Remember life before we were handed our Shelter In Place order? We sent our kids to school, dropped into a coffee shop to get some work done, or maybe we stayed home relishing in the simple pleasure of a clean, quiet home? Ahhh the good ol’ days!

To help us survive our new living conditions, there are countless memes floating around the internet instructing us to lower our standards and “enjoy” the slower pace. I have a problem with this because, yes, permission to slow down is for sure needed, but it’s not realistic long term.

WE ARN’T ON VACATION. Our new state of living requires us to make changes to support our well-being.

If you’re working from home or helping your kids navigate distance learning, you’ve likely tripled the clutter in your house. Homework, uncharged laptops, books, and uncapped markers floating about every conceivable spare surface. An easy way to reduce your stress is to create new systems so everyone can coexist harmoniously under one roof.

We can’t control much of what raises our unease, but we can work on a few things. Let’s start by reducing the disorder in our homes.

Desk In A Box is a simple way to learn how to work from home.  Clutter has been linked to overeating, anxiety, and poorer mental health. A quick google search yields far too many results, but this article from Psychology Today is a good summary. Honestly, you don’t need stats or studies to prove how clutter (mental and otherwise) affects your happiness (or the happiness of your family). You know that feeling of unrest when you walk into your child’s explosion of a room? That’s what we’re talking about and it’s an easy fix.

Organization is like a clean slate. A giant exhale.

I’ve been working from home for what feels like an eternity (especially if you use the SIP clock). What worked for me back in January doesn’t work today so based on my past experiences, I’ve cobbled together a system to accommodate my new needs. I’m astonished at how easy it is. Not only does it reduce my anxiety, but it also helps me avoid overworking (which is a real threat when WFH), and it’s something my kids can easily do (schoolwork or crafts).

Here's how easy it is:

—1 ZONE YOUR HOME

Having designated workspaces keeps everyone on task and moving forward. When your family knows what happens in each area, confusion is reduced and stability is created.

—2 CREATE A DESK IN A BOX

Out of sight out of mind! Any box with a lid will do. I like Bigso Box from the Container Store or Amazon*.

One box holds everything I use regularly (wireless keyboard, headphones, to-do pad, etc…), and the other houses bobbles and bits I might need (notes, books, extra paper).

—3 PUT IT TO USE

Keep your boxes stacked in the zone they’ll be most used in AND train your family to utilize them. If you have to manage everyone’s desk boxes, it’s defeating the purpose of reducing your stress. Specifically, teach your kids how to pack and unpack the boxes to help them be responsible and organized. It’s critical you explain WHY they need to be organized; don’t simply tell them to do it.

Communicate with them to so they better understand the importance of clearing the mess and how it helps put our brains at ease (yours and theirs).  

ADDITIONAL REASONS AND WAYS TO USE A DESK IN A BOX:

It helps set working hours: unpacking the box is the trigger to start your day. Repacking it signals your brain your workday is over. It’s easy to overwork when your office is a visual reminder of all that needs to be done. Pack it up. Put it away.

Increases creativity and productivity: pre-SIP days we could go to different coffee shops or co-working spaces when we hit a wall or needed a change of pace. While we can’t pop into a cafe for a few hours during shelter, we can pack up our desk and move locations easily. Find a few zones inside and outside you can designate as a workspace for when creativity stalls or distractions strikes.

Works during school breaks as well as shelter in place: Use the same concept to help you WFH during school holidays and have your kids do the same for busy crafts and projects.

Organize more than your desk: You know those papers that pile up on the kitchen counter or by the front door? Bills, letters, forms, phone calls to make - anything that needs your attention can be plopped into a box and it removes the dread. Then, block of time once a week to do “home admin.”

Life in near lockdown can be extremely difficult — I’m continually adjusting my sails as we move along and never quite feel like I’ve mastered anything. But knowing I have some control over what we’re doing is comforting. Any time we can reduce the mayhem in one area of our lives, we win.

Let’s box it all up!

P.S. If you found this helpful, I’ve got a Sanity Saver Starter Guide with your name on it! You’ll also get access to ongoing emails to support your life/business balance.

P.P.S. And since we might not be going back to schools in the fall, so let’s nail this down now.

Here are more helpful articles:

👉SAVE YOUR SANITY WHILE YOU SHELTER IN PLACE
👉10 TIPS TO SHELTER IN PLACE WITH KIDS
👉4 WAYS TO EFFECTIVELY WFH DURING ISOLATION & LOCKDOWN 

*Some product links to Amazon are affiliate - meaning I might get a few pennies for the referral. I link to ONLY product I use and actually like. I appreciate any click-throughs and purchases. It helps fund my coffee habit so I can keep producing content for you. 😊