box). Don’t worry, this only lasts about an hour before I am interrupted by screaming children and a husband who needs to “commute” upstairs to be on calls all day in his office. But it’s an hour nonetheless. For scents, I’m also a big fan of the DoTerra Essential Oils, especially Balance which helps ease feelings of being overwhelmed and trying to juggle many things (so, pretty much all of us right now). Anyways, regardless of the size/type of work from home space you have, upgrading the scent is a quick and easy way to elevate the space, mind, and therefore your productivity. (Just make sure to blow out the candle and/or unplug the oil diffuser when you’re done!)
So, there you have it. I’m not saying I have all the answers. Quite the opposite! But… these are five simple ways that will hopefully help you to feel somewhat more centered in your new workspace, whatever that looks like for you.
Thanks for coming by for Part 2 of the home office tour. Good luck to all of us, as some things begin to reopen and “normalcy” (???) attempts to return to us. Links to products below!
Be Well!
~L.S.
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