Emily Schuman Shares Her Top 10 Tips For Working From Home

It may seem like a dream come true, but working from home can be incredibly difficult and exhausting. Aside from having to be extra strict on yourself as far as time management goes, you have to be okay with the fact that you interact with fewer people daily and are essentially trapped at home. As someone who took online classes and even freelanced from home, I can attest to the difficulties of working from home, and it looks like I'm not alone, because Emily Schuman of "Cupcakes and Cashmere" has shared her tips with the Fashion Spot. Check them out below!

1. Sure, staying in pajamas sounds more appealing than just about anything else, but it really stops up productivity, so getting dressed in the morning and doing my hair and makeup does wonders for feeling like I’m ready to conquer the day.
   
2. When I first separated where I worked and lived, I couldn’t believe how much more I could get done. I used to work on my bed, crouched over for hours, so not only was it terrible for my neck, but it made it feel like I never truly left the office. Having a new office space helped me differentiate the times when I was working and when I was hanging out at home.
   
3. Even though I work from home, I set specific hours for myself. It’s easy for the lines to get blurred and some of my days would go for 14 hours. Now that I have a designated office, I shut the door when the day ends. It might seem silly, but it reinforces the idea that I’m done with work.
   
4. Working from home can be really restrictive at times, so I always make a point to take a morning walk. It’s also imperative to take small breaks throughout the day to go out and grab a coffee or to read a chapter or two of the book I’m into.
   
5. Because I work for myself, I do lose out on certain perks like access to an employer’s retirement plan or health insurance. It’s really important to implement a plan with those types of benefits to the best of your ability. I also work with a reputable accountant to manage taxes and payroll, so that everything is squared away.
   
6. Just because I work for myself doesn’t mean I am a recluse, which is why I try to schedule a couple of lunch meals out with friends, several meetings, and a nighttime event. Booking these meet ups in advance ensures that I’m out socializing and not just at home from morning till night.
   
7. There’s flexibility in working from home, so I try to remember to take advantage of that. If there’s an afternoon movie I’d like to watch on Friday or some errands I didn’t get to, I’ll just pencil it into my schedule throughout the week. When the work is finished, I get to set my own hours, and that’s really special.
   
8. My favorite way to procrastinate is to meander into the kitchen and pick at snacks. I used to stock chips and candy, but would run through my pile in days. Now, I try to buy healthier options like fruit with cheese, nuts, and flaxseed crackers.
   
9. I’m pretty married to my daily to-do list. I don’t have a boss, so that means that it’s hard to keep track of what needs to get done. I rely on a detailed list and also use a workflow program called Asana that helps keep me accountable.
   
10. When the day is close to ending, I take a quick minute or two to tidy up my work space. I throw away any coffee cups, organize papers and mail and quickly wipe off the surface. It’s nice to come in the next day and feel inspired instead of dejected because of a mess.