Today’s the day: I’m leaving the comfort of my own home and venturing out into the world. In other words, I’m going to work.
I’ve been working from home for the past year and a half and while it sounds like a great deal, it really isn’t. It’s definitely had it’s challenges and I’m at the point where being at home isn’t moving me ahead. We rented office space and bought furniture and today is my first official day of doing the work-outside-the-home thing.
On one hand I’m crazy excited… on the other, I’m nervous for what this huge change in my life will bring. Working from home has not been all it’s cracked up to be. Sure, I’ve been able to leave at the drop of a hat and bring a forgotten lunchbox to school. I’ve been able to get up from my desk, leave everything exactly as is and pick right back up after school pick-up. But the distractions all around me that hindered my day-to-day work have become exactly that… hindering.
The dog barking.
The phone ringing.
The door knocking.
The recorded TV shows calling my name.
The refrigerator.
The laundry.
The sink full of dishes.
I’ve worked so hard the last several months to figure out how to get work done with all the distractions. It’s hard and I’m tired of it. So I’m making the leap. Moving out of the house and into a real office.
Suddenly this idea of a business is feeling very real.
My biggest issues now are my kids and how I’m going to handle all the “usual” things that need to happen. It’s not like I’m terribly far from home in my new digs, but the point in moving in is that I have a place to focus ONLY on work. Of course, we all know that the shopping and the cleaning and laundry and the cooking and the carpools STILL need to get done. So how does one make the transition?
Here’s what I’m looking for…
- Easy dinner ideas (crock posts only go so far before you get sick and tired of them).
- Effective chore charts (for older kids who are totally capable of doing chores).
- Sanity boosters (for me).
- Your favorite wine (because, you know… I’ll be needing it).
- Any tips and tricks you’ve found that help you get through the day-to-day without going crazy.
Congratulations!! As a veteran/lifer work-from-home’r, I know what you mean!
I just invested in an expensive electric pressure cooker. Tons of recipes out there and it will save me a bunch of time. My first recipe test tonight will be mac ‘n cheese.
As for chores, I assigned one chore per kid. One wiped down all the bathrooms. Another did trash. Another does pet responsibilities. On the weekends, we do a big cleaning where one always vacuums, one always dusts, etc. No charts required if they only have the 1-2 things to remember, and if someone tries to pull the “I forgot” line, I got to really say “You have ONE JOB!”
Wine. Keep a fridge at the office. Obviously, not recommending drinking and driving, but you just never know. That $100 is so worth it. (I can see mine from here, it makes me smile.)
Have fun!
Wine I can do! And they are in your hood, at that — love these guys: http://www.pulchellawinery.com
(Hell, maybe they need social?)
This is a HUGE deal! Congratulations!!!! I can’t wait to hear about your office adventures! I just started working outside of the home a couple of days each week, and it really has done great things for my productivity!
It’s good to hear that you’re looking forward to this change. I know I personally am loving the work from home life. But then again, I don’t have kids or dogs running around to distract me!