Romanticising Your In-Office Days

You know me. I’ll romanticise just about anything. I’m a big believer that you get back what you put out in the world and, for many years, that has certainly been the case. While I’m not immune to bad days, sad thoughts and those niggly off moments, practicing gratitude and choosing to focus on the positives has transformed my outlook and the way my life seems to pan out. (It isn’t all vision board collages and waiting for your wishlist to arrive at your doorstep.)

Part of my romanticising life ritual is putting a positive spin on my in-office days. I’m a homebody girl through and through, and worked from home for several years before it became briefly mandatory during the pandemic. I find plenty of benefits in going to an office for a few days each week – not least for the structure it offers me and some IRL human interaction – but I do often need a push too.

Here are just some of the ways to romanticise your in-office days and make them feel just as good as your at-home days.

Prepare your ‘fit

I think just about everybody is now accustomed to living predominantly in pyjamas, elevated loungewear or a nice top and joggers. Returning to an office setting felt like a big jump to me. It took me a hot minute to find my personal style again and, really, choosing an outfit is the last thing on anybody’s mind when rushed to leave the house before a commute.

Often I’ll plan an outfit the night before when I’m putting my clothes away or in the laundry. A good outfit has the power to change your mood and attitude, so choose something you’ll feel capable and fierce in. My go-to lately is a blazer, knitted tee and flared trousers – simple and comfy yet effective.

Invest in a great packed lunch kit

My homemade lunch boxes are somehow the envy of the office, and I love preparing them. Not only is it great for saving money spent on meal deals and random lunches out, it also lets you slow down a little and think ahead. I love preparing food from scratch and it’s simple to make a slightly bigger batch at dinner and take some in for lunch. Invest in a set of great lunchboxes too: I love the glass food storage containers from IKEA and the Black+Blum stainless steel leak-proof lunchboxes. Why does food taste better in nice containers and tableware?!

Plan in your Hot Girl Walk

One of my favourite things to do is head out for a lunchtime Hot Girl Walk. I find it so relaxing and refreshing and, as a creative, it also stokes the creative fires. Don’t let this habit slip just because you’re at the office. If anything, it’s even more important and rewarding to pop out, if only for a change of scenery. Find somewhere that’s 20 minutes away and take a book with you for a bonus reading session, then walk back in your lunch hour. Planning the route in advance will make you far more likely to actually go on the walk.

Make plans with friends

Since my office is in London, I like to take advantage of being in the city to make plans with the friends that I’d otherwise rarely see. I mean, I spend enough on my commute already…! Not only is it something lovely to look forward to as you reply to your silly little emails, it really maximises your time. You’d need to eat dinner regardless, so why not eat it at a gorgeous little restaurant and catch up with friends over a drink?

Take yourself on a mini date

On the other hand, you don’t even have to make plans with a friend. Why not make plans with yourself and maximise ‘already being out’? I love heading out for dinner alone: I can order whatever I fancy at whichever restaurant I like, and enjoy it with a book to lose myself in. As I eat a plant-based vegan diet, it’s a great chance for me to eat whatever I want without worrying about making sure there’s something for everybody at the table. Selfishness is self-care too.

Elevate your office tools

Finally, there’s never a bad time to upgrade your equipment. Invest in a new notebook or agenda, treat yourself to the MUJI 0.38 pens and make your in-office desk feel just as luxurious and ‘you’ as your space at home.

How do you romanticise your in-office and working days?