Needless to say, work can be stressful as can live.
Luckily, motherhood is likely more stressful. I say luckily because, in comparison to screaming children, cooking, cleaning, laundry, pulling siblings apart, picking up toys, stepping on the same toys that were just picked up, etc, etc, etc...work can seem like a breeze.
I’m a mom. The spa is like a distant dream at times. On the same note: self-care is essential. Working mothers fitting self-care into their day are not only doing themselves a favor but also doing their families, colleagues, friends, and family a favor.
A physician’s assistant and an occupational therapist suggested that I make my workspace a spa. Why not? I work at a desk in a community area that is mostly quiet and I have the opportunity to do so with minimal money spent. Here are some ways I turn my office time into spa time: thanks to a few added aesthetics and resources.
Minimalist Work-space
I have a small desk with no drawer space. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me. All those things I used to waste space with are gone. I take all my notes on my smartphone. I rely exclusively on my electronics of collateral, I PDF and email all my collaboration and I keep as little as possible on my desk. Even then I feel I might have more on my desk than I actually need.
My desk includes a pencil holder with a few pens, a sharpie, and a highlighter. The highlighter is overkill in my humble opinion.
I push all my wires behind the desk. My headphones are hung from an existing metallic arm holding up one of my expanded monitors and I still have a little room for my coffee cup and my morning fruit choice.
Decorations
In the beginning, I had a lot of little nick back decorations back in the ancient days of cubes. I even had a live beta to keep me company.
One live object is ok: a plant or a small fish in a small simple fish bowl is ok. I recommend a single succulent for a plant choice.
One art project per child can be placed on the walls: strategically and with plenty of distance in between each one. If your child has awed you with their latest work: I suggest switching out the art so as to not clutter the wall.
I keep a 2-inch x 3-inch Japanese zen garden on my desk. Alway with the stones placed intricately in and out of the small garden box. This is both a relaxing activity to arrange and periodically rearrange; and an aesthetically pleasing decoration.
Soothing Music
One of the many wonderful things about smartphones: is that smartphones offer many wonderful things. One includes a barrage of music apps that offer free or inexpensive music streaming. Some of these stations are perfect relaxing music for work and can be played at such a low volume that only I am enjoying the light tunes. Some choices for me are classical, spa, the 40s, and meditation music. iTunes offered a lot of free radio stations years ago that included an eclectic Mediterranean playlist. I prefer instrumental music for peaked focus. I also prefer something slow-paced to keep me grounded. These stations set a more professional tone than rock, house hip-hop.
No Thanks
I stay away from posed photographs because it feels like someone is staring at me: posed photographs are usually unnatural and frankly: I will see everyone when I get home. Framed photos take up space and I don’t like the idea of distracting my colleagues as well as myself with a school picture of my 4-year-old.
Now I have a desk I enjoy working at and the only distraction includes me talking to myself out loud during certain times of the day. During this time it may be a good idea to check my playlist and switch back to ‘spa’ if I have not all ready.
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