I’ve been working from home for the last 7 years, and if I can have my way, I will never return to employed life. Not because I had horrible bosses or disliked the 9 to 5, but because I like the freedom entrepreneurship grants you.

Still, work from home (WFH) is not all rainbows and unicorns. Like most things in life, it takes time and a lot of trial and error until you learn how to do it right.

I didn’t fully like it at first. There were times when I craved the stability and harmony of employed life, but that only happened because I didn’t know how to separate business from personal life.

My home office is literally next door to my bedroom. And yes, I have days when I work from bed (don’t judge me). How was I supposed to know, fresh out of employment, that, this time, I’d be the one overworking myself?

It took me 2 burnouts to learn that work-life balance is not just a buzzword. But here’s the trick – work-life balance is different for each and every one of us. The time of day when you’re most active, how much you sleep, how you prefer to work, and how you deal with the stress of being a boss, employee, accountant, and many other roles are all specific to your own view on life.

The good news is that we can learn from each other and grow together. As such, I put together a list of the techniques and tips that worked (and still do) for me. So, have a look and choose what you think might also apply to you.

1. Sleep!

Nowadays, I am religious about my sleep routine. Also, I take naps during the day (see why I like WFH?).

But this wasn’t always the case. As a beginner entrepreneur, I fell for the “you’ll sleep when you’re dead” ideology. I also tried waking up at 5:00 am to catch those precious hours of unbothered focused bliss.

Looking back, this may have been the cause of my first burnout. But hey, I had to learn the hard way!

Now I know that a good sleep routine is crucial for your well-being, health, mental clarity, and many, many other things. I try to sleep 8 hours a night, starting at 11 o’clock in the evening. Also, I have a strict policy against devices before bed. If I’m still not sleepy, I like to read, but always something light.

Prior to establishing these rules, when I used to practice revenge bedtime procrastination, I always felt tired and couldn’t focus on work. So, take a step back and analyze your sleep routine.

If there are factors out of your control (such as kids or other commitments), there may not be much you can do about it. But if you’re up binge-watching an entire series in one night, start working on your sleep routine today! It won’t take long before you see results.

2. Daily Walks (Preferably in Nature)

I always knew walks in nature were a great way to relax and reconnect with yourself, but now there’s scientific evidence. Recent studies show that walking in nature helps the brain refocus and keep stress at bay, so I’m currently working on making this a daily habit.

Walking is also great cardio exercise, especially for us WFH folks who only move between the kitchen and the desk all day long.

3. Learn New Stuff

I know. You don’t have the time, motivation, or mood. There’s always an excuse. I had them, too, until a couple of years back, when I decided enough was enough and enrolled in dance lessons.

I still have two left feet and have since moved on from dancing (you have to know when to give up, right?), but I’m left with the experience and a few dance moves to get me out of any tough situation.

It was also a great way to reawaken my curiosity and thirst for knowledge. Plus, it’s a great way to keep the brain up on its toes, especially as we get older. So, if you’ve been putting off going back to school or learning a craft, this is your sign to get started. Don’t wait for the right time – it may never come!

4. Be Social

I’m not going to lie. WFH is socially isolating. There are no superiors to chew you out and no colleagues to meet by the water cooler.

But in the grand scheme of things, how much did these relationships matter to you anyway?

When your work schedule is flexible, it’s easier to reconnect with friends and family members and have more meaningful interactions. Also, you can volunteer (if it’s something you want to do), join a club in the offline world, and find all sorts of ways to meet people face to face.

While being able to spend time with yourself and your thoughts is important, we all need to interact with other people.

For instance, I always feel relaxed and filled with energy after meeting a friend for a cup of tea. We don’t have to discuss anything of major interest; small chit-chat is enough to put me in a better mood for a good while after our meeting.

5. Create Structure in Your Life

When I was an employee, I never thought there would come a day when I’d say having a strict schedule was a good idea. Yet here we are!

Let me be clear – I’m not advocating for strict schedules that don’t make sense to you as an individual. The 9 to 5 may be something that most employees can tolerate, but if your daily energy levels don’t match this schedule, you won’t be a happy camper.

The beauty of being your own boss is that you can take the time to identify your own work rhythm. Test things out and learn how your energy fluctuates throughout the day.

I like to write the most creative pieces in the morning while enjoying the aroma of fresh coffee. Afternoons are reserved for less creative tasks, and evenings are for more relaxing things that don’t require much brain power. I also have breaks scheduled in between these three blocks of time so I can disconnect and check my stress level.

We all need a clear delimitation of our time. Otherwise, it’s easy to fall into negative patterns like overworking yourself, never disconnecting from work or procrastinating.

In Summary

WFH is different for everyone, but if you learn to disconnect and create schedules that work for you, it can be quite a freeing experience. So, give my thoughts a try and see what works.

Her Nexx Chapter invites you to join our free Community where women from around the world are connecting with each other’s stories, exploring different experiences, and transforming ideas.

The Future of Connection for Women