Hello and I hope that this final week of 2020 is restful and easeful for you. I just made a cup of ginger tea and sat down to do some work. I found myself opening the browser tab to my blog and wanting to write some words.
HOME OFFICE
I’ll start by sharing that I didn’t realize how much not having a dedicated workspace was impacting my productivity. During the first showing of my new house, there was a room upstairs that I knew would be perfect for my office. I loved the size of it, the view into the back yard and the natural light. Well, fast-forward four months and I finally have the office set up and operational. Things were so chaotic and there was so much to do when I first moved in that the office felt low on the priority list.
When I got serious about the office I faced a couple of hurdles. First was my indecisiveness. I wanted to make my office space something more special and a place where I would feel peaceful, productive and inspired. I could NOT decide what direction I wanted to go in with office furniture and decor. I don’t want to admit how many hours I spent pouring over options from West Elm, Room & Board, Crate & Barrel, Wayfair, All Modern, Arhaus and Pottery Barn. I think I had the office offerings memorized!
When I finally did order my office furniture, the desk and chair were on backorder and I had to wait a couple of months for them be delivered. As a result, the kitchen island is where 95% of my work was being done until about two weeks ago. I can really work anywhere but I do my best work when I am in a familiar space that I mentally associate with work mode. It’s also a game changer because I have a door that can close if Finn is here with his nanny. We can all stay out of each other’s way.
I am SO HAPPY to be sitting at my desk with my dual monitors and comfy office chair as I write this post! I guess I shared all of that because I know how many of you are working from home right now. I have a little bit more to do in the way of hanging art, getting window coverings and picking out an area rug for under my desk but at least the office is operational now! I’m not ready to do a reveal quite yet but once I get those last pieces in place, I will certainly share photos!
2021 GOALS
While I was teaching yoga yesterday I was thinking a lot about how my messaging to my classes this time of year is usually so focused on growth and goals for the new year. The thing that kept coming up for me as I turned this over in my mind was that there was no way that I could say to the students in my class that who they are and what they are doing right now is not enough.
I am 100% a growth mindset type of person but I think 2020 was a year that pushed so many people to their edges in so many different ways. No one gave us a guidebook on how to navigate a global pandemic and I fully believe that making it through the challenges that this year presented is something that we should all be really proud of.
I don’t think that many of us can say that we were at our best mentally, physically or emotionally in 2020 but that doesn’t mean that we need to be fixed in 2021. We just need to keep remembering that we are human and that keeping our hearts open, choosing kindness and showing ourselves grace and compassion is the best thing we can do.
I really thought that 2020 was going to be *my year.* The new decade felt like an incredible opportunity to leave so much behind and to step into new possibilities. Instead, I found myself saying “WT actual F” a few months into the year. Despite its numerous low points, 2020 also brought me many blessings, growth and new beginnings. I am entering 2021 feeling a little beat down but also extremely optimistic. My plan is to stay open to whatever course the year might take. I commit to listening to my intuition, releasing control whenever possible, prioritizing my career and financial stability, moving my body in ways that feel good and nurturing relationships with loved ones. I am not attached to what those things look like. <3
And that’s all for today. Finn is taking an epically long nap which does not happen often these days so I’m off to check on him.
QUESTIONS
Do you work from home or have you been during the pandemic? What is your home office set up? What helps you to stay focused and productive when you’re working from home?
How are you feeling about 2021 vision and goal setting?
I work from home full-time because I recently moved from the U.S. to Europe and am allowed to do my job remotely. I set up an office with a standing desk, a big monitor, and all the desk accessories to make it feel like I’m “at work”. This has made a HUGE difference in my ability to focus. I know that when I’m at my desk, I’m at work. Having this dedicated space for me and my work means everything to me. I know I couldn’t be as focused working off a laptop on the couch.
And it was so nice to read what you wrote about goals. I am one of the biggest goal-setters I know and am always trying to improve myself, things around me, etc. Just yesterday I decided that I wouldn’t set a single goal for the new year. I just want to be me and embrace all that comes to me, and deal with it in the best way possible. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to continue to learn and do great things, but I’m not putting pressure on myself to “achieve” a goal.
I wish you a healthy and cheerful 2021, Jen. Thank you for sharing all that you do.
Joy – I couldn’t agree more with the proper set up making it feel like work and helping you focus!
I love what you shared about your 2021 focus. We are aligned! Happy New Year! It’s always wonderful to connect with you. <3
Also – where in Europe did you move? Was it work-related? That’s a big relocation and change! How are you feeling about it?
I have been working from home since March 2020, and my set-up is awful, esp. in comparison to what I had in my office. I sit at a small rolling desk, in a so-so chair, and work on a laptop in a spare bedroom. (In contrast, my real office has an ergonomically correct set-up with three monitors and a separate keyboard and mouse.)
I have never really considered creating a better workspace at home. . . probably because I am in denial and want to get back to working in my office? (I’m not a fan of working from home, for several reasons.) I don’t know. I think that’s part of it, and another part is lacking the physical and mental energy to create a better space.
Hi Sharon – I’m sorry to hear that you are struggling with your work from home set up. I totally get how you would prefer to be in the office and I hope that it happens for you sooner rather than later!
Thanks for sharing your words about 2020 and 2021. You are so encouraging and uplifting with the way you seem to think and process what’s happening and I am glad you share them on your blog!
You’re welcome, Heather. I really appreciate your kind words.
I keep coming back and reading your words about goal setting. I finally read them out loud to my husband and it started a great conversation. I am usually a goal setter, but I feel no pressure to improve in any area of my life right now. I am just proud of myself for making it through and hope and pray I can continue to sustain it. I loved your thoughts here! Thank you so much for sharing them. They were very encouraging and affirming.
Hi Sarah – I’m grateful to read that what I shared resonated with you and helped you with conversation/processing/accepting. I couldn’t agree with you more that taking it day by day and making it through the days that we are currently living is something to be proud of. <3
This resonated with me SO much.
Love that your goals are around intuition and releasing control. Reading this felt like a deep cleansing breath. <3