How to do work when things are messy.
I’ve had some rough weeks—both in my personal life and with everything happening in the world.
But since I live in Amsterdam, and my ridiculously high rent won’t pay itself, I couldn’t just shut my laptop and go pet all the neighborhood cats.
So, I had to come up with ways to make work feel a little more like my happy place—because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from reading way too many productivity books and articles, it’s that feeling good at work makes a huge difference.
I’m not a fan of pretending everything is okay when it’s not—that’s just toxic positivity, but I’m all about finding small tweaks to make work feel like a cozy, safe space whenever I can.
Hopefully, you don’t need these tips, but just in case you do, here’s what’s been helping me:
I try to get myself in a flow. I put my phone in another room, find a comfy spot, pick one task, and break it into tiny steps with a clear goal. Then I set a timer, and when time’s up, I treat myself to something nice. It’s not only great for getting work done, but it also helps me unplug from worries for a bit.
I was skeptical too, but it turns out gratitude works. So I figured that I could adapt it to appreciate that my skills and strengths don’t disappear when things are feeling heavy. Like someone completely unknown once said, “I can do it with a broken heart.” And honestly, that’s something to be proud of.
I make things look cute. If a tidy desk makes us happier, I’m assuming it works for my screen, too. On tough days, I take some extra time to choose pretty covers for my Notion pages. If I’m staring at a screen all day, it might as well be in my favorite colors. It’s like dopamine dressing, but for my laptop.
I do the bare minimum. When I’m not at my best, I suddenly become a pro at prioritizing. I choose just a few priorities for the day, and once they’re done, I give myself a little high-five, close the laptop, and call it a win. Being kind to myself today means I’ll have the energy to do more tomorrow.
Take care everyone.
about the author:
Hi there! I'm Silja, the founder of the wholesome growth club, an inclusive hub for career coaching with a soft spot for introverts and perfectionists. I’m an Amsterdam-based expat, but I love connecting with people worldwide. With a background in recruiting, I know the struggle of crafting a career path that feels truly yours. At the wholesome growth club, we're all about fostering sustainable growth, meaningful engagement, and authentic connections. Our blog is dedicated to making coaching accessible and sharing insights to approach work and life with an extra dose of confidence, slow productivity, and self-compassion. If you are curious to make things happen for yourself, get in touch—we offer personalized coaching journeys that will get you closer to your (dreamy) goals in no time.
