As it stands, we’re navigating a global crisis: a major pandemic. Along with it, a cloud of uncertainty looms. But for the majority of us, there’s a new norm – that is, getting used to our new reality of working from home.
For the past few weeks, while I sat glued to my makeshift work desk (the nightstand adjacent to my bed, plus: a tall glass of lemon-infused water and my laptop), I found myself oscillating between checking my emails, actually working, and online shopping. What I was drawn to seemed pretty telling: little gadgets to upgrade my workstation – which makes sense, seeing how none of us really knows how long social distancing would last, so we might as well get ourselves comfortable.
To help tide you through it all, here’s a feel-good home survival kit curated to support your #WFH needs. Bonus: you can cart them out online under the comforts of your own duvet.
For those of us who don’t have a work desk or simply prefer to work while tucked into soft linens, you’ll need a lap desk so that you can make any couch or bed your own personal office.
This lap desk will ensure you stay productive and comfortable, equipping you with an ergonomic cushioned wrist rest, a dual-bolster cushion on the underside that conforms to the shape of your lap, and even a phone slot to hold up your phone.
Working from home tends to come with its own set of distractions. To help keep you on top of things, having a wall mount with little memos and to-do lists displayed in front of your workstation can really help keep you focussed and motivated. This frame kit is made from wooden edge pieces with strings of twine, allowing you to hang and peg different notes of motivation and Post-its in an organised fashion.
One of the bigger challenges I’ve encountered working from home is resisting the urge to fiddle with my phone during work hours. Enter: This wireless charger. Not only does it charge your smartphone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time, it also reduces clutter and helps keep your workspace organised (read also “From Storage To Minimalist Design, Here Are 7 Ways To Reorganise Your Space“). To add, you’d be able to better resist the temptation of reaching for your phone when it HAS to sit against the charging pad in order to charge.
I can never resist a pair of soft, cozy home slippers – walking around the house as if I’m treading on a bed of clouds feels almost spa-like and therapeutic. These slippers, in an Instagrammable shade of crystal pink, are crafted with a plush fuzzy footbed. Feel your best in these luxurious slippers.
Snuggling under a cozy blanket while working is perhaps one of the tiny little things that bring a smile to face these days. For me, being wrapped in a soft merino blanket has a deeply calming effect that manages to soothe feelings of stress (here are ways to ease your stress and relax right now) and anxiety at times. Available in a variety of pretty colours, like soft pink, baby blue and white, this chunky knit blanket is a lovely piece of home decor that will also beautify your apartment.
When I’m home all day, I practically live in my PJs. It’s both a blessing and a curse. A blessing, because I get to “go to work” without all the usual fuss of having to get dressed in the morning; a curse, as it means I have to scramble to style my upper body in a presentable jacket whenever a video conference is initiated. Cue: this flowy, voluminous slip dress. Rendered in a sweet peach hue, this slip dress looks both dressy and comfortable so you’d be able to float around the house while feeling like a relaxed goddess.
Keep your home office environment as uplifting and rejuvenating as possible with a candle with a relaxing scent. Housed in a beautiful ceramic vessel with floral illustrations, this luxurious candle was made in a town on the French Riviera that’s also known as the perfume capital of the world: Grasse. Releasing fragrance notes of cedar, elemi, gurjum, incense, patchouli, Tonka bean, vanilla, this candle will help create a soothing environment as you wade through the work day (more candles here).
There are small ways for you to decompress in the middle of the work day. I find the act of lathering my hands and the drier parts of my body with lotion relaxing. This hand and body lotion contains Ylang Ylang, which is meant to relieve irritability and Petitgrain essential oils, which supposedly helps to clear the mind. Even the act of taking time away from the laptop to apply the lotion can have such a cathartic payoff as a short 5-minute break.
Treat yourself to a quick and easy facial with a refreshing and gentle face mask. When you’re working from home, it’s usually hard to demarcate between your “working mode” and “off-duty mode”.
Ending the day with a deeply soothing treat, such as a long bubble bath with wine or indulging in good skincare, can help you establish a routine that helps you “switch off” at the end of the day. This face mask from Fresh combats tired, dull skin with a meld of kombu seaweed, red algae, and lotus seed that will both exfoliate and brighten your complexion.
I quickly realised within my first couple of days in self-isolation that FOMO never really ends, even when everyone else is quarantined at home too. The pressure of being productive is heightened especially when working from home feels like the exact opposite.
Hence, I’ve been trying to find hobbies and crafts to work on to ensure I don’t spend my entire day sitting in front of a screen.
Perhaps you’d enjoy cooking new recipes you’ve never had the time to try out before, or picking up a new book; but if you want to be slightly more adventurous, one cool activity you can try out is indoor gardening (read also “Air-Purifying Plants That Will Give You Cleaner Air At Home“). This indoor gardening kit comes with a complimentary lettuce seed so you can immediately try your hand at it.