It’s so easy to get swept up in a work-from-home day, when you’re positively in the zone and getting just so much done.
Or maybe it’s not one of those days, and you think you might actually fall asleep during the next Zoom meeting. Maybe the days are just all blending together, a fuzzy mess of J. Crew tops paired with pajama pants and fuzzy socks, sloughing to the kitchen for another cup of coffee, asking Alexa what day it is so you can write a check for your kids’ soccer registration.
You know what you need? A little romance.
I’m a huge believer in the power of romanticizing your life, sprinkling a little joy and beauty within each day, something to luxuriate in. It can take your day from rote to relish in a second, and you’ll instantly feel a little more main character than unpaid extra.
Stop and make a cup of tea.
Brewing a cup of tea always helps me reset my day, and a steaming cup on my desk instantly makes me feel a little cozier. I take the time to trudge downstairs, put a kettle on, steep it just right, then tote it back to my office. That time taken alone helps me reframe my day, especially when I’m in an output-heavy computer day.
…or a fancy coffee drink.
Not into tea, or need a bigger jolt? Make a jar of fancy coffee syrup on the weekend to have on hand throughout the week. Or try a cold foam: froth 3 tablespoons cold heavy cream, 2 tablespoons cold whole milk, and 1 tablespoon syrup until thick and frothy. You’re going to drink coffee anyway, non? Up the luxury quotient on a necessity and feel the indulgence.
Light a candle or turn on the diffuser.
When you spend 8 hours a day staring into the soft blue-light glow of a screen that feels like it might just suck you in, a little ambience can help bring you back to earth. Lighting a candle grounds me and makes me feel instantly calmer. I especially love the wood wicked candles for that fireplace-style crackle, even in the dead of summer.
Or load up the diffuser with a custom blend of essential oils, based on what mood you’re craving:
If you need focus: peppermint, rosemary, and lemon (I like this blend.)
If you’re feeling burned out: bermagot, lavender, chamomile
If you’re stressed: clary sage, orange, sandalwood
If you want to boost creativity: bergamot, cinnamon, frankincense (I have this blend going all the time.)
If you need energy: peppermint, sweet orange, spearmint, rosemary, lemon
Add fresh fruit or herbs to your water.
Are you in corporate hell or a luxury spa? Add fresh fruit or herbs to your water, and there’s honestly no way to tell the difference anymore. I’m a cucumber water girl, but pineapple + mint water is utterly profound. Strawberry + basil? Divine.
Ideas:
Peach + rosemary = pure summer
Watermelon + lime + mint = even purer summer
Grapefruit + thyme = sophisticated and clarifying
Blueberry + lavender = the coziest of all, a little fruity, calming
Orange + cardamom = bright, a touch sweet, but warming
Cucumber = spa classic
Pineapple + mint = instant poolside vibes
Strawberry + basil = fruity, perfectly herby, like an Italian summer vacation. It’s water that wants to be in the Trevi Fountain when it grows up.
Pick some aesthetic tunes.
Being strategic with your music can turn any moment into a scene of your own design. Instantly freshen up your nebulous work-from-home day with a few of my favorite office-day playlists.
Coding Classical Music: Not just for coding, of course, but this plucky modern classical playlist helps boost my focus and creativity.
Pretending I’m in a Wes Anderson Film: With just the right amount of whimsy (AKA lots), I immediately feel like I’m transported to 111 Archer Avenue and am suddenly fine with editing yet another set of photos.
My Life Is a Movie: When you need main character energy and a little ✨drama✨ stat.
Aesthetic Lofi Music: Great background, calming but still with energy. When nothing else sounds good, I put this playlist on.
Put on your nicest cozy clothes.
We’re not slummin’ it here, but we demand comfort. I have a pair of black silk pajamas that I absolutely love and wear almost every day. The pants are wide legged; the top is a simple scoop neck tank. And let’s call them “pajamas” because I wear them on just about every overseas red-eye flight, so they function well enough in daytime hours, too. My set from Quince is washable and easy to care for.
This linen set is gorgeous and comfy, too, and it looks put together enough to feel that little boost you get whenever you change out of like, sweatpants.
The goal here is to be comfortable, feel a little put together, and wear top-quality natural fibers that feel subtly luxurious.
Swap out your computer desktop image for something pretty.
Apple’s endlessly rolling hills are enough to make anyone feel generic; don’t get me started on the bleakness of a Windows default. It’s easy (and free!) to upgrade your desktop aesthetic, whether based on your mood, goals, or the season.
I’ve been using and loving Oh So Lovely’s “Dress Your Tech” for probably over a decade, and there are a lot of options on Canva (I love how easy it is to customize these, too.) and Unsplash, too.
What do you do you when you’re feeling stuck in the doldrums of work-from-home life? What am I missing? Let me know! I need all the tips.
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