Tips for Returning to Work after Working from Home

Last month, in quite the whirlwind of events, I returned to full time out-of-the-house work for the first time in 8 years. While Math Man and I had been discussing the possibility of me returning, we didn’t realize it twould happen so soon. But, here we are, and things in our house had to change. That’s why I wanted to share tips for returning to work after working from home.

One of the biggest changes for me was my wardrobe. I had gotten used to soft pants and big shirts (I can blame three successive pregnancies for that) and rarely dressed up to leave the house. When I did, it was with one of very few outfits that were my go-tos. Other than heading to the shops to get myself some professional clothes, I’ve had to rearrange a few other elements of my life.

Morning Routines

At first, I was waking up and running around with no chill to get ready for work. There were kids’ lunches to make, breakfast to be fed, breakfast to be EATEN, a shower, hair, make-up!? It was insane, and I wasn’t walking out the door without feeling completely flustered.

So, I decided to do something completely unlike me: wake up earlier. I know, I know. That doesn’t seem life-altering, but for me it is extremely life altering. I wake up 15 minutes earlier than I was. This gets me up, showered, and drinking coffee before anyone else is up. I (usually) get at least ten minuts of silence to myself, and it has changed my attitude.

I also set up the coffee maker the night before. Those 5 minutes are a life and attitude saver! Plus, there’s not much of anything better than waking up to freshly brewed coffee!

Eating

Working from home meant fewer routined meals. I could get up at any time and grab something from the fridge. This isn’t so easy when I have classes of teenagers staring at me. So, I’ve had to get smart with my food and my planning.

This past weekend, I made breakfast burritos to freeze and then pop out to heat and eat before work. My body has to have a decently balanced breakfast or else it reacts weird throughout the day. The days that I had this breakfast this past week ended up being days where I wasn’t starving well before I could eat lunch.

Setting up for the next day

There’s something about having clothes out and bags packed that makes the morning go a lot simpler. Every day but one, I’ve had my outfit chosen so I can grab and get dressed quickly.

We do the same with our kids. Everyone is asked to choose their outfit so we can have it downstairs and ready for the next morning.

On good days, we’ve even gathered shoes in the chosen locatiton (they typically don’t get there as often as I’d like), and backpacks are set up minus lunches.

I’ve also found that straightening the kitchen and cleaning off the table is a simple but huge step toward making the morning go a lot smoother.

Keeping work at work

For the most part, my goal is to walk out of my classroom and not work on anything work-related until I return the next day. I’ve been mostly successful with this element, and it’s helping me feel less burned out.

I do believe that part of my stress-related physical issues were due to the fact that working at home really means never leaving work. Plus, my kids are loving the fact that when I’m home, I’m just here with them and not telling them that I have phone calls and meetings waiting for me.

Do you have any tips for returning to work after working from home? Share in the comments!

In the meantime, check out these other posts from my bloggy friends. Our theme for September was Wishful Thinking.

Banana Cream Cake from Karen at Baking in a Tornado

Wishful Thinking from Melissa at My Heartfelt Sentiments

Calorie-Free Cake from Dawn at Spatulas on Parade

How a Map Made me Want to Consume the World from Kia at The Ground Beneath my Feet

Spoonful of Wishes from Jules at The Bergham Chronicles

Wishful Thinking? Make it Happen! from Tamara at Part-Time Working Hockey Mom