The good, the messy, and the surprisingly life-changing.

When the pandemic hit and working from home became the new normal, I’ll be honest — I felt like I’d hacked the system. No more crammed trains or sad desk lunches. Just me, a hoodie, my laptop, and all the coffee I could drink.

At first, it felt amazing. But slowly, the novelty gave way to something else — fatigue, restlessness, and a weird sense of floating through the day without any real anchor.

It turns out, working from home isn’t just a lifestyle shift. It’s a mindset shift. And I had to unlearn a lot of bad habits before I found a rhythm that actually worked.

Here’s what helped me — the small tweaks that made a big difference, and the ones I wish I’d figured out sooner.

1. Plan Your Day (Because “Winging It” Is a Trap)

Those early days? Absolute chaos. I’d wake up late, work in bed, eat random snacks at 2 p.m., and wonder why I felt like rubbish by 6.

There was one Tuesday when I realised I hadn’t spoken out loud all day — just scrolled, clicked, typed, and somehow ended up watching YouTube videos about how pencils are made. That was my wake-up call.

Now, every evening before bed, I jot down my plan for the next day. Meetings, yes — but also things like “walk around the block at 11” or “cook something green”. I even schedule scroll time so it doesn’t creep into everything else.

It sounds strict, but oddly, it gives me more freedom. Like having rails on a bridge — they help me move forward instead of veering off into the abyss of snacks and procrastination.

Small but mighty tip: Write down your top 3 non-negotiables each morning. Let everything else be a bonus, not a burden.

2. Make Your Workspace Work For You

At first, I worked from the sofa. I’d curl up with my laptop and feel smug about my blanket burrito lifestyle.

But a few weeks in, my neck hated me. My brain, too. I’d sit down to work and immediately want a nap.

So I claimed a little patch of space by the window — nothing fancy. Just a chair that didn’t ruin my back and a desk that wasn’t my lap. I added a candle, a plant named Fig (he’s still going strong), and a photo that makes me smile.

That space became my “on” switch. When I sat there, my brain knew: it’s time to focus. And when I walked away, I could actually switch off — which, weirdly, was the harder part.

Don’t overthink it: Good light, a comfy chair, and a space that feels yours is enough.

3. Plan Meals (Or Prepare for the Crisps Spiral)

Let me paint a picture: it’s 3:12 p.m., I haven’t eaten anything except toast crusts and the last of the party mix, and now I’m rage-scrolling Deliveroo, wondering how lunch became £19 and a cookie.

I did that more than once.

Eventually, I gave in and became a meal prepper. Not in a militant way — just enough to stop the “what can I eat that isn’t weird cheese and cereal?” panic.

Now, I batch-chop veggies on Sundays, prep a couple of lunch basics, and always keep go-to snacks in reach — rice cakes, hummus, yoghurt, apple slices. The kind of stuff that doesn’t make me crash by 4 p.m.

Game-changer: A snack station. It makes me feel weirdly organised and stops the biscuit raids.

4. Take Breaks Like You Mean It

There was a point where I thought being “always on” meant I was killing it.

Spoiler: I was not.

I’d sit for five hours straight, forget to blink, then wonder why I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. My body ached. My brain felt like soup. My mood? Let’s not even go there.

Now, I build in real breaks — not just scrolling Instagram, but actual pauses. Sometimes I’ll stretch for five minutes. Sometimes I dance around to Lizzo. And yes, sometimes I nap. A glorious, guilt-free 10-minute nap.

One of my friends calls them “micro-moments of sanity”. I love that.

True story: I once did 10 push-ups between meetings just to reset my brain. It worked. (I was also sore for three days. Worth it.)

5. Stay Social (Even If You’re Not Feeling It)

I didn’t realise how much those “Got any lunch plans?” chats mattered until they were gone.

Some days, the silence felt heavy. Like I was drifting through my to-do list in a vacuum. No laughter. No “ugh, same” moments.

Now, I make tiny efforts to stay connected — a meme to a mate, a quick voice note to a colleague, a virtual coffee with a friend. Even just seeing another human’s face on Zoom helps.

One thing that surprised me? Virtual coworking. I’ll hop on a silent call with someone else working, cameras on, mics off. It’s oddly comforting. Like library vibes, but warmer.

Remember this: You’re not meant to do life — or work — alone. Even a small “hey, how’s today going?” can lift the fog.

Final Takeaway: Make It Yours

Working from home isn’t just about staying productive; it’s also about maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It’s about creating a day — and a life — that actually supports you.

One where rest is part of the plan, snacks don’t derail you, and connection isn’t an afterthought.

It’s not about nailing the perfect routine from day one. It’s about noticing what drains you, what lifts you, and adjusting accordingly.

You don’t need to do it all. You need to do what works for you.

And that? That’s more than enough.