Oh I absolutely need to test this experiment! I've been really struggling with this lately! A leak in the bedroom roof has caused my husband and I to temporarily move into the living room, which is also my workspace! So my work/home life separation has NO clear line. Especially not when my uniform has been sweats and my fave DnD hoodie! haha! So I'm DEFINITELY going to try this for a week and see if it helps! Also, it REALLY struck me when you asked yourself how much work you'd designate to your employees if you were a boss. I looked directly at my to-do list for the day and gulped. No wonder I'm not getting my work done! hahahaha Once again, thanks for the inspiration and for the good hard look at myself!!! This is so helpful!
That's the hardest part of being a writer for me. I never know when to "clock out." I've had 10k word days and still, I feel like I need to keep writing. I never feel satisfied with what I've accomplished in a day. There's just so much I want to accomplish and get done that I end up burning out with how hard I push myself. I would love to give myself a better schedule and take the weekends off eventually.
Kate! I thank you for this video because I have tried this for the last 4 days and I have gotten so much done! It's not even the fact that I've gotten a lot done, but that I am actually doing something every day. I pretend like I'm actually getting ready to leave the house and go to work. My kitchen has become my breakroom lol instead of eating at my desk. I even downloaded a timeclock app on my phone to keep track of my hours worked and to make sure I take breaks and stop at a reasonable time. So I literally clock in and out every day! It's working so well!
Sometimes I'll turn on a ten hour thunderstorm video on youtube, turn off the lights in my room except for dim fairy lights and write in my bed at night, it feels like I'm under the stars writing in the middle of a lightning storm and it's SO good, seriously it's so relaxing to me, because I love rain so much, I'll even sometimes turn on my fan to make it even more realistic lol Helps me forget I'm in Arizona for a bit😂😂😂
Because I was homeschooled I learned at a young age that even when working from home pajama days should be a once in a while thing, may be once a week like "casual Friday" if reaching goals. As an adult when I worked from home I had to relearn my lesson. Being in my night cloths started as self indulgent, but after a few days lethargy & depression starts to sit in for me. Getting dressed for the day just feels better, like you have accomplished something and produces that little boost in serotonin to take on the tasks and challenges of the day.
I have a work outfit that I use every single day that I'm writing (tuesday through saturday). It's not something I could wear to an office, but I have several pairs of dark blue basketball shorts and several of the same red t-shirt and I wear that almost everyday that I am writing while I'm writing. Sometimes I end up still in the clothes I wore to farm in if I didn't come inside in time to shower and change before work (7- 10 pm).
I usually try to pick a nice outfit when I’m working from home (so I can easily pop off to the shops if I need) but I recently bought a matching sweatpants and a hoodie, so if I’m feeling lazy and want to be warm and cozy, I can still look put together!
I work from home and loved this video. I started WTF in July 2021 and have sort of given myself a routine working from 12pm-4pm. Though, there are some days I don't start on time. I've been trying to learn how to manage my time now that i do have this sort of freedom. I love seeing different perspectives!
I work from home for my day job. I loved not having to get ready in the morning, commute, being able to sleep in etc. but after a month of working from home I had to place myself on a routine. Up at a certain time well before my start time, dressed in something I didn't sleep in and coffee not in front of my computer. It helped me feel more normal and I was more productive at work and outside of work too by keeping a schedule and it created separation from home life. I am lucky to have an office also so I have a space to work and write but they are set up apart from each other so afterwork I can walk away for a while, come back into the office and sit down to write and not feel like I am at work :)
In my vacation my sister and I live three weeks of author life and we sticked to a routine from 9-3 and I also get dress up everyday. It helped so much! We finished a whole book :D
I'm so glad we have a new video. In gratitude, I will not cancel the vacation you have scheduled on Twitch. LOL I know you must be relieved to hear that. Take good care of yourself! We love you!
Love this experiment! I love the idea of donning a writer's uniform. In my early days I used to wear the same dress every time I sat down to write. Can't remember where I learned about that, but I think it had something to do with Virginia Woolf. I've been working my day job from home for the last 5 years or so, and I've accumulated some cute loungewear that makes me feel like I'm trying without trying - I'd never wear it out of the house, but I also don't sleep in it. I should note that I sleep in chemises, though. So no matter what I have going on for the day, I always change into loungewear after I get up. Honestly, I don't delineate all that much between work and home life; if there's something I need to handle, I just handle it. I used to be rigid about this, but realized it just left me with more work to do in the evenings, which cut into my writing or cooking time. So now, I'll fold clothes or do dishes between meetings. I've even baked during the day (I mean, the kitchen is so close and bread has to proof so...). I prefer the ability to flow like that as needed. Hell, some days I'm stuck doing work in my office all day (and beyond quitting time), so it balances out if I have a more 'personal task' day. Since I write in the evenings on weekdays, I mark the end of my day with yoga before sitting down to write. Totally helps to pull me out of 'work' brain and into 'creative' brain, and gets me off my butt for around an hour--you know, before I go sit back down on it for another 5 hours. I use a different computer for personal use, so I switch over to that one and even have a specific mechanical keyboard I use for it (because clacky keyboards help you get more of the words out, and you KNOW I speak the truth). I even switch from using ear buds to using my Hello Kitty headphones. Then I break out the jams, whatever writing sprint vid strikes my fancy and go for it til I get distracted and start playing The Sims. You know...for research. ;) I never expected it, but being able to use a different computer for my writing has probably been the biggest boost to my productivity. Even when I get to the point where I'm a self-employed author and businesswoman of whatever the hell I cook up, I will likely always have a computer dedicated to work, and another dedicated to writing and entertainment. And mechanical keyboards, of course.
I work from home & change out of my pajamas into comfortable leggings for that so I guess you could say I go from sleep mode to homeoffice mode? And then I usually write on the bed as opposed to the desk bc by the time I'm done with work my neck/back usually needs a bit of a rest D: but this was so interesting! Sometimes I do dress up in the morning, but usually only if I have to go out later that day. It always makes me feel more confident & accomplished.
I recently stopped having the expectation of working on the weekends. I still do because, like you, I enjoy doing the writing things, but I don’t schedule anything, other than making sure my weekly reading blog goes out. It has been a very good decision for reducing my stress!
I watched a few of your podcasts and found them so compelling that i have just finished uploading them all and intend to watch them in order. Keep up the exceptional work.
Ah I am SO invested in your quest for the perfect coffee shop. I also love your separation of chill v. work at home and also being a good boss to yourself. I'm early in the video, but I wanted to make sure to send you all the good vibes, and I'm stoked to see what your work uniform is like vs. what the standard, limiting idea of "professional dress" is. :)
I don’t have a writer’s uniform…yet I’m thinking about a business casual shirt and blazer though would put me in the mindset to write and be productive throughout the day. I just have to find the right shirt and blazer combo.
It’s so funny that you were doing this experiment because the last video (or stream?) that I saw you on I thought, “She looks really dressed up, I wonder where she’s going?” LOL. I am notoriously bad for this. I don’t usually get dressed until after lunch… and only if I have to go somewhere in the evening. 😆 I think this is why I’m so productive during NaNo because I vlog every day so I actually get ready in the mornings!
I never looked at it like this!! Interesting video, thank you very much :D I realized that, in order to work at home or alone in a coffeeshop (Etsy and novels), I have to wear my noice cancelling headphones. Even when there is nothing playing, I need them on my head and on 100% noice cancellin :) I guess you could call that my uniform!!
That chair got *yeeted* 💀 and I am lucky to have a little box room I can use as an office, as well as a work specific laptop. Both of those help me keep everything separate
As someone that's definitely guilty of working in my pyjamas all day, I appreciate this experiment and may have to try this out :P I don't have a 'writer's uniform' as such, but in terms of things 'nearby' that I need to have in order to start writing, I use a timetracking app to keep track of all of my projects, so whenever I start the timer on that my brain is wired to instantly concentrate on writing (or whatever else I'm tracking) and do nothing else until I stop the timer. It's not a strict separation of scheduling as such but to me it creates a very clear distinction about when I'm working and when I'm not
I have to write outside my day job, so my outfit is none existing. I feel that what really helped me to get back into writing was plotting and generating ideas on paper. For some reason, it makes it so much better to think.
I really enjoyed watching this video! I've never considered this before. It's so interesting! I love writing sprints; they help me write more and stay focused.
Hi! I'm not someone who comments a lot but I wanted to thank you for all the time and work you're putting here on YT. I discovered authortube only a couple of months ago and it really made me write again after spending a decade thinking about going back to writing without truly being dedicated to the craft. I don't count anymore how many of your past live streams have accompanied me while I was writing. As well, even if i haven't yet watched all of your other videos, I felt I could relate and/or learn from all the ones I've watched so far (like this one). So, just THANK YOU for being such a good inspiration and motivation.
It was so funny listening to you talk about not having exact times for stuff. This morning I opened up my weekly scheduling sheets and took off the times I had on there! So I'm planning in time blocks, but without specific times because I realized last night I thought those were hanging me up. Such a weird coincidence to listen to you talk about the same type of concept on the same day!
Not gonna lie, your twitch streams really get me into the writing zone when I can make them! Otherwise, I have to be at a cafe in order to not be completely distracted all the time. I get my most words written when I'm not sitting at home. The Barnes and Noble cafe or my local Starbucks usually has enough background stuff going on to keep from being too quiet, but not enough to distract me completely, otherwise, I'm getting distracted by my parents, the dog, all the other things that need to be done in the house, and I end up on UA-cam or Tiktok and get nothing done because I'm overwhelmed by all the things on my To Do list.
I don't have a uniform but I'd like to now. I always have a wrist brace next to me. I need my bullet journal and that supplies. My water bottle, too. My "personal life" at home is in my bedroom & kitchen. Couch & desk are work. So, that's how I separate it. But I should separate it by time, too.
Still in the middle of watching this so I might update this as I watch, but I never thought of dressing like my character to get a feel for what they might be feeling, restriction of movement, etc. I really like this idea and might try this.
my writers uniform/work uniform in general is whatever i want as long as i’m wearing shoes with it; for some reason, i cannot focus without wearing shoes. some ppl use adderall, i use shoes 😭
I realized last week that when Ive been struggling to write for the last several months, part of it was because I neglected to put on music and light a candle.
I've been working from home for a decade. My "work attire" was a shirt so that I could be presentable for video conference calls. What I really need to do is what you are suggesting:.a full dress outfit. Perhaps even shower and shave.
I've actually gotten tired of wearing pj's all day. It makes me so unmotivated to do anything. I need to change things occasionally in order to get my tasks done. I could swap the order of tasks to keep it interesting or get all the boring stuff out of the way to get to the better stuff. Dressing in normal, non pj, clothes helps drastically.
The first 1,000 of y'all to use the link or my code katecavanaugh will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/katecavanaugh05221
David Gemmell was asked in an interview what the best part of being an author-being your own boss. And the worst? Being your own boss.
Oh I absolutely need to test this experiment! I've been really struggling with this lately! A leak in the bedroom roof has caused my husband and I to temporarily move into the living room, which is also my workspace! So my work/home life separation has NO clear line. Especially not when my uniform has been sweats and my fave DnD hoodie! haha! So I'm DEFINITELY going to try this for a week and see if it helps! Also, it REALLY struck me when you asked yourself how much work you'd designate to your employees if you were a boss. I looked directly at my to-do list for the day and gulped. No wonder I'm not getting my work done! hahahaha Once again, thanks for the inspiration and for the good hard look at myself!!! This is so helpful!
Yeah task balancing has been a difficult thing. I find that the line gets moved and makes the gap for writing time so much smaller.
That's the hardest part of being a writer for me. I never know when to "clock out." I've had 10k word days and still, I feel like I need to keep writing. I never feel satisfied with what I've accomplished in a day. There's just so much I want to accomplish and get done that I end up burning out with how hard I push myself. I would love to give myself a better schedule and take the weekends off eventually.
Kate! I thank you for this video because I have tried this for the last 4 days and I have gotten so much done! It's not even the fact that I've gotten a lot done, but that I am actually doing something every day. I pretend like I'm actually getting ready to leave the house and go to work. My kitchen has become my breakroom lol instead of eating at my desk. I even downloaded a timeclock app on my phone to keep track of my hours worked and to make sure I take breaks and stop at a reasonable time. So I literally clock in and out every day! It's working so well!
Sometimes I'll turn on a ten hour thunderstorm video on youtube, turn off the lights in my room except for dim fairy lights and write in my bed at night, it feels like I'm under the stars writing in the middle of a lightning storm and it's SO good, seriously it's so relaxing to me, because I love rain so much, I'll even sometimes turn on my fan to make it even more realistic lol
Helps me forget I'm in Arizona for a bit😂😂😂
Because I was homeschooled I learned at a young age that even when working from home pajama days should be a once in a while thing, may be once a week like "casual Friday" if reaching goals.
As an adult when I worked from home I had to relearn my lesson. Being in my night cloths started as self indulgent, but after a few days lethargy & depression starts to sit in for me. Getting dressed for the day just feels better, like you have accomplished something and produces that little boost in serotonin to take on the tasks and challenges of the day.
I have a work outfit that I use every single day that I'm writing (tuesday through saturday). It's not something I could wear to an office, but I have several pairs of dark blue basketball shorts and several of the same red t-shirt and I wear that almost everyday that I am writing while I'm writing. Sometimes I end up still in the clothes I wore to farm in if I didn't come inside in time to shower and change before work (7- 10 pm).
A "writer's uniform" has for sure helped me! When I dress like I'm leaving the house to go to work, I feel a lot more focused on the task at hand.
I usually try to pick a nice outfit when I’m working from home (so I can easily pop off to the shops if I need) but I recently bought a matching sweatpants and a hoodie, so if I’m feeling lazy and want to be warm and cozy, I can still look put together!
I work from home and loved this video. I started WTF in July 2021 and have sort of given myself a routine working from 12pm-4pm. Though, there are some days I don't start on time. I've been trying to learn how to manage my time now that i do have this sort of freedom. I love seeing different perspectives!
I work from home for my day job. I loved not having to get ready in the morning, commute, being able to sleep in etc. but after a month of working from home I had to place myself on a routine. Up at a certain time well before my start time, dressed in something I didn't sleep in and coffee not in front of my computer. It helped me feel more normal and I was more productive at work and outside of work too by keeping a schedule and it created separation from home life.
I am lucky to have an office also so I have a space to work and write but they are set up apart from each other so afterwork I can walk away for a while, come back into the office and sit down to write and not feel like I am at work :)
In my vacation my sister and I live three weeks of author life and we sticked to a routine from 9-3 and I also get dress up everyday. It helped so much! We finished a whole book :D
I'm so glad we have a new video. In gratitude, I will not cancel the vacation you have scheduled on Twitch. LOL I know you must be relieved to hear that. Take good care of yourself! We love you!
Love this experiment! I love the idea of donning a writer's uniform. In my early days I used to wear the same dress every time I sat down to write. Can't remember where I learned about that, but I think it had something to do with Virginia Woolf.
I've been working my day job from home for the last 5 years or so, and I've accumulated some cute loungewear that makes me feel like I'm trying without trying - I'd never wear it out of the house, but I also don't sleep in it. I should note that I sleep in chemises, though. So no matter what I have going on for the day, I always change into loungewear after I get up.
Honestly, I don't delineate all that much between work and home life; if there's something I need to handle, I just handle it. I used to be rigid about this, but realized it just left me with more work to do in the evenings, which cut into my writing or cooking time. So now, I'll fold clothes or do dishes between meetings. I've even baked during the day (I mean, the kitchen is so close and bread has to proof so...). I prefer the ability to flow like that as needed. Hell, some days I'm stuck doing work in my office all day (and beyond quitting time), so it balances out if I have a more 'personal task' day.
Since I write in the evenings on weekdays, I mark the end of my day with yoga before sitting down to write. Totally helps to pull me out of 'work' brain and into 'creative' brain, and gets me off my butt for around an hour--you know, before I go sit back down on it for another 5 hours. I use a different computer for personal use, so I switch over to that one and even have a specific mechanical keyboard I use for it (because clacky keyboards help you get more of the words out, and you KNOW I speak the truth). I even switch from using ear buds to using my Hello Kitty headphones. Then I break out the jams, whatever writing sprint vid strikes my fancy and go for it til I get distracted and start playing The Sims. You know...for research. ;)
I never expected it, but being able to use a different computer for my writing has probably been the biggest boost to my productivity. Even when I get to the point where I'm a self-employed author and businesswoman of whatever the hell I cook up, I will likely always have a computer dedicated to work, and another dedicated to writing and entertainment. And mechanical keyboards, of course.
I work from home & change out of my pajamas into comfortable leggings for that so I guess you could say I go from sleep mode to homeoffice mode? And then I usually write on the bed as opposed to the desk bc by the time I'm done with work my neck/back usually needs a bit of a rest D: but this was so interesting! Sometimes I do dress up in the morning, but usually only if I have to go out later that day. It always makes me feel more confident & accomplished.
I recently stopped having the expectation of working on the weekends. I still do because, like you, I enjoy doing the writing things, but I don’t schedule anything, other than making sure my weekly reading blog goes out. It has been a very good decision for reducing my stress!
I watched a few of your podcasts and found them so compelling that i have just finished uploading them all and intend to watch them in order. Keep up the exceptional work.
Ah I am SO invested in your quest for the perfect coffee shop. I also love your separation of chill v. work at home and also being a good boss to yourself. I'm early in the video, but I wanted to make sure to send you all the good vibes, and I'm stoked to see what your work uniform is like vs. what the standard, limiting idea of "professional dress" is. :)
I don’t have a writer’s uniform…yet I’m thinking about a business casual shirt and blazer though would put me in the mindset to write and be productive throughout the day. I just have to find the right shirt and blazer combo.
I'm really struggling with home office. It's just terrible to be at home 100% of the time.
It’s so funny that you were doing this experiment because the last video (or stream?) that I saw you on I thought, “She looks really dressed up, I wonder where she’s going?” LOL. I am notoriously bad for this. I don’t usually get dressed until after lunch… and only if I have to go somewhere in the evening. 😆 I think this is why I’m so productive during NaNo because I vlog every day so I actually get ready in the mornings!
I never looked at it like this!! Interesting video, thank you very much :D
I realized that, in order to work at home or alone in a coffeeshop (Etsy and novels), I have to wear my noice cancelling headphones. Even when there is nothing playing, I need them on my head and on 100% noice cancellin :) I guess you could call that my uniform!!
I always thought your writing goals are insane, and Im glad you finally understood that you are a bit to hard on yourself😁
That chair got *yeeted* 💀 and I am lucky to have a little box room I can use as an office, as well as a work specific laptop. Both of those help me keep everything separate
I have watched your videos for years now. And you continue to inspire me. Thank you.
As someone that's definitely guilty of working in my pyjamas all day, I appreciate this experiment and may have to try this out :P
I don't have a 'writer's uniform' as such, but in terms of things 'nearby' that I need to have in order to start writing, I use a timetracking app to keep track of all of my projects, so whenever I start the timer on that my brain is wired to instantly concentrate on writing (or whatever else I'm tracking) and do nothing else until I stop the timer. It's not a strict separation of scheduling as such but to me it creates a very clear distinction about when I'm working and when I'm not
I have to write outside my day job, so my outfit is none existing. I feel that what really helped me to get back into writing was plotting and generating ideas on paper. For some reason, it makes it so much better to think.
I really enjoyed watching this video! I've never considered this before. It's so interesting! I love writing sprints; they help me write more and stay focused.
Hi! I'm not someone who comments a lot but I wanted to thank you for all the time and work you're putting here on YT.
I discovered authortube only a couple of months ago and it really made me write again after spending a decade thinking about going back to writing without truly being dedicated to the craft.
I don't count anymore how many of your past live streams have accompanied me while I was writing.
As well, even if i haven't yet watched all of your other videos, I felt I could relate and/or learn from all the ones I've watched so far (like this one).
So, just THANK YOU for being such a good inspiration and motivation.
I just read your short story zero draft and it is really good, you are supremely talented.
when are you going to publish a full book?
I do love the idea of dressing up as your character to write! Might have to try that one out
It was so funny listening to you talk about not having exact times for stuff. This morning I opened up my weekly scheduling sheets and took off the times I had on there! So I'm planning in time blocks, but without specific times because I realized last night I thought those were hanging me up. Such a weird coincidence to listen to you talk about the same type of concept on the same day!
I love dressing as my characters when I’m writing, it’s so helpful!
Sounds really fun.
Not gonna lie, your twitch streams really get me into the writing zone when I can make them! Otherwise, I have to be at a cafe in order to not be completely distracted all the time. I get my most words written when I'm not sitting at home. The Barnes and Noble cafe or my local Starbucks usually has enough background stuff going on to keep from being too quiet, but not enough to distract me completely, otherwise, I'm getting distracted by my parents, the dog, all the other things that need to be done in the house, and I end up on UA-cam or Tiktok and get nothing done because I'm overwhelmed by all the things on my To Do list.
i definitely notice that i'm so much more productive when i decide to dress up or do my makeup etc. 😁
I don't have a uniform but I'd like to now. I always have a wrist brace next to me. I need my bullet journal and that supplies. My water bottle, too. My "personal life" at home is in my bedroom & kitchen. Couch & desk are work. So, that's how I separate it. But I should separate it by time, too.
Still in the middle of watching this so I might update this as I watch, but I never thought of dressing like my character to get a feel for what they might be feeling, restriction of movement, etc. I really like this idea and might try this.
my writers uniform/work uniform in general is whatever i want as long as i’m wearing shoes with it; for some reason, i cannot focus without wearing shoes. some ppl use adderall, i use shoes 😭
I realized last week that when Ive been struggling to write for the last several months, part of it was because I neglected to put on music and light a candle.
12:56 I need to “stay in the zone” why did I think of auto zone????? Bahahaha 😂
Pajamas are a writers uniform and a coffee to the side that only gets drank if your not in the zone.
My writing and wfh uniform is leggings, baggy top, socks if cold, nice top for zooms
I enjoy your content. Thank you.
It's so easy to stay pyjamaed!
I've been working from home for a decade. My "work attire" was a shirt so that I could be presentable for video conference calls. What I really need to do is what you are suggesting:.a full dress outfit. Perhaps even shower and shave.
Love your videos!
I've actually gotten tired of wearing pj's all day. It makes me so unmotivated to do anything. I need to change things occasionally in order to get my tasks done. I could swap the order of tasks to keep it interesting or get all the boring stuff out of the way to get to the better stuff. Dressing in normal, non pj, clothes helps drastically.
This works for me, but it's not so much about the clothes as whether or not I'm wearing pants and a bra.
What time is your stream on twitch?