By Natalie Ferguson

(With a background in retail and a love for wellness, travel, and the outdoors, Natalie Ferguson joined Alabama Outdoors in 2016. The Denver, Colo., native enjoys exploring Alabama, especially the nearby rivers where she can fly fish. But she does miss the ski slopes! “My go-to WFH outfit is the Vuori women’s performance joggers and the Free Fly women’s bamboo midweight long-sleeve shirt. They are like butter!”

Most of us have been enduring this new WFH (work-from-home) lifestyle for almost a month now. 

WEEK ONE: You’re thinking “This is great! I have so much extra time! No commute. No need for a shower. I can get up and get to work, no pressure.”
WEEK TWO: “OK, I have this down. I feel good about how well I have transitioned.”
WEEK THREE: “Yes, I know I’ve worn this shirt for four of the past five days, but so what? Besides, what do you know? You’re a dog.” 

If you dipped into the WFH funk in the past week, don’t worry, you aren’t alone. If you find comfort in a 2-day-old stained sweatshirt and feel distracted and uninspired during virtual meetings, it’s time to reset your WFH game.

It’s OK, though, we are here to help you get back on track and give you some tips to regain focus in all of this! Spoiler alert: Your mood is tied to your surroundings and how you feel about your appearance. Dress for success still makes sense even when you are stuck at home.

Make a WFH space and routine

Depending on what your work-from-home space options are, make sure to either designate your WFH space or create a new office space that will help you be productive. A designated work area saves time because you don’t have to set up your “office” every day. And, when your workday ends, you can “leave” your workspace and unplug.

Also, try to maintain a schedule that resembles — as much as possible considering the circumstances — your typical workday to help keep you on track. Set an alarm to get your day going at the same time each day. Eat breakfast to give you the energy you need. Make sure to take a lunch break. Set both work and personal goals for the day to help fuel your motivation.  And don’t forget to get some fresh air throughout the day, even if it is for a quick stretch.

Cross-functional clothing is a must

This one is a true game-changer. I know we are all tempted to wear our pajamas, at least on the bottom.  However, making yourself presentable — taking a shower, fixing your hair, wearing clothes that work on video calls as well as dog walks — will make you more positive and productive. 

Try to dress for whatever your day may hold. From morning meetings to midday exercise to dinner prep and even a sunset run, you can do it all with a well-planned, functional outfit.

Ladies, that means your favorite yoga pants could be in heavy rotation. Pair yoga pants or joggers with a solid top for a comfortable, appropriate Zoom conference call wardrobe. Just throw on a cardigan or scarf to dress it up. Look at that, you’re already set for midday yoga, so no excuses! 

Guys should follow the same logic for WFH clothing. Find a solid color tee-shirt suitable for working out, then throw on a short-sleeved collared shirt to dress it up. Pair it with some shorts and running shoes and you are ready for whatever the day brings.

Pro tip: Start by choosing your bottoms and footwear based on your exercise of choice and other activities. Mid-day yoga, throw on leggings and stay in your bare feet! Planning an afternoon run, be ready with your running shorts and running shoes. 

Set WFH boundaries

Everyone has different lifestyles and work/study habits, so find what strategies work best for you and, if you need to, communicate them with your quarantine crew or your remote coworkers. 

Talking openly about what you need to in order to function well helps open dialogue about expectations, ground rules, and boundaries. This is especially true if you are at home with others.

Finally, try to give yourself, your quarantine crew, and your coworkers some grace as we all navigate these unusual times. Take a breath before you react, try to be mindful of the importance of communication, and be willing to forgive misunderstandings.

You may end up feeling more connected to people in your life despite the physical distance.

Refresh your work-from-home wardrobe at Alabama Outdoors! We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors, and we work to build loyalty one connection at a time. Take advantage of our shipping, curbside pickup, or home delivery services or make an appointment for a virtual shopping trip today! #BeOutdoors