As a featured speaker at Create & Cultivate Digital Summer Camp 2020, Whitney fielded attendee questions on creating boundaries while working from home and managing stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Create & Cultivate is a members-only online platform that brings together over a million women who want to create and cultivate the career of their dreams. Summer Camp is an annual summit hosted by Create & Cultivate that includes panel discussions, workshops, and networking. Whitney was featured during the Mentor Power Hour, where she shared advice with attendees based on her experience as a successful entrepreneur. 

How can I create boundaries between work and home life during COVID-19?

With many people working from home (some for the first time) over the last several months, it’s become increasingly hard to separate “work time” from “home time.” Whitney has heard this sentiment from many of her clients since the start of the pandemic. 

She recommended three things that can make the biggest difference: creating a structured schedule, blocking out time to do things that make you happy, and cutting yourself some slack. 

• Create structure: When you’re working from home and have a lot on your plate, time can meld together and you won’t feel as productive or as rested. Adding structure by blocking out time for doing work and time for doing personal things helps you create boundaries around your time. This helps you feel less overwhelmed.
• Make time for you: Everyone is feeling more stressed with everything going on and with limits on social activity. If you’re not taking time for you, you’ll feel less fulfilled and less relaxed. Carve out time for things that energize you so you don’t burn out and take the time to enjoy them. 
• Cut yourself slack: If you don’t get as much done one day or things don’t go as planned, give yourself a break. Everyone is adjusting to the new normal, and you need to give yourself space. 
  

The last several months have been uniquely challenging for everyone. From balancing work and childcare to figuring out how to work from home with family members or roommates present, days look different than they did before. By creating more structure in your day, you can have more control over your time, which will help decrease stress and frustration. 

How do I relax when I feel overwhelmed?

Feeling overwhelmed and out of control has a negative impact on your productivity and on your overall mental and emotional health. But, it can be hard to make time to relax and do things you enjoy. Whitney stressed the importance of carving out time in your day to focus on doing things that help you find happiness and that give you a chance to recharge. 

Self-care is so important — and it’s different for everyone. Whitney shared a few of her favorite ways to unwind. Before the pandemic, she practiced self-care with regular massages, acupuncture, and binge-watching her favorite TV shows. During the pandemic, she started meditating and found that it helped her sleep better and focus more during the day. 

Whether you’re making time for a workout, meditation, reading, or watching your favorite TV shows, it’s so important to take time for yourself when you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Carve out specific time for these activities on a daily or weekly basis so you can take a step back before things feel out of control. 

Setting boundaries and dedicating time for self-care can be challenging even in the best of times. But, it’s crucial to set limits on your time and create space for activities that energize you and help you relax. By structuring your day, you can make time for work and for fun so you can feel less overwhelmed and out of control. Figure out what self-care activities appeal to you and devote time on a daily or weekly basis to doing the things that recharge you and relieve stress.