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How To Work From Home And Not Feel Suffocated

Tuesday 28 May 2019



The hardest part about working full time on your blog is working from home. At first when you tell people your working office is your bed/ small office from home it sounds ideal. That is until the motivation drops you haven’t seen anyone in a week and you’re constantly having naps because your bed and dressing gown in just so comfy.

After doing this for over four years I feel like I’m a pro at working at home. Although I still have those days where I can’t help but binge a new Netflix series, but that’s inevitable, that’s just who I am. The most important thing about working from home is to have a great balance. Between working hours and time for yourself.

I’ve found that having a clear working schedule helps keep me motivated and productive whilst after that I hardly even look at Instagram.

Here are a few tips I’ve learnt to practice over the years to help keep me on top of everything.

 Set regular working hours and days and stick to them

 Personally, I like to do a 9-6/9-5. It’s the same hours that all my friends do so I am able to fit in with their working schedules too. It’s also a great way to feel like you’re the same as everyone else. Holding yourself accountable to your working hours helps you really switch off after 6pm.

Find a reason to get out the house 

When I’m not attending events or shooting new outfits, I find it a huge struggle to get out of the house. Although my work can be carried out with a laptop anywhere I much prefer working at home because it’s just so much more comfortable. And then before I know it, it’s been three days since I last left the house and interacted with the outside world. Make sure you head out at least once a day. Whether that be to go to the local coffee shop/ pick up some milk it doesn’t matter. I find my biggest excuse to get out of the house is to visit the post office. There’s always something that needs to be picked up or sent out. But if you can’t find a reason, simply go for a walk around you streets/ local park. Getting fresh air will do you the world of good, and once you get back you’ll be able to get straight back to work with a clear head.

Make your bed get dressed in the morning and have a good breakfast

When I was working a normal 9-5 I always found myself in a rush. Having to get ready, have breakfast, catch the train all to be on work on time was stressful, and I’d end up rushing out the house without making my bed and putting on the first pieces of clothes I could find. Now that I’m not spending hours of my day travelling, I have more time to do these. I can have a proper breakfast, I can make my bed and I get ready for the day ahead. I’m not suggesting you wear a suit and sit at home, but getting out of your pyjamas is a great way to put your mind in the working stage. Get out of super comfy clothes and put something a little more rigid on. I tend to put on a pair of stretch jeans and a top/ jumper on and since doing this, I have noticed that my mind-set has changed and I’m ready to work. Although it’s so easy to stay in your pyjamas all day (I mean they’re super comfy and warm) it’s not a great habit to keep you motivated to work.

Open a window

This one is super simple, but effective. Open a window; get fresh air into the house and you’ll thank yourself you did when it’s time for bed. Having fresh air circulate your home is something that you should constantly do. Especially if you find it hard to actually get out the house.

Take days off.

The great thing about working from home is having the freedom to be able to do what you want when you want. This may sound really counter intuitive considering everything I’ve listed above. But there’s such a thrill that you can take a day off when you want. And sometimes you need it. I like to take days off liberally, and I usually spend these days with my boyfriend, family or friends with babies (as they are usually the only ones off of work). I always make sure that I’ve finished anything urgent before I take these days off and that the next day I make up for it, but it always does wonders to my mental health. Having the chance to just say I need time off is so important.

If you find yourself struggling working at home, I hope these tips work for you as much as they have worked for me. I’d love to hear what you do to stay motivated and sane working from home.  

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Graduating: Six Years On

Tuesday 21 May 2019

wisteria london blogger

wisteria london blogger

wisteria london blogger

wisteria london blogger

wisteria london blogger

This morning as I was scheduling tweets I happened to go all the way back to some of my first blog posts. I went all the way back to May 2013, when I had just handed in my dissertation and had finished university. Thinking back it feels like just yesterday, but it dawned on me that it has actually been six years since then.

So much has happened, so much has changed, yet at the same time, it feels the same. Graduating six years ago I had NO idea what I was going to do. During the course of my degree magazines and newspapers had a huge hit; and studying journalism felt a bit pointless. Where was I going to find a job if there were no outlets anymore?

I had a solution that I didn’t even realise I was one at that point. I had my blog. My small slice of the internet. Little did I know that it would end up being a fully functioning job for me, where I’d get to write about things that I loved and that inspired me.

Graduating from university felt like the be all end all for me. At the time it was all I really wanted. I wanted to make my parents proud, prove to myself that I could do it and I did. But that was the easy part. Studying was so enjoyable for me, I loved learning new skills and meeting new people.

In my life after university, my degree has popped up a few times. Initially when looking for mainstream jobs the mention of a degree gives helped give me a slight upper hand. But what I’ve noticed is that it’s experience that employers are looking for.

If you can show that you have the experience and the right qualifications then there’s no stopping you. I’ve been working on my blog as my main income for over four years now. Six years ago I would have laughed if someone said that that’s what I’ll be doing today. And although my degree has helped me, it’s never been as important in my life as I always thought it would be.

Growing up there was always pressure from family and school to go and study, and although I think it was the perfect thing for me, it’s not an option for everyone and looking back, the job I currently have (running my own blog) I didn’t really need a degree.

The last six years have been a whirlwind. So many ups and downs since graduating. So many things I thought I’d have had and done by now, and so many things I could have never dreamed of have happened. Life after university has been incredible. It’s been challenging, and it’s definitely helped me become the woman I am today.

So for all of you out there graduating this year. Congratulations. You’ve done it. You’ve come this far and you’ve worked so hard for it. But now the real challenge begins. Life really starts once you’ve stopped learning from tutors and books and learn from the people around you and the experiences you will inevitably experience.


Here’s to the next six years. May it be eventful.  



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TERAL ATILAN

TERAL ATILAN