There are tons of Work From Home Strategies Out there...

My New Favorite… Take a REAL Lunch Break

I don’t know what psychological mechanism is working to make this happen, but taking “real” lunch break, where I turn off my computer and leave my desk, has been a game-changer.

When I first started working from home (back in 2020), I wouldn’t take a lunch break. Instead, I would just make myself some food and sit back down at my workspace. Sometimes I’d turn on a quick episode of a show, but most of the time I’d continue working on whatever tasks I had for the day.

Beat the Afternoon Slump with a Full Reset

Fast-forward to this year, and I make sure to move into a different space, giving myself a “real” lunch break. I was finding that when I stayed at my desk for lunch, I would end up scrolling on Insta, watching a show for several hours (instead of just one episode) and just overall feeling less motivated to get back to my work.

Now, when I turn off my computer, and actively give myself a full break, it’s easier and more exciting to come back to my desk and work on the rest of my tasks for the afternoon. The midday slump can come on as early as 11am for me some days, so giving myself a break to recharge and change my scenery has made a big difference in getting more work done in the afternoons!

Make a List of Non-Work Tasks & Let the Rest Go

On some days it feels like I can’t get anything done because I’m distracted by other tasks all day long. Dishes are dirty! Windowsills need dusting! The dog food bowls could use a good scrubbing… Laundry, sinks, sweeping… all of it can start to pile up and seem unending.

So, if there are non-work tasks I want to get to, I make a list of them for that day and do them, but I LET the REST goooo. Dishes aren’t on the list today? They can wait until tomorrow! Swiffering the floors on the list, but windowsills aren’t? Windowsills can wait a few more days.



I love having a clean and organized home, but I can get caught up in the minute details if I don’t watch out. Making a list and sticking to it helps me stay on track with my work.

Plan your “Big” Workdays

A few days of each month, (or week, depending on my workload) are “Big” workdays, where I don’t have anything scheduled. I know for a fact I will be in my office for a minimum of 8 hours straight (minus the lunch break), because I have a lot I want to accomplish. I love my “Big” workdays because I get to really jam on projects and find a nice rhythm. I don’t take Zooms, meetings, calls, or make plans on those days. I get myself nice and comfortable, and make sure to take water and eye breaks in between.

Not everyone works this way, but I’ve found it amazing for me. Rotating between several projects all day long without distractions or interruptions allows me to stay on top of my tasks and gives me some cushion for days when things are a bit more hectic with meetings, phone calls, and unexpected tasks.

Is Your Day Super Scheduled or Unscheduled?

I know lots of people don’t necessarily have the luxury of an unscheduled day like I do, but if you do, give it a try to see if you like it!

Plan on “Out of the House” Days

When I spend multiple days in a row working from home, I start to get a little… weird. My eyes feel funny, my brain spins around, and I become a bit of a zombie.

I love to plan days where I will actively and specifically work somewhere else besides my home. This was next to impossible for the first 2 years of the pandemic, but now that coffee shops and different stores are open, I like to plan days where I’ll get out of my home office and into a new environment. When I get back to my own desk the next day, I’m refreshed and more focused.

How Else do You Make WFH Work for You?

Let me know in the comments what other strategies you use to make the most of your work from home lifestyle!

Image Credit: Catwalkstudios