When working from home, our office tends to be the place we go to every day even when we aren’t working. The office tends to be also the personal office, the place to do bills, read emails, do research, etc… on your downtime. But, for me, it was hard to change gears and NOT think about work on the weekends. I would always veer back to work while in the office. So, to help me change my frame of mind, I decided to create an Open and Closed door hanging star wreath. In my mind, the open side of the star meant the office is open for business, therefore, I am working. This also helped the kids know when I am working and when to not disturb me. And, when the star wreath said closed, I was reminded not to work and just finish the personal tasks. This gave me a mental reminder on when I am not working, to go and do something else. Otherwise, I would be working 24/7 and that is not good for me.
Here is how I made the DIY Open and Closed door hanging wreath.
First, I visited my favorite craft store and found a star wreath already made. It was sure lucky me. While I was there, I picked up a few decorative birds in the floral section to display on my wreath and dress it up for spring. These birds have clips so it is super simple to add to wherever I wanted. No sticky glue needed!
I decided that I could use both sides of the sign, just like the open store signs
I found these great little signs that were on clearance for 50 cents each. Woo hoo! They are colorful for the spring and summer months. I wrote on the signs open and closed with a black permanent marker
The entire project took a total of 15 minutes to make. Great for any small business owner who doesn’t have a lot of time to do crafts. =) The total cost of the star wreath and all the accessories was $16.00. And as a result, this little wreath has helped me separate my personal life from my business life.
Here’s the open sign side.
And, here is the closed side.
Now it’s your turn. Do you have an object in your office and helps you know when you should work and when you can stop and play? Please leave a comment below. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
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An interesting idea, I had not thought of it. Sounds cool. 🙂 Am not sure it works that much, if you feel like working you do it anyway whether you have a sign saying open or closed or not.
Good idea for those needing firmer boundaries and/or reminders Sabrina.
I felt like you were talking directly to me, because I’m at my desk more often than not, even on “off” days. Is your door open most of the time? I’m assuming it is, or otherwise you and the kids wouldn’t both be able to see the sign.
I have a sign on my door with my name and business name, which my husband had made for me when I started Organized Assistant. Maybe I could come up with something that says something different to hang over it when I’m not working!
I like the idea best as a personal reminder that it’s time to call it quits for the day and not sneak back to get some more work done. However, won’t work for hubby, who calls from any part of the house when he needs attention. Having the door closed won’t work for the cat; he knows how to open it. LOL.
Sabrina – cute sign! I think it helps that you put some work into it, too. I don’t know why, but I just know that the 15 minutes of effort to make the star is so much more efficient in the end than purchasing an open/closed sign. It’s kind of like a homemade quilt – there’s the gentle nudge of effort & nurturing saying “Time to replenish your sleep. Oh, and you’re worth this extra special effort.”
Expressing your creativity in a craft is good for you in many ways. I think it tells your family you are serious about this. I have an office room upstairs & leave it when I’m done. When hubby comes up to see how I’m doing, need anything, he waits for me to acknowledge his presence. Different from kids who just storm in.
Cute idea.
That’s great! You trained him well. =)
Great mental trick to make sure to end my day in a conscious way, Sabrina. And it doesn’t hurt to look at something pretty either.
That’s so cute. You are reminding me that I must find time to make the goddess jewelry box that I have all the items for….but it is still in the bag. Making something fun with our hands allows us to get out of our head and into our flow of creative energy. So good on many levels. Thanks for sharing..
This is cute.. I know when I told Jackie about family bothering me when I worked, she suggested a sign like this.. sadly no real place to hang it other than on my desk.. where it is in MY way.. but still cute, nonetheless
This is so funny that you wrote about this, this week. I too work from home and am constantly being interrupted either by my husband (he’s retired) or my daughters. I started putting a post it on the door that says “Working, Do Not Disturb” but it keep falling off. Definitely time for a wreath!
I love the sweet star wreath and what a clever mind prompt it is. I think investing a bit of time into creating it will make the prompt more powerful than if you just put a plain open/closed sign up. I handed over our office to Hubby when he started working from home (his wage gets more bills paid) so I have a mobile set-up and when I put my computer away it’s time for play.
The idea can be done with mobile offices too. Just attached a laptop sticker to the front of your desk (my husband bought me one customized with my logos for my laptop front). When the laptop is open, I am at work, when it is closed. I am available to communicate. =)
This sounds like a wonderful way to create a distinction between when you are working and when you are not. Personally I work in my dining room that faces my front door, so there is little escaping my “office” even when I am not in work mode. I have to do that myself, by turning off my computer and stepping away from the desk/table. I think whatever works to differentiate on and off work time, is a great idea! It looks like you had fun creating this open/closed wreath too, Sabrina!
What a super idea! Since it’s only me and my cats (who haven’t learned how to read — yet), when I need to be left alone, I close my office door. And then hope like hell they’ll stop scratching on it to get in!
What a clever idea, Sabrina! My flow between work and personal is often very fluid. I may need to consider something like this.
Oh, what a fabulous idea! I, too, often struggle with not working on the weekends, especially since I’m in my home office a lot. I’m going to make a sign! Thank you–it’ll truly help me.
It’s a really good idea, Sabrina. Having a sign that announces your business/non-business status makes it a fact. I love the addition of the little birds to brighten up the wreath.
Thanks, Beth. It was so fun to make. I love decorating for the spring and summer. It totally brightens up the office. =)