The Ultimate Guide to Working From Home

Rockford Buzz

Posted On: March 17, 2020

With the news that we should be social isolating as much as possible, most companies are allowing employees to work from home if they’re able to.

We, here at Rockford Buzz, have often been told that we’re lucky we get to work from home during normal times. Well, yes . . . we are. But, it isn’t as easy as it may seem. So now, *cracks knuckles*, I shall impart my knowledge and expertise onto you. If you're not used to working from home, let me help you out.

COFFEE

First and foremost, your choice of coffee is super important. It sets the tone for your entire day. Who has ever had a good day when their first cup of coffee is burnt or made from non-quality beans? None of us.

Here’s what you do – buy your coffee from a local coffee shop. No, I’m not saying you have to leave your house every day to go buy a cup of coffee. I’m sure they would love to see your face every day, but let’s be smart here. You can buy whole beans OR coffee grounds at Meg’s, Wired, and the Roasting Company. This way, you know you are getting the quality goods AND you’re still supporting local*. Win, win, win, win, +10000.

Meg’s Daily Grind

1141 N Alpine Rd

Rockford, Illinois 61114

(815) 316-8785

3885 N. Perryville Rd

Rockford, IL 61114

(815) 639-0909

Wired Café

414 East State St

Rockford IL 61104

(815) 316-2524

Rockford Roasting Company

206 N Main St

Rockford, Illinois 61101

(815) 290-9591

*if you have stumbled across this article and are not from the Rockford, IL region, consult the Google machine for your closest local coffee shop. I’m sure they’re lovely people too. But, we have the best. Sorry, not sorry.

Once you have your beans and/or grounds, your coffee mug selection for the day is the next most important decision.

If you’re like me – you have plain mugs and you have fun mugs. A plain mug is fine if you’re curling up with a book on a Sunday afternoon. In these trying times, you need FUN MUGS!

You’re in luck because I can think of a place in Rockford that's accessible AND staying open – Culture Shock. I am writing this while drinking out of a mug I got at Culture Shock! Again, you can spice up your day by simply having a fun mug AND you’re supporting local in the process. All of the wins!

Culture Shock

2239 Charles St

Rockford, Illinois 61104

(815) 229-2997

Your fave local coffee shop also sells mugs. Mugs with local business names on them ARE fun!

A final note on coffee – if you’re a tea drinker instead, desperate times call for desperate measures. It’s time to switch to coffee now. (Jokes aside – our local coffee shops also have tea, and they’ll be happy to hook you up. Just call ahead!)

LISTENING

Depending on your type of work, it’s nice to have things playing in the background. I prefer music or podcasts, so that’s what I'll recommend. You happen to be in luck here, too. We have some incredible local* bands that can get you through the day. And some local podcasters - us included. Not that I'm bragging.

Lone Canary

Name the Moon

Quilt Club

Espinosa and Coffey

Go Go Torpedo

Mana Kintorso

Miles Nielsen

Mono In Stereo

Taboo Blah Blah

Podcasts

Rockford Buzz: The Podcast

From Center Ice

Ghost Freak’n Talk’n

Weird Darkness

*Again, if you’ve stumbled across this and aren’t from Rockford, these folks aren’t local to you. But, that’s what the Internet is for. Listen to them anyway.

BOOZE

Need I say more? The days can drag on and get monotonous. Here are some local places you can get some booze for your afternoons/evenings. Don’t go too crazy (at least while you’re still working!)

Artale Wine Co.

6876 Spring Creek Road #128

Rockford, Illinois 61114

(815) 877-9463

Carlyle Brewing Co.

215 E State St

Rockford, Illinois 61104

(815) 963-2739

Prairie Street Brewing Co.

200 Prairie St.

Rockford, Illinois 61107

(815) 277-9427

TECH ISSUES

Even the biggest technology nerds among us have technical difficulties. Trying to work from home through that just isn't going to happen without smashing your head into a wall repeatedly. PC Tech 2U is OPEN and ready to help you!

PC Tech 2U

1654 N Alpine Rd

Rockford, Illinois 61107

(815) 871-2470

Now that we have a list of some local places you can support while working from home, I’ll give you some other tips!

GET DRESSED

It’s entirely too tempting to stay in your PJs if you don’t have to leave the house. Here’s the downside: your motivation will match your outfit. You can get lazy when you are in your comfy sweats and large shirts. I’m not saying you have to put on a full suit or a full face of makeup (Although, if you want to – more props to you!). Put on a pair of pants other than your PJ pants and a shirt that you didn’t sleep in. Sometimes I even put shoes on. You’ll figure out your perfect work from home outfit!

EAT YOUR MEALS

I sometimes just plain forget to eat my meals. You can get caught up in work and all of a sudden it’s 9:00 pm and all you’ve eaten all day is a cookie (adulting – woohoo!). Time does not exist when you work from home. Some of you may still have to clock in and clock out. But, time does not exist. It’s a myth. Do your best to get your 2 or 3 meals in per day – however many you normally would. We’re all different here.

SNACKS

Yes, it's very tempting to snack all day while you’re home. You have full access to your kitchen and the day can get boring. DON’T. DO. IT! Some snacks are perfectly fine, of course. If you find yourself purely snacking out of boredom, you’ll feel miserable at night and then wonder where all of your food went. My recent cure for this is eating oranges or the small Cuties. You have to put the work into eating them by taking the peel off. If you feel better after eating it - great! You probably just needed something else to do instead of work. If you're still feeling hungry, allow yourself another small snack.

WALK

When you start wearing down, get up and take a walk around the house. It’ll wake you up, give your eyes a reset, and let your brain hit the restart button. You may even come up with a brilliant idea to get to work on when you sit back down. If you don't mind the weather, walking outside is even better.

IGNORE THE CHORES

“I would really love to get this article written, but that pile of laundry is STARING at me and JUDGING me . . . I can feel it . . . my clothes now have eyes . . . and they won’t stop staring at me!”

No, your clothes don’t have eyes. They don’t have feelings. They’ll be perfectly fine until you finish your work for the day. They would be there if you were at your place of work. This is no different except you can see them. IGNORE THEM*!

*note: it is okay to take a BREAK to get something done. Don’t let it derail your day.

BREATHE

This is a reminder we all need. Things will be okay. Just breathe. (I can't take the credit for this one. Credit goes to someone in my own life who had to remind me to do this yesterday).

There you have it! I hope this has been helpful. If you have any other tips, we would love to hear them. You can comment on Facebook or message us on Instagram!

If you enjoy positive news about Rockford and don't have our mobile app yet, it's free on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Also consider becoming a Rockford Buzz Backer and supporting our mission to change the narrative around Rockford!