Working from home has re-shaped our lives and work habits.

I was working at Curaleaf (then Greenhouse) in 2019. I remember working reception with sometimes hours without work reading news articles and sharing memes on Facebook. We all started seeing news reports of COVID-19 spreading through the world and government’s scarmbling to get it contained by entering lockdowns.

Being that Curaleaf was deemed an essential business due to it’s Medical Cannabis Program, I did not experience working from home. I still went to work daily and wore masks, wiping down every single surface with cleaner around the clock. It was madness.

It was madness.

I was lucky to have a partner with an opposite shift to help with the e-learning schedule we were moved to. My youngest ended pre-K with a Socially Distanced mini- grad ceremony and began Kindergarten at home in front of a chrome book. I did not want my son sitting in an empty house with a screen for 6 hours a day just to get off and do nothing as no extracurriculars or close-play areas were open. I needed to be home with my son. I needed to find work from home.

My former co-worker and mentor Kenni from my job as a Union Pension Rep messaged me out of the blue asking how I got my job at the dispensary since her daughter was looking. I worked at ZAS for around 3 years before I left to explore the Cannabis Industry. I enjoyed my work at ZAS but I was seeking something more physically demanding when I left in 2019. My lower back and arms were suffering from sitting and typing 10 hours a day. I needed to get my butt up and the Member Services job at Curaleaf made sure I was always walking and standing. Between weed tips and stories about how customers are all the same, she mentioned they were working from home since the lockdowns.
“Lucky!”
“You should apply, JB* is great! He’s the new manager and you’ll love him.”

I immediately applied and I was hired. I was gonna be working from home!!

But I had NO IDEA WHAT TO DO! Computer? I would get a computer from work, but is my internet up to speed? Where was I going to set up? Was it going to be quiet enough? Will I have to video call?

I quickly learned how easy it actually was. I trained a few weeks from the office and then was allowed my 100% remote schedule for a first Monday start. I was provided a monitor and stipend for my internet service. All I had to do was call IT the morning of and they would walk me through set up. I entered the group chat and thus began my life as a work from home mom.

Now I can go on and on and link to various articles about how beneficial it is to work from home. It removes the 2 hour commute each day. It saves you time primping and priming yourself although studies say you should do it anyway… whatever. It reduces stress of picking out an outfit and getting a breakfast ready in the morning.

But I could also talk about how it affects your mental health, it can feel incredibly isolating, and can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle according to the National Library of Medicine.

However you look at it, Work From Home shifted our mindset around work-life balance, productivity in the workplace, and even how we view house work. The point is, work from home is a lifestyle change. It is not a pick up a laptop and you have an office type of job. Most Work from Home jobs take a tremendous amount of effort. I wish I had a list to help me prepare for a Home Office. So….

Here’s my list of Ways to make sure Home Office Set Up is productive, fabulous, and overall successful:

1. DESK
   Your desk will be your work hub. You need to have it well organized with plenty of room for your keyboard, monitor(s), and notes. Check out this ErGear Height Adjustable Electric Standing Desk to help you maintain your correct desk height, and save your favorite settings to smoothly switch between sitting and standing.
   

2. Good Chair
A good office chair will make all the difference in your posture and overall back health. Sitting for extended periods can lead to disc problems, tension, and inflammation. Invest in a ergonomic office chair like a Serta High Lumbar Support Office Chair with contoured lumbar zone support to provide extra lower-back support

3. Good Setup
You need a good keyboard, monitor, and mouse. When I started working, I used the standard issue equipment that came with my 2009 (Stop laughing pls) Dell. I realized how different ergonomic accesories are to standard use and upgraded. It is worth it to pay a bit extra for good accesories so they not only last longer, but help you stay efficient without pain and other issues.

4. Cute Desk Accessories
Starting a new job is like a starting a new locker. The first day you load up on what you need, like your work materials and packets, then you can make your area your own. Setting up pictures, your writing utensils, and cork boards are a must to maintain an organized work from home area. The GIANOTTER 4 Tier Organizer in Rose Gold is the perfect luxe look for your desk.

You may also need pushpins and a corkboard for notes. I like these Clear Monitor Screen Attachments from Zonon to help keep reminderrs and stickies up.

5. File Cabinets
As you start to get into your routine, you will have work you will need to save and you need to have it stored. Some employers may require you to safely store sensitive information in lock safe cabinets. I like the 2 Drawer Pink Metal Cabinet by SteeLoong. It adds a touch of femininity with the right amount of confidentiality.

6. Router
Although most employers will provide a stipend for home internet, they may not give you credit towards your router or modem. It is up to you to find the best one for your overall needs. You may even need to have a separate account per your employer needs.

7. Gym Membership, Hobby, Reading, Therapy, Cooking- Stay Social!
I cannot STRESS this enough! Seek. social. connections. I maintain a lot of my sanity through my work with SESH City through Cannabis Education and Events. I attend events posted up by my friends over at High Focus Media. I love cooking new recipes and trying new restaurants all over Chicago through various food review accounts on Instagram and Tik Tok.