Futon Company says: So it looks like WFH (that’s working from home in case you missed the memo) is here to stay – even if just one or two days a week. Which means that for those of us who’ve faffed around this past 18 months or so about whether or not to invest in a proper desk, now REALLY is the time to sort out your work space. Given you might be working here at least one day a week until you retire, it’s surely worth some headspace, right! Cue our favourite space hero Marie Kondo, who this time around is on a mission to sort out our WFH spaces.
Talking in Grazia magazine, the article by Hattie Grisell says: Working from home and tuning out distraction – or coping without colleagues there for company – can take a bit of practice. So it’s perfect timing for the fairy godmother of tidying, Marie Kondo, to return with a new book on work life. The new book, Joy At Work, was written in collaboration with the organisational psychologist Scott Sonenshein. Her chapters focus on tidying your space and thinking about what – to revive her famous catchphrase – sparks joy in your work: Scott’s concentrate on organising your digital life to make it more efficient. All of this contributes to the deeper purpose of the book, Marie explains: The goal is really to get you thinking about what the career is that will spark the most joy for you. How do you want to work?
That may be too big a question to grapple with right now. But getting your new workspace into shape can provide much needed solace, she says. I definitely believe so – just knowing where everything is can be a big factor in your overall efficiency and taking the time to care about what comes into view when you’re working from your desk can really calm your mind. If you’re trying to carve out a new routine, she recommends a ritual to demarcate work time from leisure. As we talk, she produces a crystal and a tuning fork, tings them together and waves the fork around, eyes closed as the sound resonates. Even for one minute, I close my eyes, listen and meditate, and it helps me bring myself into focus before work, she explains (although it can be anything you want). It could be a fragrance or a specific incense that you burn before you start working. Just closing your eyes for a minute can have an effect as well.
Marie believes that tidying up is also unsurprisingly crucial. Try tidying in the Konmari method, by category – so you dedicate one day to sorting out your books, another day for documents, and another for stationary and so forth. Once you have everything that you want to keep in your workspace, make sure you designate a spot for it.
Finally, there’s the fun bit: Add a spark joy item, she recommends. You’re working from home so you can control your environment. Whatever items uplift you and brighten your mood are fine – family photos, flowers, or anything that helps you relax. Adding a personal touch could make our home workspaces better than the office. Let your heart be the guide.
Futon Company concludes: Yet more fabulous insight from the awesome Ms Kondo. We said it at the start of this blog and we’ll say it again: if you still haven’t sorted out your WFH space now’s probably a good time to do it! Whether you’re one of the lucky ones with a designated room or desk to work from or even if you’re working in your bedroom, there’s kit for everyone. The one piece of advice we reinforce time and time again is keep your clutter organised and tidy it away at the end of the day, even if it’s just hiding it under the bed. And as Marie would say, tidy up to spark joy in your WFH space!
