It sounds obvious, but hear me out. It’s not enough to set up a home office for your freelance career. You need a comfortable space that will encourage you to work.
As a freelancer, the more you work, the more money you make. The longer you can stay at your desk, the more work you can do (thus, the money). That’s why it’s so important to create the most comfortable, productive workspace for your freelance work.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Desk height: For maximum comfort, your elbows should be at 90-degree angles, so it’s important to find the right height desk. Too high or too low will put strain on your arms and joints. That leads to pain, which gives you an excuse to leave your desk.
- Chair height: You’ll also be the most comfortable if your knees are at a 90-degree angle when sitting at your desk. You mean I have to match my chair to my desk? That’ll take forever. Don’t freak out yet! Err on the side of too tall; you can always get yourself a foot rest to elevate your feet.
- Computer monitor: Laptops are convenient for traveling but not everyday use—looking down/hunching over is hard on your neck and shoulders. Instead, you want your monitor to be at eye level. You can still use your laptop, just put it on a riser to get the right height. That actually leads us to the next consideration…
- Ergonomic keyboard and mouse: If you elevate your laptop, you’ll need an external keyboard and mouse, but don’t settle for any keyboard and mouse. Check out the different types of ergonomic options (some of which are more drastic than others). They take a week or two to get used to, but they’re worth it when your wrists and forearms stop hurting.
- Atmosphere: After you’ve made yourself physically comfortable, take care of your mental and emotional comfort by creating a space you want to stay in. For example, I love light, bright spaces so my office has windows and light blue paint on the walls. If my office was enclosed and dark, I wouldn’t want to stay there.
Creating a comfortable work environment won’t make the freelance life easier, but it will make it easier for you to spend time at your desk doing the work.
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