We recently read a fabulous article in Vogue written by the talented writer Michelle Ruiz. In light of the current environment Ruiz proposed her “11 Tips for Working From Home, for the Uninitiated”.
“Millions of people could soon be working from home amid the spread of the coronavirus, and to all of you I say: welcome. I’ve been working remotely for almost six years, though not at the recommendation of public health experts due to a potential pandemic, but because I’m a freelance writer. I’m lucky enough to have a job where it’s possible to work from home, a privilege I don’t take lightly.) “Social distancing”? I’ve been on it long before it was a thing. Working from home, or WFH, can feel like bliss, or the abyss: You are free…but also lonely, and frequently unshowered, and wearing pajamas until 3 p.m. I’ve picked up a few best practices along the way (though I can’t say I always follow them myself). Here are a few ideas on how to make the most of it” ~ Michelle Ruiz
1. Exercise during your would-be commute: Working from home is a gravitational pull toward sloth-like behavior, but getting a sweat in, even if briefly, starts the day on a more energetic note. Seize the time in the morning that you’d normally spend getting to the office and do a home workout class (the Peloton app has yoga, strength, and bootcamp classes that stream to your TV, no pricey bike required) or get outside for a jog or walk (provided you’re not quarantined).
2. Exile any family members if possible: My husband and kids may live here, but this apartment is also my office (on the days when I don’t go to a co-working space), and I need them to vacate it at a reasonable time so I can get cracking. I prefer them to be walking out the door around 8, and will issue friendly but firm reminders if they’re lagging. If children, caregivers, spouses or roommates will be home while you work: Delineate a space that is yours and discuss the hours you’ll need space and privacy. Locked doors are sometimes necessary.
3. Shower and change your clothes: This may seem only obvious and hygienic, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to convince oneself that it’s better to just jump right into work first thing, than to take even a short amount of time to bathe. Note: I am not suggesting that putting on a “real outfit” or “jeans” is a must, but even a swap from last night’s PJ’s to athleisure goes a long way to making you feel like a functioning adult.
4. Embrace podcasts: With no work friends around and the thick sound of silence in the air, podcast hosts have become my faux friends. (That may sound weird, because it is; that’s what happens when you work from home.) I feel less alone thanks to Michael Barbaro explaining the news to me on The Daily; Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber reporting what Rita Ora is up to on Who? Weekly; and Lovett or Leave It for providing the weekly pop culture/politics download. No AirPods required—just blast on speaker into your empty environs!
5. But also: Make fellow WFH friends: The loneliness of working from home is perhaps the hardest part. Put out feelers and find out who else is WFH (and asymptomatic) and make a plan to meet for coffee, take a walk or some such. WFH friends are fantastic for bringing structure, accountability, and inspiring the aforementioned showers. I also get a boost from old-school phone chats with friends who have flexible schedules.
6. Log out of Twitter or your preferred social media: There’s nothing and no one stopping you from near-constant social media scanning while WFH, but signing out has a chastening effect: Instead of clicking right in to an endless stream of content, you’re greeted with a log-in screen, and reminded that you’re supposed to be doing work, not looking at your third-grade best friend’s gender reveal on Instagram.
7. Don’t become Cinderella: Spending all day at home, you suddenly realize just how many chores and projects await: dishwashers needing unloading, messy drawers demanding organizing, kids’ toys strewn about. I like to do a quick straightening-up in the morning so I’m not working amidst a sty, but try not to let too much housework seep into work-work hours. It’s just a noble form of distraction and procrastination.
8. Set boundaries: You may find that other people who work in conventional job settings have a tendency to believe that “working from home” means “not working at all,” and will call or text you at random with questions, concerns or rants etc. A polite “I’ll be working until 5 and can chat later!” or “Call you back on my lunch break” usually works.
9. Beware idle snacking: Overeating a constant stream of fun size Halloween/Valentine’s Day/Easter candy is a longtime occupational hazard of from working from home. By all means, I endorse eating and snacking, but not for eight hours straight. Stocking healthy snacks—chopped veggies and tzatziki, apples and peanut butter—helps.
10. Make yourself a decadent lunch: The work-from-home vortex can mean coming to at 2 p.m. and realizing you never ate lunch, only to grab a granola bar or a container of leftovers and call it a day. But on occasion, I like to use a WFH lunch break—do take a lunch break, for both sustenance and sanity—to make myself a proper lunch of penne, shrimp, and peas tossed in a nice Rao’s marinara sauce.
11. Or better yet, go out to lunch!: Especially if working from home is going to be a fleeting thing, try to take advantage: Meet your WFH friend for lunch, or treat yourself as a party of one. Pop into a bookstore; take a detour through the park, and enjoy the mid-day freedom of having no in-person meetings, or bosses, lurking around. Provided you’re actually allowed out and the cafe’s are still open!
12. Install a pool table at home! This has to be HOMME Magazines best add on recommendation for the WFH initiative.
Nothing quite defines a home like a well-crafted Pool Table. A Pool Table makes a home feel welcoming, fun and most of all relaxing.
The decision to bring a pool table into your home is an exciting time from what size and type of table to designing the room.
Today there are more pool table options than ever and this is largely due to the Industry needing to keep up to speed with changing home designs.
The new home designs range from the very poplar open space entertainment rooms to inner-city units and across the suburbs, strong expansive ground or second floor balconies.
The tables now on offer accommodate all these needs, with the traditional Indoor Tables now sharing the same space as Outdoor Tables.
The Outdoor Tables are built for the variance of weather with the highest grade aluminum electro-statically powder coated used to special rubber cushions and outdoor billiard cloth that is both water and UV resistant.
But the biggest and most exciting development in pool table production has been in the space-saver market.
The space-saver market caters for those wanting a pool table but not wanting to lose a whole room for it. The answer is the Transition Table.
A Transition Table, is a seamless combination of dining table and pool table. When the table top is on a Transition Table it is an impressive feature-piece dining table that compliments any home design.
The pockets are hidden and the play-ability of the slate table is excellent.
At the recent Home Shows, the Transition Tables are receiving plenty of interest with many patrons not knowing such a thing existed.
So with an abundance of pool table options the hardest decision is quite often – which table?
The first step in this process is knowing what size table best suits your space, whether that be indoors or outdoors (consult the experts). After you’ve chosen a pool table then it’s on to room design if it needs to be. With home décor and interior decoration now big business there are now numerous affordable options to bring your entertainment room to life or dining room for that matter.
Whatever the case your new table will most certainly – bring family and friends together!
TABLE SUPPLIER:
Eight Ball Sdn Bhd
22B Jalan Pandan Indah 4/6A,
Pandan Indah,
55100 Kuala Lumpur.
E: billiardsdirect@outlook.com
www.billiardsdirect.co
Tel: +60193278957
