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by cupofpython 1456 days ago
Buy a smart bulb for your WFH desk. Pick a color (example: bright white) that you only use when you are working. you might not notice anything at first, but after a while it really helps with shifting your mentality into or out of work mode very quickly. Very helpful at the start of a busy day, or the end of a rough day.

Source: I did WFH for about 2 years before the pandemic in a 1 bedroom apartment that I shared with someone
2 comments
dgunay 1456 days ago
I did this for sleep hygiene reasons because my office is windowless (the light goes from cool, to warm, to red as the night goes on) and as a side effect I stopped working so late because it was easier to notice "hey, it's 6 pm, I should probably stop for the day".
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cableshaft 1456 days ago
Great idea. I double up my office space for work and for personal projects / hobbies outside of work (same desk and chair, different computers), but didn't consider having a dedicated colored light for it.

I think I'll leave normal lighting for work, but then do a more playful color for hobbies, like purple or blue or red or something. I already have the light even, I just haven't been using it.

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cupofpython 1455 days ago
Something I never got around to setting up that you might find interest in if going for a few different "modes" is using NFC tags / stickers to trigger the light change. So you can have a couple stickers on the wall or w.e and tap you phone to work or hobby or normal and have things change automatically.

going into the phone isnt really a big deal, but I always felt setting up a physical trigger would be way smoother mentally

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shyn3 1456 days ago
Our HR team recommended having an alarm, that plays calming music, which starts 15 minutes before your day ends so you don't stay past your time.
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cableshaft 1455 days ago
Personally, I don't really have an issue with staying late (a little after 5:30 I need to start dinner so it can be ready by 6:30-7:00, I'm kind of a slow cook).

My motivation to try this is more for shifting to hobby mode and being productive when I go back after dinner, as I've been super unproductive after work lately.

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