Starting a New Work From Home Job (After a Long Break)

 After nearly a year out of work, I’ve started a new work from home job — and yes, my brain has absolutely been doing cartwheels about it.

Returning to work after a break is… a lot. There’s excitement, nerves, imposter syndrome, and that very loud inner voice asking “Do I even remember how to work?” (Spoiler: yes — but it takes a minute.)

Working from home feels like the right fit for this season of life. It means balancing work with family life and everyday routines, without pretending that everything suddenly becomes calm and perfectly organised. This isn’t a Pinterest version of working from home. It’s real life.

I’ve kept my setup intentionally simple. My essentials are basically: a laptop, a comfortable headset, a mouse, a notebook, and enough caffeine to keep me functioning.

(This is the headset I’m using for calls — comfortable, clear, and doesn’t make my head ache: [Click Here])

(This is the mouse I use daily — nothing fancy, just reliable and easy on the wrist: [Click Here])

(And this is my go-to notebook for keeping my thoughts, logins, and to-do lists in one place: [Click Here])

I’m reminding myself daily that I don’t need to be perfect — I just need to show up. Confidence comes after routine, not before it. Some days will feel smooth, others will feel clunky, and that’s completely normal when you’re rebuilding your work rhythm.

If you’re starting a work from home job after time away, know this: it’s okay to feel nervous. It’s okay to start slowly. And it’s okay if your confidence needs a little time to catch up.

Here’s to new routines, slightly awkward first weeks, and figuring it out as we go — preferably with a decent mouse and a strong cup of tea.