To be honest, my first couple months of working from home didn’t go well. I wasn’t focused, wasted too much time, and felt trapped in my house. But nine months later, I’ve come to love my home office and will most likely have trouble transitioning back. To help you upgrade your own work space, here are my suggestions for gear that will get you cruisinginto (and well past) the new year.
The Mind Journal Jotter ($40)
I’ve always had a notebook formy to-do lists, but I upgraded to this journal because it takes my weekly planning routine up a notch. I still use itto make lists, but an included checklist asks me to think about how I’m feeling each week and then prompts me to write down some larger projects I’d like to tackle, plus a few things I’m grateful for. Those three extra activities take just five minutesbut have a larger cumulative effect that leaves me feeling more grounded and organized.
U-Turn Audio Orbit Plus with Preamp ($379)
This piece of gear has single-handedly transformed my work space. Most important, it’s become the metronome for my day, forcingme to stand up and flip or changethe record every 20 minutes or so. Those little breaks are good for my body and my concentration. It also does a goodjob of setting the mood. I invested in some classic jazz records and love exploring a whole musical genre while I get work done. This model from U-Turn is my go-to because it doesn’t need an amp—it plugs right into your speakers instead—and because it offersgreat sound for the money.
Yeti Rambler 18-Ounce Bottle with Chug Top ($30)
I wasn’t drinking enough water the first few months I was at home. I’d get to the end of the day and have a headache. Now, however, this bottle stays on my kitchen table (a.k.a.my work space) at all times. When it’s sitting there in front of me, I remember to drink and feel much better comefive o’clock. I like the Chug top’s small opening, which iseasy and satisfying to drink from. I’m alsoa fan of the Rambler, because when it’s not getting me through my day, it’s also super functionalfor outdoor adventures.
J.L. Lawson andCo. Event Horizon Spin Coin ($34)
We all need small breaks throughout theday. In addition to changing my records, I’ve also started using to take a quick mental pause. Constructedfrom nearly pure iron, with a ceramic ball as the contact point, it spins for a surprisingly long time and makes for a nice distraction when you’re tired of staring at a computer screen. Two minutes of top spinning leaves me feeling much better than the tenminutes of Instagram scrolling that used to occupy my writing breaks.
Modern Sprout Coastal Fan Palm Hydro Grow Kit ($19)
Plants make any work environment more pleasant.But instead of buying ones that were already established, I wanted the challenge of growing something from seeds. Modern Sprout makes it easy by sending you everything you need, from the seeds to the potto detailed instructions. I chose the , because after a few years and some attention, it will grow into a fairly large indoor plant.
Taylor Stitch the Hardtack Sweater ($248)
This ismy Mr. Rogers sweater. When Iput it on every morning, it signifiesmy transition to work. Made from Yak wool, which is almostas soft as cashmere but significantly more durable, it’s immediately cozy and keeps me warm on cold days when I don’t feel like running the heater. Its thinner weave means it layers well: I wear it undera coat when I walk the dog and will use it as my midlayer while backcountry-skiing this winter. The isn’tcheap, but the pricehas paidfor itself, asit’s easily one of mymost-used pieces of clothing.
Haflinger GZ Slippers ($125)
I’m a big fan of gear that serves multiple purposes. fall into that category:they’re great house shoes that I can also wear outside. The boiled wool keeps my feet comfortable with or without socks, while the rubber soles are thickenough for walking the dog or quick trips to the store. And with medium-high arches, my feet are supportedat all times. Style-wise, they’re a mix between slippers and clogs, so they go with pajamas and jeans alike.