Your Complete Work-From-Away Checklist

Having a work-from-away checklist is incredibly useful to help you prepare for working away in serviced accommodation. The workday can be stressful and difficult enough as it is, without having to deal with a completely new environment and feeling completely unprepared!

At the properties we manage at Boutique Lux, our guests have access to comfortable working environments to help promote calmness and concentration. The properties offer freedom from pesky distractions and loud noise to help you to make the most out of your workday. Our accommodations are also situated in idyllic town locations, allowing you to explore, immerse and unwind!

Take a look below at our work-from-away checklist, and feel free to get in contact with any questions or queries you may have about your upcoming trip with us!

1. Home Comforts

work-from-away checklist: home comforts
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Just because you are working away from home, doesn’t mean that you can bring some special home comforts with you! When we are separated from our typical environments, we can become stressed, sad or anxious. Bringing something special from home to keep close by during your trip away can help you feel calmer and more connected with those in your life.

It could be a blanket that your dog sleeps on, a pillow that your cat snuggles up against, or perhaps a childhood toy. Whatever it is, don’t be embarrassed! Feeling comfortable is better than feeling sad!

2. Your Chargers

work-from-away checklist: chargers
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Imagine: you have just completed a long work assignment and as you go to save it, your laptop runs out of charge. You scramble for a charger and are horrified to discover that it is nowhere to be found. Believe me, we have all been there!

If there is one thing you need on your work-from-away checklist, it is to NOT FORGET YOUR CHARGERS! You can hardly ‘work-from-away’ if you don’t have a charged laptop to actually do the work!

3. Comfortable Clothes

work-from-away checklist comfortable clothes
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Look, you’re not in the office. You don’t need to dress for that environment. Pack clothes that are comfortable for you – what do you usually wear in the comfort of your own home?

It might be some comfy leggings, your favourite jeans, an oversized hoodie, or a warm knitted jumper! You will work more productively when you are comfortable and you are only in the company of yourself, so dress how you want! 

With that being said…

4. Professional Clothes

work-from-away checklist professional clothing
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We are living in a new world of Zoom calls – and this might be a new experience for some people who usually have face-to-face meetings! If you work in a more professional sector, you will probably be used to dressing up in suits or heels!

Now in a Zoom call, the heels might not be necessary – or even bottoms for that matter! But up top, make sure you are wearing something that suits your job (see what we did there)!

5. Gym Gear

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As with any normal working day, when you work away you will have downtime in the late afternoons and evenings. You might not have the time to scope out local gyms or fitness classes, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get fit and exercise in your new work environment!

Be sure to pack some dumbells, workout clothes, yoga mats or whatever takes your fancy to make the most out of your evenings away!

6. Items to Take a Break From Screens

work-from-away checklist books
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Staring at screens for hours on end does not help your eyesight and can create headaches. It is therefore important to take time away from you laptop, so perhaps bring something with you that you can do instead of screen time after a long day at work.

You could bring a reading book, colouring books or even get into some macrame or knitting!

7. Necessary Medications

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This one might sound obvious, but it is very easy to forget! It is of course necessary to bring any medications you are on medically, for example, those for high blood pressure, thyroid issues, heart problems, or those related to mental health illnesses.

But also think about medications you might only need as and when, for example, paracetamol, ibuprofen, vitamins, or hay fever pills. You never know when you might need them!

8. Headphones to Focus

work-from-away checklist headphones
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Another item that should be on your work-from-away checklist is a pair of headphones or earphones. When working in a new environment, outside noises can become distracting and despite the properties at Boutique Lux being set in quiet surroundings, you never know when a random plane, child shouting, or distant train might pass by!

Keep a pair of headphones nearby and perhaps work to some calming background music or an informative, educational podcast?

Take a look here for some great podcasts to help you focus at work. 

9. Your Favourite Snacks

work-from-away checklist favourite snacks
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No trip would be complete without your favourite food! A familiar food, drink, or meal can really help to calm anxiety and give the impression that your new environment isn’t so alien after all!

Perhaps you have a favourite brand of crisps, a delicious chocolate bar, a healthy microwave meal, or a nice bottle of wine that you use for celebrations? Whatever it is, make sure it is included in your work-from-away checklist!

10. Self-Care Items

work-from-away checklist self care
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Your favourite food can be considered self-care, however, there are other items you can bring with you on work-away trips that can help de-stress and take care of YOU.

For example, you might have a particular candle, a favourite essential oil, body lotion, bubble bath…the list goes on. Whatever makes you calm and happy, bring it along and make sure you look after yourself during times of stress.

We hope this work-from-away checklist has provided you with the planning preparation you need when you next work away from home!

Remember to check out  The Retreat and The Buddha House to make use of their uncluttered spaces and quiet surroundings for you and your guests to help you focus and get work done!

We are always on hand to offer any advice, to provide information, or to answer any queries you might have. Just get in touch below, and we will respond to your request as soon as possible!

Your happiness is our priority,

Team Boutique Lux

Our accommodation in St Neots, a wooden cabin in a garden with a koi pond in front.