Productivity Management | Care for your wardrobe
Posted on April 17 2020
Going into the the third week of April, when #stayathome and #socialdistancing have already been a global experience for at least a few weeks, if not over a month or two. For all the #sninewoman out there, as much as we try to stay positive and stay on top of the game, there are times when our willpower exhaust and we regress to giving into temptations (i.e. junk food, no exercise, staying up late for no good reason, sleeping in, not working on the things that you planned to achieve...etc.) And that's totally ok - we are not robots, and we should fully enjoy those moments of guilty pleasures. However, when you are ready to get back into the game - how do you pull yourself back on track? Here are 5 tips I would like to share on productivity:
- Record your daily time block - You can do this digitally, but I prefer using a lined notebook (recommend A6 size) and write each hour on the left most of every other line (so each line should represent 30 mins), then write down all the scheduled appointments (fixed time) first, and fill the rest of the tasks you need to do and block out time slots for each of those tasks. At the beginning, there would be a lot of guesswork and inaccuracy, but by doing so it will help you get better at estimating how much time you need for each task. This also offers a clear visualization on your productivity level so you don't over promise (to yourself or to others) on the completion time. Try to block a maximum 1.5 hours for each tasks, and allow a 30 mins break every 3 hours. Put the most important tasks you have on a time slot when you have the most will power and the best focus environment (for me that's usually in the morning, but some people prefer night time). Try to keep this record very diligently for a whole week and review, you might find quite a few great insights for improvements.
- Do at least 2 of your morning ritual - If you don't know about "morning ritual", simply google it and you will find tons of information and number of things that people do. Everyone has different lifestyle and duties, especially for moms with babies and young kids, which makes having "me time" practically impossible on most days. But even if it's just 5 minutes, try to see if you could squeeze in a short meditation followed by drinking a glass of warm water. That's it. Even just sticking to doing 2 things you set yourself to do each morning, it will provide you with a sense of accomplishment to start the day. And on days when you have a few more minutes, you will be more likely to follow that by doing some yoga or your exercise of choice. Set yourself up for a great day ahead!
- Switch off all social media will help you get into the flow state - By definition in positive psychology, a flow state, also known colloquially as being in the zone, is the mental state in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. Once you have commit yourself in a time block for a certain activity/task, switch off all social media and try to place yourself in a designated location which minimises distractions. When you are in an environment where noise and chatters are unavoidable, it might be a good idea to invest in a noise cancelling headphone, put on some music that could get you in the zone or simply just use it to block the outside noise. It really helps for me.
- Don't do checklist, do the one thing - It's easy to feel defeated and overwhelm oneself with an impossibly long checklist. And often, more than half of the things on the list are tasks that "seems to be a good idea to get done". Make sure to make a clear assessment on your purpose, and ask the most important question: "What’s the one thing you can do, such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary" (from "The One Thing" by Gary Keller). Try to use this as an anchor question when you need to plan or make decision on your activities.
- Reward yourself - Finally, something I don't need to write a long essay about. Treat yourself, and celebrate what life has to offer!
Care Tips by Garment Types
Viscose and Rayon Jersey
Our signature Viscose Jersey, like the Tomo Top, is renowned for its slick and slippery texture and luxurious shine. The elegant drape of the material lends itself to beautiful accent pieces for garments, while its wrinkle-resistant characteristics makes it a perfect material for an everyday wardrobe. Hand-wash by gently soaking it (don't rub the fabric with force) in warm water or machine wash on a slow-medium cycle. For spot cleaning, lightly rub the stain with 1/2 a teaspoon of mild detergent with a damp cloth until the spot is not visible, follow by soaking in warm water or machine wash.
Silk and Lace
Natural fiber and delicate weave like silk and lace have long been treasured as luxurious and aesthetically alluring fabrics for centuries. We use these materials to express timeless elegance and a sense of glamour. Like our latest creation, the Aerith Silk Lace One-Shoulder Dress, treat it with care as you would want to keep it for a long time or even pass these on to your loved ones. Dry clean is recommended with your trusted local professional.
Everyday Silk Items
When the silk garment is not adorned with embroideries or combined with other fabrics, like this Charlie Silk Shirt, it is ok to hand-wash by gently soaking it (don't rub the fabric with force) in warm water or machine wash on a slow-medium cycle. For spot cleaning, lightly rub the stain with 1/2 a teaspoon of mild detergent with a damp cloth until the spot is not visible, follow by soaking in warm water or machine wash. For light wear, it is also ok to use a steamer to disinfect the garment and air it out overnight.
Jacquard Fabric
Jacquard fabric is often made from a variety of fibers such as silk, cotton, linen or wool to create versatile woven patterns including brocade, damask and tapestry. These intricate textiles require careful cleaning methods to maintain the quality. Sturdy jacquards like our Nisha Top and Agna Skirt can be hand and machine washed at 30 °С. Avoid using bleaching agents. Do not wring this fabric. If you choose to iron jacquard, it is recommended to do it from the reverse side so as not to damage the pattern. We would recommend using a steamer to maintain the quality of the fabric.