By Mich Lagdameo
Whether you work from home or head out to an office on the daily, moms take on the challenge of being a #girlboss every day. There’s always something on your mind and something else that needs to be done, and it can get overwhelming! Try decorating your desk with these accents. Here’s a secret: They do more than just add a little aesthetic to your working space, and you’d do well to welcome them to your working environment, asap!
An adorable potted succulent
More than just being pretty (and trendy), having a small potted succulent supplies two tried-and-true productivity hacks: Keeping a reminder of nature nearby, and decorating your desk with a hint of green—long believed to be the best color to soothe your senses and reduce stress. And in a sea of plastic and chrome, a happy little living thing is sure to stand out and make you smile every day.
A nicely-framed family photo (or three)
Why not have a constant reminder of the reason you do it all? Photos of precious memories—your wedding day, your child’s birthday party, that special trip to the beach—are sure to fluff up your flagging spirits during a particularly tough day, and it makes you all the more game to get stuff done so you can come home to their eager embraces.
A cute kitchen timer
If you’ve taken a spin around the housewares department lately, you’ve surely come across all cute and kitschy kitchen timers for sale. Here’s why you should buy one, not for your kitchen, but for your work desk: Studies have shown that keeping time at work increases your productivity, because you are forced to focus on the tasks at hand (no mindless scrolling through Facebook!). Try setting the timer for 20 or 25 minutes and do a solid chunk of work, and when the timer goes off, you get a 5-minute rest. You might be surprised at how much you can accomplish in 20 minutes!
A pretty mug or drinking glass
More than a nice display, a beautiful drinking glass or mug serves an important function: Keeping you hydrated! Not drinking enough water while working will make you sluggish and less focused. Make it a habit to keep sipping while you work, and when your cup is empty, standing up for a refill is a good way to stretch your legs.
A scented candle or aroma diffuser
Of course, you have to be extra careful with a fire hazard. But if you are able to, placing a dainty diffuser or well-secured scented candle on your desk is another great way to perk you up throughout the busy work day. Minty aromas will help clear your mind and keep you calm through stressful situations, while your favorite home scent will make work feel less like work!
Being a working mom has its own set of challenges, and it’s a worthy battle to take on every day. We need all the help we can get, and these simple tools and hacks help make the daily grind a little less stressful—leaving us with more time and energy to focus on what truly matters!
Mich Lagdameo is a mom to a precocious 1-year-old. She is a writer and editor by trade and calling, and she lives for books, leisurely grocery trips, cups of good coffee, long drives with her husband, and the Food Network. Her days are punctuated by the sound of her computer keys and her daughter banging into things.
