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What Does Your Home Office Life Look Like?
By Tiffany | May 10, 2008
How many of you actually get in the car and drive somewhere to do your Internet marketing business? I wake up every day, plop my butt down on my couch, and sip my coffee.
To be honest, this has become a sticker in my marriage for a few reasons, so I’m working on changing that. First, it’s too easy to stick my long hair that my husband loves up in a blob on top of my head. I figure, “Hey! I’m not going anywhere, so why style it?”
Same goes for make-up. My poor Mr. Wonderful would love to see me fixed up more than just on Saturday nights. So I’m making an effort – to clean up myself and pretend I’m going to a corporate gig. I won’t be wearing hose and heels though – a home worker can only give up her perks so much.
Another problem is my – how do I say it nicely? Clutter! My desk is in the living room (it’s a small desk that just fits my computer and a few containers for staplers, pens, etc). I don’t WANT an office. I want my work to be right out here in the middle of my life so I can work and parent and be a wife all at the same time.
But the small space I’ve allowed myself means lots of junk piles up. I print out emails, I have business receipts scattered, file folders stacked up. My Type A hubby doesn’t “get” my creative cluttered self, so I’m trying to get more organized.
Even my dietician is getting onto me to sort out my work life from my home life. I’ve been working from 6 AM to sometimes 1 AM. But I’m less productive when I do that. I procrastinate.
So she’s having me turn off my computer, live a little, and learn that I deserve regular working hours like the rest of America. It’s hard, you know? I’ve built this business and it’s my baby. I want it to grow and thrive and I feel amiss if I’m not tuned into my email or marketing forums.
I have everything I need – a desktop, a laptop, a fax machine, a printer, a thumb drive. What I don’t have sometimes is a life. It’s Saturday right now and I’m working. I’m working again tomorrow – on Mother’s Day.
Wait a sec – maybe I need to rethink that.
Signed,
Workaholic
Topics: Personal Life |
May 11th, 2008 at 2:23 am
Oh my goodness, I’m so glad I’m not the only one!
I live in a `pile’ in the corner of the living room too!!! I’m just getting ready to move back to my own room, though, as I suspect my `pile’ is taking over everyone else’s life rather than blending!
I know I’m gonna miss my desk being in the middle of everything, though.
Happy Mother’s Day to you and all the other mums in the US (in the UK our mother’s day was last month).
Best wishes
Paula Brett
http://www.Paula-Brett.com/blog
May 11th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Oh my friend you are not alone. When I had an 8-5 job my desk was always so neat but no more. My home office is in a separate bedroom. It is filled with sketches, notes and receipts. That being said I have gone to the next level. I have a work station in the living room, breakfast table and on the patio. I’ll blame the laptop on my ever expanding work area. The problem is if I need something it is always somewhere else in the house. What I need some structure. Maybe I should go paperless? What a joke. I use more paper now than I ever have.
However on Mothers day my work station is the backyard BBQ.
Happy Mom’s day.
KJ
May 17th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Hi Tiffany,
You’re singing my tune. My daughter recently informed me that she can’t tell the difference between my PJs and my day attire. (I thought it was obvious)
Since then I’ve been showered, dressed and wearing make-up each day by 7:00 am (I’m an early bird and drink my first coffee by the light of my laptop around 4:00 am). Have to say it feels great!
My office is in the living room too. That’s not going to change. I can’t stand being tucked away in a corner room.
Whatever you are doing, it’s working but more time for yourself and your family can’t be a bad thing.
Thanks for all the great information you impart. You’re the best.
Tate