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All the Santas are staying home this year, like the rest of us.

I started to write this post as a bit of a gift guide for the hard to buy types (lighting professionals or design folk) in your life. Basically, just making a list of things I would like to see on Christmas morning. But that felt both unrealistic and selfish.  Unrealistic, as I (like many of you) will be spending the holidays alone.  Selfish because this has been a year of extreme loss and stress. And so, I have decided to forgo Christmas altogether and instead celebrate the end of 2020.  Will there be a bit of a gift guide – yes, of course. But it might look a bit different.

There has been a focus on being kind to others this year.  I couldn’t be more pleased that this has happened.  Though, there has been something missing. We have forgotten to be extra kind to ourselves.  And so I would like to suggest some ways where we can celebrate ourselves and the extraordinary year that we have lived through.

Some activities we can do to be kind to ourselves.

Commit to exploring the trails and outdoor spaces in and around the city.  Canada is rich in nature and space. We owe it to ourselves to see as much of it as we can. Being with nature is one of the greatest things we can do for our mental health. And next to COVID preparation, this is an important priority in our lives.

Let go of the expectation that 2021 is going to be any less weird than 2020.  Weird is good. Weird is our future. We don’t want to go back to what we had before that caused our present.  Let’s stop talking about the new normal.  Weird is what we want.

We can start each day slowly and with intention. Take a few extra moments to think about what you would like to accomplish each day while still in bed. And then start the morning.

Explore a new hobby.  I plan to teach myself how to cook for larger gatherings, so when we can celebrate together, I will be prepared to host a feast.  And I think I am going to try to learn how to draw. Not being able to draw anything other than stick figures makes me feel like I am missing out on my best life.

Ask for help. It is difficult to navigate these times alone. Help is available. And it’s non-judgemental, at that.

Supporting local businesses and non-profits in different ways.  We can’t always financially support our communities in ways that we would like – but reaching out to your favourite organizations and them how you can help support them may surprise you.  There are lots of ways that you can show support besides writing a cheque or volunteering a few hours (when volunteer hours are in short supply).

We need to invest in ourselves this year. Invest in your continuing education or certification, work on improving your health, spend an afternoon (or a whole day) at the spa, improve your housing situation – upgrade/downgrade/make improvements/ buy new art to improve your walls.

But do not feel guilty if you are going to self give this year. This area has been a bit of a struggle for me. But I am getting past this hangup.

And so, I present to you:

A bit of a wish list that I would like to gift myself when I deserve them.

•  The Hoptimist from Gustav Ehrenreich would be a comfort to have on my desk right now. I am feeling a bit sad and fatigued while writing this post. If this little creature could launch Denmark’s Happy movement, it should be able to put a smile on my face.
• What Can A Body Do? By Sara Hendren.  The book allows us to rethink the things and settings in which we live. Reading this book will help us understand the challenges that others face and what we can do to make spaces accessible.
• For those of us who want a well-constructed drink – this book is available (soonish – it’s currently out of stock).  If it only came with Stanley Tucci, I would be the happiest girl alive.
• I am a bit plant-obsessed and a not quite yet wannabe foodie. I bet talking to these guys while they are photosynthesizing will make them even more delicious.
• And maybe a new pair of socks. I still have the best sock collection of all the LSW staffers, though.

However you are celebrating the upcoming holidays, please be as kind to yourself as those around you.

Photo by Markus Spiske from Pexels

What does your home office look like?

The makeshift home office is the most used space in our homes right now. I spend more time at my desk than in my bed these days.  And I continually try to improve the function of my very tiny desk.  The workspace subject came up about a month ago, when I got an upgrade on my work computer, and I had to grudgingly reconfigure my office space, which I share with my living room.  And while my boss was extraordinarily patient and carefully considered my needs, I felt momentarily put out and inconvenienced.  It all worked out rather well.  It was frustrating for a  few days while I figured out what my actual needs were. Still working out the kinks, I am happier now than I have ever been with my workspace. While I can’t keep everything I want on top of my desk (most notably missing is some form of lighting).  I have found a format that works for me.

Everything I need is within 4 inches of my laptop. I did mention that my desk is tiny.

Here is what is on the surface of my desk – and why.

Books

• Three journals – yep, three!  1) a journal for some stream of consciousness writing – I write in it every day for 20 minutes; it’s the first thing I do when I get out of bed. 2) A curiosity journal – where I make notes from the networking events I attend, blog ideas, zoom dates with friends, things that I want to think about at a later date.  3) A creative writing journal gives me prompts to help craft stories that need a little coaxing to get out.
• The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron – This book is changing my life.  It’s a 12-week program on reaching higher creativity.  It’s several decades old. I am attempting it for the 5th time, and it will be the first time I will complete it.  It’s hard work, and it’s worth it.
• A workbook for working on work stuff.
• And sometimes a magazine to inspire me.

Everything Else

• A money plant – plant life is energizing and uplifting. I am convinced that this plant will help me manifest more money.
• My preferred fountain pen and ink to refill it
• The Badass button.  When I need some encouragement, or I have done something remarkable, I press that button hard.
• A cup of water.  And a mug of coffee or tea, depending on what time of the day it is.
• A framed piece of art (found leaves collected and pasted by me)
• My work laptop
• a slinky.

I don’t keep a lot on my desk – and all of the items sit in piles, so nothing is in the way to interfere with the tasks I have to do, nor will it clutter my brain. However, I am always looking for a better solution. And one day, when space isn’t such a consideration – I will be coveting one of these desk setups.  I love the vertical monitors – and that Ikea light/speaker is super cool.

My own set up can be better. It could be a little more ergonomic, and I probably should find a way to create a standing desk, but it also doesn’t interfere with my design aesthetic, and for the moment, that is good enough.

Tell me about your ‘at home’ workspace. Is it perfect?  What else do you need?

Like most of the world right now, I work from home.  Which means I have happily given up sitting under lights that are much too bright.  And luckily for me, I have a south-facing exposure, which gives me access to daylight during most of my working hours. Some interesting things have developed regarding my use of lighting, from this switch to remote work life. Sunglasses are no longer a part of my office attire.  I can see just fine without any overhead lighting.  The sunlight that streams through my windows is mostly soft, warm, gentle (almost always), and healing.  And I only use task-oriented lighting (at 2700k) after the sun goes down, and in the winter, that is around 5 pm.

These are the reasons I only use warm lighting.

• It is relaxing for the eyes.  I spend all day working on a computer. The last thing I need when I finish working will be a harsh light.  Warm glow lighting helps me to de-stress and lessen eye strain.
• If I happen to need help reading small print in a dimly lit room (such as a recipe), I will use the torch function on my phone. There are ways around every little problem that occurs.
• Next to candlelight, we humans look best in warm lighting.  The warm colour lessens skin imperfections, and most of us don’t want or need harsh light calling attention to the fact we have dark circles or wrinkles.  Cooler colour temperatures refuse to let us age gracefully. We work hard; we deserve to stay youthful-looking for as long as possible.
• I want my living environment to be cozy. We should all want this. We have to spend a great deal of time in our residences these days, and warm colour temperatures can help us feel safe, secure, and sheltered. Lighting is a great way to help us feel comfortable.

I am not suggesting that we should use the 2700-3000K colour temperatures for every application. There are times when lighting needs to be cooler to keep us alert. Schools are a good example of this. Same with workshops and professional kitchens. Basically, anywhere tools and knives are used.  Or if you live in a part of the world where you get very minimal amounts of daylight each day, go crazy with your cool white or daylight colour temperature lighting. And enjoy those benefits.

For me, I will continue to bask in the glow of the LED imitation of the 60W incandescent lightbulb.

We made it to the end of the week!  And what a week it has been. We have completed our very first week on this blog.  It’s been fun and stressful, and busy, and well, really busy.  So I thought I would end this week with a big of good cheer.  And toast the good work we have all been doing this past while. And since it’s December, I thought we should raise a glass of something warm.  A drink to help us feel cozy and a bit relaxed.  So why don’t you join me in raising a glass of grog to welcome in the weekend?

In case you have never had an occasion to drink this gift from the heavens – here is the basic recipe – feel free to change it up. Add cinnamon or cloves, or oranges.  Whatever you like.  If ginger is not your thing – remove it, and add your preferred spice.

Ginger Grog (the perfect end of the week winter beverage).

4 oz amber rum (or whatever kind of rum you prefer)
6 oz black tea*
1.5 oz ginger syrup (it’s just simple syrup with some crushed ginger – or a lot of crushed ginger).
1/2 oz of maple syrup
dash or two of aromatic bitters
add a bit of citrus zest

*let your tea steep with orange and lemon slices

Combine all of the ingredients.  Put on some music and dance for 1 song. By the time the song is over, the grog will be ready to drink.

Now that you are enjoying your grog- why don’t you join our sales staff for a bit of a catch up on what’s new.

I have been working from home for a long time now. Almost six years, as opposed to the last seven or eight months that everyone else has been doing.  So I have found a bunch of ways that really help.  And a couple that I just recently discovered when the rest of the world moved into their home offices.

What to do when you get up

1. Get started early. Pretend you are going to the office, so do your normal getting ready for work routine. Make your bed, wear actual real clothes (including shoes).

2. Commute.  Actually, leave your house, walk around the block (or even further).  When you come back inside, you will feel like you have entered your workspace.

3. Put on the coffee and look at what your calendar has in store for you.  Make a note of any meetings scheduled so that you won’t be surprised.

Your Space

4. Choose a dedicated workspace. Make sure it’s large enough to fit everything you need.  Keep it organized to maximize productivity. A chair that lets you keep your feet planted on the floor and allows you to sit up straight without overreach or slump will help prevent injury.

5. Access to natural light is optimal. Are you near a window?  Can you reposition yourself to be closer to one?  Keep a glass of water nearby.  Humans are a lot more plant-like than originally thought. We need a good dose of water and sunlight.

6. Use distraction to your advantage.  Please keep it to one distraction.  A kitten.  A load of laundry.  A kid doing homework.  Many distractions are chaos.  One distraction is a motivator.

7. Remind people that they need to respect your work hours. You are not available for neighbours wanting to come over for coffee, or children needing attention (some attention needing is ok), or boyfriends needing help ironing their shirts – they are old enough to do it themselves.  You are at the office., not at home.

8. When work is over, your day is done. Log off and shut down your computer. Get up from your desk, leave the workday behind.  We have boundaries, people!  And they need to be respected.

Productivity

9. Structure your day like you would in the office. Use an online calendar.  You can dictate your schedule. Don’t allow your inbox to dictate what is important.  This one comes with a learning curve.  And one that I am currently working on. But if we allow our inbox to dictate our work activities, not only will you never be able to meet your work goals.  But if you can keep to an agenda + use a to-do list = you will win the day.

10. Save your hardest tasks when your brain works at its highest potential and where you can be the most productive. There is reason to stress yourself out if you need an hour or two for coffee to work its magic; tackle the easiest stuff first.  On the other hand, if you are a morning person and are wide awake as soon as you hop out of bed, take advantage of that energy and hit that hard project.

11. Use a timer or a focus app.  Something that allows you to minimize distraction.  It’s amazing how much time this will save you during the day.  And you will find yourself with an extra hour or two to work on projects that may have been put aside for quite a while.

12. Listen to podcasts. There is something about listening to people working that makes me more productive, and it’s nice actually to learn something new while toiling away.

13. Try to schedule meetings in mid to late mornings or in the afternoons.  This helps coworkers in later time zones to ease into their workday.

Social

14. During videoconferencing, look into the camera and not your coworker’s eyes.

15. Plan online activities with your coworkers to boost morale. But no more meetings.

I have one last tip.  One that I learnt recently.  Communicate with your coworkers, especially your bosses.  They aren’t mindreaders.  If you have a hard time – and it is a genuine possibility that you might be, they won’t know unless they already have established a practice of checking in with you. If you are feeling disillusioned, or not treated fairly, or are bored. They need to know.  They can help you come up with a solution.

**Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels