THE PROFOUND VALUE OF THE WFH MORNING ROUTINE
Working from home is nothing new. Since the you-know-what began in 2020, it has become the norm for many, though the struggle was incredibly real in the beginning. Even for me, someone who had been on the WFH grind for nearly seven years at that point.
Why, you may wonder? For starters, clients, friends, and family were suddenly so available - and online. Also, I lacked routine.
I’m among those that used to roll out of bed in the morning and head straight to the computer. I was living in San Diego in 2020, with a three-hour time difference between me and most of my clients. I needed to get up and get moving because most people were already working!
Prior to the West Coast move, I had still been the early-to-rise type. I seemed to get so much completed before others logged on and emails started flooding in. I cherished this time I had to myself to work quietly and feel productive. It’s something I had worked hard toward, having had zero boundaries in the early days of freelance - answering emails at midnight, responding to text messages immediately [even when OOO], and answering press calls well into the night. I lacked sacred personal time, and made it my mission to carve out that space for myself. Yet, I still wasn’t quite there.
While I tried to figure out how to navigate the unprecedented waters of a pandemic, I found many friends struggling as well. I thought about the things that had worked for me to stay focused and feel accomplished, like making my bed first thing in the morning, or using a sound machine if sharing a living space. Many found these little tips helpful before they headed back into offices. We made it through.
But now I am seeing a shift again in my circle. We’re figuring out what’s next, and quite a few people are deciding to give up their corporate jobs, structured positions at small businesses, or switch careers altogether. The majority are heading into the world of freelance. I think of it as the Wild West - it’s new, full of possibility, and absolutely insane. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past four years as I’ve refined my WFH process while growing my business, it’s that there is profound value in the morning routine.
There are tons of reasons why having a morning routine is good for your mental health and productivity. For me, this includes doing something for myself first. Fresh from brushing my teeth, I sit at my desk to do my Morning Pages, tune into a Master Class [currently Joyce Carol Oates], work on creative projects in my notebook or on the laptop, and/or read, with coffee in hand. Next I usually exercise before taking my first peek at my email or the social media accounts I manage. If anything is a priority, I’ll look to respond to those first before getting ready for the day. That would be my version of the Everything Shower because, self-care. Then, the work day really begins.
This routine is made possible by my evening rituals of organizing tasks, scheduling emails, and making weekly and daily to-do lists, providing space and balance for the following day. For me, it also helps beat the Sunday Scaries. And I have to say, I love Mondays. Fresh from a weekend reset, a good Monday sets the tone for my week.
It may seem like a lot happens before work really begins, but this routine improves my personal well-being, making me more present and productive at my desk. As you develop your own routine, whether you work from home or need a boost before heading into the office, check in with yourself to see what you really need to feel your best personally and professionally. And don’t forget to give yourself a little grace - not every day will be the same, nor will every day be perfect. After all, that would be boring, wouldn’t it?
— RB
