Why You Need Separation Between Working and Living Space [And How to Create It]

Chelle Peterson
working on laptop in bed with coffee in one hand

Modern work has become a sort of “always on, always accessible” endeavour. And it’s taking a toll on people. That’s one of the big reasons why Portugal just passed a law making it illegal for bosses to contact employees by text or email after their contracted work hours. 

But it’s not just about contact with colleagues or clients. Working remotely or working from home can also make it exceptionally difficult to “disconnect.” 

Think about it: when you go to an office, you have a commute that gives you a physical and mental separation between home and work. But you lack that when working from home because your living space is your working space and vice versa. 

So, while the U.S.government hasn’t yet passed laws that allow you to log off completely, you can take matters into your own hands and find ways to create separation between work and home.

Here’s how. 

Create a Complete Separate Workspace

home office set up

This is a basic tip, but you need complete physical separation between your workspace and your living space if you want any hope of being able to disconnect.

This means having a workspace where all you do is work. You don’t relax there. You don’t work out there. You don’t hang out there.

It also means not having your workspace set up in your living room or kitchen but rather in a whole other room where you can shut the door.

If you live in a condo or don’t have an extra room, do your best to make it so you can tuck your workspace away when the day is done. Or, consider an alternative option like a flexible office space

Set a “Log Off Time” Each Night

working in bedroom

While you’re bound to have to work late every now and then, try to determine a set time each night when you’ll log off for the day.

That means no checking emails, no taking work calls or texts, no responding to Slack messages. Nothing.

This doesn’t have to be strictly at 5 o’clock. Everyone works different hours. Just know when is best for you and do your best to abide by it. 

That way, you’ll be able to create some time to be relaxing at home rather than just working at home. 

Take Time Management Seriously 

top view of woman working on laptop

Part of being able to log off at a set time each night is your ability to manage your time effectively. Doing so allows you to work more predictably and efficiently so that you can stay on track and wrap up when you want to. 

Luckily, there are a ton of time management techniques and tools you can use, including: 

  • The Pomodoro Technique
  • The Pareto Principle
  • The 4D System

By becoming a master of your time, you can take control over your day. 

Implement a “No Phone” Policy After Hours

iphone turned over on table

If you really want to disconnect, try implementing a no-phone policy after work hours. This is often easier said than done, but it can go a long way in letting you relax at home without having your mind wander to work.

You can also consider getting a separate phone for work so that you can still use your personal one without worrying about getting pinged by emails or notifications.

Take Meetings In-Person When Possible

casual coffee shop meeting

As we begin to recover from the pandemic, you can create some space between work and home by getting out of the house to take meetings.

For instance, visiting one of Tucson’s best lunch spots for a meeting with a customer can give you a good excuse to get up, get dressed in business attire, and leave the home office for a while. 

Or, you can consider renting out a professional meeting room to help ensure you look professional and that your meeting is productive—neither of which would be likely meeting at your home office. 

Get a Workspace Away from Home

working in a co-working space

The most obvious and effective way to create separation between your workspace and home is to simply get an office elsewhere. There are a ton of benefits to escaping your home office each week. And while an office might seem like an expensive undertaking, the cost of coworking is way cheaper than a traditional office. 

And, even if you don’t want or need a full-time office or don’t have the budget to afford one, the option of even working a few hours a week in a part-time private office will do some good as far as separating your home away from work.

Have a Log-On and Log-Off Routine 

woman sitting on the carpet while working

In addition to having a time when you log on and log off, it’s also wise to have a routine.

Why?

Because, when you work at an office, you have very defined routines that help you get into or out of work mode.

In the morning, this could include getting up early, getting dressed, and going to the office. On the way home, this could be packing up your work stuff, commuting home, or stopping to meet a friend for one of Tucson’s best happy hours.

The same applies to working from home: find a routine that works and use it to create some separation from work and home. This could even be something like taking a 15-minute walk before and after work to get some fresh air and simulate the feeling of a commute that gives you time to unwind between leaving work and getting home for the evening.  

Allot a Specific Amount of Time for Work Chat

taking a business call during work hours

Everyone likes to decompress about their workday, but if you let it drag on too long when you get home, it can make it feel like work never really ends.

Try setting a predetermined amount of time with your friends, spouse, significant others, roommates—whoever it may be—to talk shop after work, but then cut it off and move on to other things. 

At the end of the day, there are all kinds of professions who would benefit from getting away from their home office and creating some separation between work and life. If this sounds like you, then a flexible office space like The Post might be for you. 


To learn more about how flexible office space can help create vital separation between your living and working spaces, get in touch with us today. Our team is available to speak with you.