Working from home sounded like a dream at first, right? No commute, pajama dress code, and the fridge is only a few steps away.
But then reality hits—you’re sitting at your kitchen table, halfway through an email, and suddenly realize you’ve been working for ten hours straight… in the same sweatpants. It’s easy for the lines between work and home to blur when your “office” is right next to your couch.
So, how do you keep work from taking over your life when you work from home? Here are some tips to create that much-needed boundary (without going into the office).
1. Create a dedicated workspace
Look, not all of us have a spare room we can transform into an Instagram-worthy office. But even if you’re working in a corner of your living room, designate some space just for work. This helps mentally separate your job from your chill zone.
Bonus points if you can leave it at the end of the day and not look at it again until morning.
2. Set clear working hours
When you work from home, time can become… a little fuzzy. One minute it’s 10 a.m., the next it’s 8 p.m., and you’re still answering emails. Set a start and end time, just like you would in a regular office.
When the workday is over, close your laptop, push your chair back, and pretend you’re clocking out—even if your “commute” is just a trip to the kitchen for dinner.
3. Change your clothes
(Yes, even the pajamas)
This one sounds silly, but it works. Get out of your pajamas (even if they’re super cozy) and put on something different during work hours. You don’t need to wear a full suit, but something as simple as jeans or a comfy t-shirt can help signal to your brain that it’s time to get to work. At the end of the day, change back into your lounge clothes—it’s like flipping a switch from “work mode” to “home mode.”
4. Use tech boundaries
(AKA turn Off the Notifications!)
When your phone is blowing up with Slack messages at 10 p.m., it’s hard to resist diving back into work. Turn off notifications after work hours so you’re not tempted to check in. And don’t let work emails sit in your inbox over the weekend like a ticking time bomb—mute, do not disturb, and unplug.
5. Take real breaks
(No, Scrolling Through Instagram Doesn’t Count)
When you’re working from home, it’s easy to forget to take breaks. But trust me, you need them! Step away from your desk, take a walk, stretch, or just stare out the window for five minutes. And remember, a lunch break is supposed to involve actual lunch, not cramming food between Zoom calls.
6. End the day with a routine
Just like a morning routine can kickstart your day, an end-of-day routine can help you wind down. Whether it’s a quick walk around the block, listening to your favorite podcast, or even just shutting down your computer and lighting a candle, find a way to transition from work brain to home brain.
7. Communicate boundaries with others
If you live with roommates, a partner, or family members, make sure they know when you’re “at work.” That means no knocking on the door every five minutes asking if you want to watch Netflix (as tempting as it sounds). A little communication goes a long way in keeping your focus on work and saving your sanity.
8. Give yourself permission to clock out
This might be the hardest part. When you work from home, it’s easy to feel guilty about not being “on” 24/7. But remember, just because your workspace is at home doesn’t mean you have to live there. You deserve downtime. So when you’re done for the day, be done for the day.
Set boundaries when working from home
Working from home can be awesome, but only if you’re not constantly feeling like you’re living at the office. By setting up some boundaries—both physical and mental—you can create a healthy separation between work and home life.
Plus, you’ll have a much better excuse for changing out of those sweatpants.
