Developing a Telecommute Morning Ritual
Although many people would jump at the idea to work from home, there seems to be a dark side to telecommuting that few people take into account before quitting their corporate job. We’ve explored various ways to cope with loneliness, which basically involves finding ways to connect with the outside world. Sitting in your home office day after day isn’t always fun. While some telecommuters love solitude and are able to thrive under these conditions, others face days that seem to drag on forever.
Most telecommuters are unbound to the hands of time. Yes, they have deadlines. However, a great number of telecommuters make their own schedules. Thus, it’s easy for work at home professionals to fall into a lazy routine. They’ll wake-up late, stay in their pajamas all day, and never leave the house. It’s no wonder that some telecommuters feel lonely and confined.
Work from Home Momma, a blog devoted to WAHM’s, offers great tips on how to remain sane when working from home. Moreover, I’ve discovered that establishing a work from home ritual is a great way to break a boring routine.
Consider this truth: persons who work outside the home have a daily routine. Some take a morning walk, whereas others find time to read the newspaper or make a coffee stop. A few employees even arrive to work a few minutes early, which let’s them unwind before the day starts or talk with co-workers.
Doesn’t it make sense for telecommuters to create a ritual. My daily ritual is simple. I try to wake-up at least 30 minutes before my husband. I’ll grab a cup of coffee or hot tea, get back into bed with the laptop, and use this time to read current headlines or look for freelance opportunities. I might catch the Today Show or other morning news show. And if it’s warm outside, I’ll go for a morning walk or jog. Between 9:30 and 10:00, I’m ready to start work.
work from home, telecommute, freelance, isolation, morning ritual
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Wow, I never thought of ritual that way
My biggest pitfall is getting too busy for anything other than work, so I get in the habit of neglecting fitness. I like your idea of waking up early - I should try that once 
Rituals are and important way of alleviating stress on yourself. Right-brained creative types can have trouble establishing them but even the greatest of artists build good routines.
Creating mind clearing rituals are a favorite of mine. I try to meditate and exercise regularly and I can attest to my lack of productivity when I don’t.
It took me about two weeks to develop a good morning ritual. But once I got into the routine, it became second nature. Also, morning exercise worked wonders for stress and fatigue. I feel more at ease and less tired.