Earlier on the week on Twitter, @AshLawrenceRye cc’d me into a conversation about working from home in the cold. It was suggested that I cover this on The Freelance Lifestyle, given that many of us have to deal with this.
ANY EXCUSE TO GO ONLINE SHOPPING AND CREATE A POORLY PUT TOGETHER IMAGE ABOUT THE REALITIES OF WORKING FROM HOME WHEN YOU’RE FREEZING YOUR BITS OFF.
Thanks to a broken boiler, this has been my reality this week. I spent most of the days working on the sofa in my onesie, under a blanket with a hot water bottle and a mug of hot chocolate. Which all sounded rather marvelous, but I suspect the reality would have been featured in one of those ‘when Pinterest goes wrong’ articles. To be honest, the image on the right above would be a flattering portrayal. But I am, nonetheless, obsessed with cooler days and the delights of keeping warm. Which is perhaps why so many mispronounce my surname as ‘cosy’.
Anyway, if I WAS one of those effortless women who shrugs on a cashmere vest top and a pair of lounge pants and curls up perfectly in a spotless home, I would probably buy all of items featured below.
(HA! Kidding. As if being untidy usually stops my shopping habits)
I asked the lovely freelancing types in my Facebook group Freelance Lifestylers (it’s free, why not join too?) what they did to keep warm without resorting to upping the heating. Here’s what they had to say, along with some suggestions of things that could keep you cosy.
Working in the boffice with an electric blanket – thermal layers – lots of socks! Doing star jumps in your breaks HAHA. I’m thinking lunchtime baths should be added to this too. Fran Reynolds
This is a heated cape. A heated cape people! Sure, it’s not the kind of thing you hit up a networking event in, but it’s snuggly. It’s £49.99 on Amazon.
Currently working under a blanket, wearing Uggs! Also, when it just gets unbearably cold in our flat (we have storage heaters that as far as I can tell basically require witchcraft to set up properly) I head to the library and work from there -it’s free, it’s warm, and there’s a coffee shop! Emily Jayne Phillips
Simple heated slippers aren’t enough. Nope. You need Narwharl heated slippers! Firebox, £24.99. (They’re the unicorn of the sea donchaknow?)
Side note – I love how many freelancers are supporting and working in their local libraries.
Layers and layers of socks! Staying in the warm bed longer, and doing workouts. I hear dogs and cats are helpful too, but apparently it’s frowned on to borrow them just for personal heating. Jo Shock
Boux Avenue is one of my favourite places for cosy loungewear, and these pom pom socks (£15) are divine. Cats are also a useful substitute. Not to wear, obviously.
Hot shower then layer up. Fleece lined woolen socks Madeleine Noble Jones
Lush is always my first stop for comforting treats to add to my bath. The Cosy Christmas box above is full of treats including the Hot Toddy shower gel, Snowman Jelly, Celebrate body lotion and Snowcake soap.
I have a plug in heater for when it’s freezing but I don’t want to heat the whole house. I also find that when you do have the heating on, setting it to come on for just an hour at lunchtime helps to maintain a good temperature without being too extravagant. Oh, and finger-less gloves are good for typing! Katie M Anderson
I also love a good pair of fingerless gloves. Accessorize have a particularly cute collection, including Fairisle ones above (£14).
Slipper booties, leggings, blanket, hot beverages every half hour. Or pop out to library for free heating. Kerri Walker
On the tea front, I’m rather addicted to these Twinings flavoured green teas, especially the ginger bread one. With it being green tea, I can convince myself that it’s healthy too. It’s like cake you don’t have to chew.
I now seem to have taken a rather more drastic approach and I’m looking at flights to warmer climes! Madeleine Noble Jones
Well, this is the main benefit of being freelance really, isn’t it? The ability to, in theory, be location independent! Good shout.
Tell me how keep warm during the colder months when you’re working from home? What products do you reach for?
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hahahaha what a great post!!!!!!
I’m sat here in a fleecy, oversized jumper and its not even freezing yet.
That’s the only problem with working at home in the winter is increased heating bills so I make sure I layer up x
I’d definitely rather layer up rather than have to deal with being too hot 🙂
Great idea for a post! In the cooler months I wear sweatpants, wool socks, slippers (fuzzy on the *inside*) and a bathrobe — a light cotton one when it’s just another layer, and a fleece one when it’s cold. I call it my “coding jacket”. 😉 If it gets *really* cold in the office, or I’m spending much time in the basement, I’ll add a watch-cap, and fingerless gloves… and possibly silk glove-liners.
I have to ask – what’s a “watch-cap”? Am most intrigued!
I want to know what a watch-cap is too!
This post is excellent! I’ve moved my office to a different part of the house to get warmer and I’ve always got a blanket on my chair and fingerless gloves within easy reach!
Loved this post (although it may be a little premature as the weather has only just turned autumnal, so I’m afraid to say it’s going to get a lot colder, folks!).
My hubbie also works from home a lot, so we tend to just leave the heating on all day – and let the thermostat kick in when needed (he REALLY. feels the cold). Saying that, I did resort the winter before last to wearing fingerless gloves which came almost up to my elbows (reckon my internal heating system is slowing down as I get older!).
Dave – I have to ask – what’s a “watch-cap”? Am most intrigued!
Bizarre how the glove reference in mine and Cathryn’s posts (but not Dave’s) automatically hyperlinked to some Adidas gloves by Stella McCartney…
*Sigh* I have Skimlinks which must have done it automatically, but A-d-i-d-a-s wouldn’t be my personal choice (I am NOT a sportswear fan.)