When working from home, getting your private and work life mixed up is easier than you think. And while there are benefits to that - it can become too much for people who want to separate their working and private lives.
And it makes sense, why would anyone want to be reminded of work on the weekend when they are supposed to be resting and getting ready for the week ahead. If that’s something you’re struggling with - in this article, we will take a look at ways to keep work and personal life separate while working from the comfort of your own home.
1. Have Designated Office Space
As much as one would love to lay in bed and work under the blanket, that’s not a good idea. The bedroom should be a place where you rest, and under no circumstances should any work be done in that room.
Setting such boundaries early on is essential as you will know that each different place in the house is used for different purposes. That way - you won’t carry your working life into your bedroom and vice versa.
If you struggle to work from home due to not having an adequate amount of space to make a designated office, you can always rent an office space for a couple of hours or go to a coffee shop.
2. Manage Your Time Properly
Set a clear schedule for yourself and stick to it. Don't overwork yourself so much that you won't be able to spend time with the kids when they get home from school or be able to go on date night with your partner.
By having a set schedule for when your work must be done - you are subconsciously reminding yourself that work starts and ends at a certain time. By being inconsistent and having different work hours every day, you are making it difficult to set a routine and to get into the habit of separating your working life from your personal life.
By separating the two effectively - you’ll have plenty of time to not only finish your work but also spend time with your family and friends.
3. Take Time Off
When the workday ends - don’t go and do more work. Take time off. That’s essential if you want to increase your productivity at work. The last thing you want to do is burn out because you never seem to have a day off - no matter how hard you try.
It can be pretty hard to take time off when the to-do list keeps growing but it is essential and definitely recommended - especially during the weekend.
We’ve also explored the topic around working on the weekends, and if that’s of interest, don’t hesitate to check it out.
4. Use Productivity Apps That Keep You On Track
When your to-do list is practically endless, keeping yourself on track and not falling behind schedule can be pretty tricky. Luckily - there are a ton of free and pain productivity applications that will help you stay focused, productive, and on track no matter how hectic your schedule may be.
And remember, when everything is planned and organised - dealing with hectic schedules is a whole lot easier, less messy, and stressful. We recently wrote a guide on the best time tracking tools so if you need some ideas - don’t hesitate to check it out.
5. Implement Changes
If you’re struggling with separating your working life from your personal life when working from home - you need to identify the problem and find a solution. Is the problem that you don’t have enough space for a designated office space? Or could it be that your work is around the clock?
If it’s the former, there are many things you can do. Simply putting a desk in the corner of your living room will do the job. But if the issue is with your job and the responsibilities you have - you should really take a look at how to avoid burning out working a fast-paced job.
Conclusion
Achieving a work-life balance while working from home can be pretty tough. That’s why - you must take all the necessary steps to separate the two. And while it can be pretty hard, you should do your very best to implement the steps we mentioned above, and soon after - you’ll start to see a notable difference.
And remember, the best thing you can do to separate your private life from work is to have a designated space that is only used for working and setting a working schedule that you stick to no matter what.
