6 Tips for Working from Home from the OG Remote Worker, Carrie Bradshaw

Working from home used to be such a glamorous affair. I’d wake up a little later (no crowded commute to prep for), I’d put my comfy workout clothes on, take the dog on a relaxing stroll to grab a cup of coffee where I would exchange witty banter with the barista. Those were the days.

But now due to the Coronavirus outbreak working from home is the new normal for EVERYONE as we are all SIP-ping (sheltering in place) hard. And the fun part of WFH is quickly starting to fade. 

So let’s look to the woman who did it before it was even a trendy thing or a mandated thing: Carrie Bradshaw, the OG remote worker. 

As a columnist for The New York Daily News, Bradshaw was truly amazing as she managed to…. 

1. Always look out the window when working

It’s nice to have a laptop you can take anywhere in your tiny apartment (perfect for perching with on your kitchen counter to eat saltines) but the window gives you exposure to light and the outside world. Plus, there is no better place to inner monologue big questions like “If men were shoes, what kind would they be?”

2. Either dress to the nines or wear a fantastic bra while working

Though Carrie always looked fantastic (albeit sometimes a little eccentric) when she left the house, when she was working at home she was pretty lax with her style. However she did have some of the best loungewear. Joggers, short shorts, wispy blouses, rock n’ roll tees, flannels, fluncy dresses, etc. And much of the time she just went with a bra and shorts. Perhaps the writing juices flowed better with the less clothing she wore. 

3. Don’t eat anything, go out for one cup of coffee and smoke an entire pack of cigarettes every day

When it comes to preserving your mental health while working from home Carrie Bradshaw isn’t the best example. Though she did often go on walks to shop (since that was her cardio) exercise and occasionally did a dramatic high heel run but the gym was not her thing. She did have a coffee maker but she often went out for coffee and we never really saw her eat in her apartment so we’re not sure how she sustained any energy. However, she did have the energy to chain smoke all day. 

4. Window shop it up

But if you do make it out on a walk, this is a great time to do all the window shopping (because all the stores are closed so that’s all you can really do.) So do go see the store windows and look longingly at the products (just don’t touch the glass.)

5. Do go to happy hour every day

Pretty sure Carrie Bradshaw had a cocktail every day come rain or shine. Sadly most of us can’t go out for a drink these days but you can order a martini or cosmo now from bars, hunker down on your couch and facetime with your friends. All the fun minus those super uncomfortable shoes. 

6. Take a stroll…in the closet

If you are starting to go a little mad, walk through your amazing closet and look at all the clothes that you have no reason to wear right now. Wear them anyway around your apartment. It will make you feel good. You will wear them one day again. Just breathe.

Meredith Lepore

Meredith is the former editor in chief of the women's career site, The Grindstone. Her work has appeared in Marie Claire @ Work, The Jane Dough, DailyWorth, SheKnows.com, Business Insider and Learnvest. She earned her Masters in Magazine, Newspaper and Online journalism from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Meredith resides in New York full time and enjoys reading, jogging, SoulCycle and playing with her small dog, Otis.