The current situation has hit most of us hard and is more difficult than any of us could have imagined. Now more than ever (the new phrase everyone is using) is the best time to have a set routine, so that we can have some sense of normalcy. I find myself with much more time to work on my voiceover business, which is great, but not something I am used to. Here are some things that I have found useful to help with setting a routine.
- Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
- Put on clothes that make you feel presentable, it’s a weird mindset shift if you are wearing clothes that make you feel good. Then changing into comfier clothes at the end of the day feels even more cosy! I also do my makeup, but I know this isn’t for everyone.
- Having set working hours really helps you switch off after the workday.
- Tidy your work area and then shut the door on that room/close off that workspace until the morning. This will allow you to separate work and relaxing.
- Setting weekly goals and breaking them down day by day into to-do lists, set timers to work on different tasks for a set amount of time.
- Take a full hour for your lunch break and don’t eat lunch at your desk. Go for a walk (or sit in your garden if you have one).
- Leave things like laundry and tidying to breaks, so that you don’t procrastinate.
- Do/plan fun things in the evenings and at the weekends, not just watching Netflix (although sometimes that is just what you need) it will mean you have stuff to look forward to. I have already tried paper quilling, lino printing and pop-up cards. My partner and I are doing online pub quizzes, crosswords, puzzles, and I am interested in the wealth of theatre productions that are now available online. Now that things are starting to open up again in London, we are planning more outdoor activities/pub outings/brunch dates and walks with friends. I am very aware of how much I look at screens now and am trying to mix it up by not planning all my down time to involve screens.
These are just a handful of ideas to help you set a routine and have helped me. There are plenty of other things you can do that might be more suited to your situation.
Feature image by Laura Chouette on Unsplash
Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash