Isn’t being an online writer great? You can wear jammies all day if you choose to. Nobody sees you. You don’t need make-up, suits or high heels. Heck, you don’t even have to comb your hair, right? Not so fast. There are a lot of reasons why you should get up and get dressed in the morning, even if you work at home. You may not need the high heels. On the other hand, keeping up your appearance is a positive thing.
Why get dressed at all?
Some writers are perfectly comfortable tapping away in those pajamas. Personally, I find it difficult to get motivated in lounge mode. Somehow, it helps me stay focused when I get ready for work as if I’m actually going somewhere. You tell everyone you have a real job. Why not start dressing for it to pump up your enthusiasm and give you credibility?
Do you have a significant other?
How does he/she feel about seeing you constantly disheveled and not even out of your pajamas at the end of the day? While it might be sexy at first, coming home day after day to find your partner in PJ’s might get a bit old. Even though I work online, I get dressed, however casually, and put on lipstick every single morning. When my partner kisses me goodbye, he’s kissing a nicely put together woman, not the creature from the black lagoon.
Note: Certainly, your partner should love you for who you are. It’s still important to make some kind of effort. At least brush your teeth!
Do you even go outside?
What kind of life are you leading here? Is this what you had in mind when you decided to be a writer? There’s a big world outside. What can you possibly find to write about if you never do anything? Get out and have some experiences that give your writing (and your personality) a little depth! It’ll be fun, I promise.
How’s your health?
Sitting around on your butt every day only makes it bigger. By refusing to get dressed in the morning, you may be saying goodbye to good health. Being ready to go out the door makes it more likely that you will. You need exercise, fresh air and sunshine. I know so many writers who’ve made the mistake of putting their job before their health and now have chronic health issues. I’m one of them. Now, I do my health a favor by getting off the computer for at least a couple hours every day. You have to work to earn money. You don’t have to work yourself into an early grave.
Get dressed for you!
Can you honestly say that it makes you feel good about yourself to laze around in those jammies every day? Getting dressed and looking your best just makes you feel good about yourself in general. At least, it does me. Let your appearance reflect the way you feel about yourself. Or, if you’re not feeling great, let it boost your self esteem until you do. Life is short. Get dressed and make it awesome, even if your career allows you to rock those jammies.
More from Jaipi:
Sit and Be Fit While Writing
Making Your Online Writing Job More Interesting
Good Writing Karma Amidst Chaos