Workspace options for freelancers
Without a boss breathing down their neck, freelancers enjoy the freedom and independence many workers dream of. Instead, freelancers have to contend with self-motivation. The fear of being fired or berated by their boss might kick a regular employee into gear, but the freelancer has to figure out how to stay focused without this outside pressure.
One factor which plays an important role in the motivation and productivity of the freelancer is the venue. Where a freelancer calls their workspace can determine their production and success. Some may thrive in noise and hustle, others may prefer quiet isolation. There are a number of spaces which freelancers can call their office, but often only one that’s conducive to their current success.
Working from home
The advantages of working from home seem unassailable. No treacherous commute. No irritating co-workers. No uncomfortable work clothes. Just days spent in pyjamas getting work done from the comfort of your sofa. This all sounds so inviting; forget just freelancers, everyone should work from home, right?
Unfortunately, probably not. Working from home, despite its obvious advantages, can quickly induce a sense of loneliness and a lack of productivity in some freelancers. People require interaction and companionship, so isolating ourselves in our homes can soon become detrimental to our wellbeing. Equally, however dreamlike working in our pyjamas from the sofa sounds, it isn’t necessarily conducive to motivation and productivity. There is a reason we get up, get dressed and head off in the morning, however miserable it may sometimes feel. This process puts us in the right state of mind, separating home life from work life. Without this delineation, home-workers can sometimes become less focused and achieve less work as a result.
Despite this, home-working has one clear and obvious advantage for freelancers. It’s free. Those who can work productively and happily from home should continue, but these people are rare. Many freelancers may argue that they cannot afford to work anywhere but at home. If this is the case, there are ways to stay productive at home, so don’t fear. However, if the distractions of home are genuinely impairing your ability to get work done, there are other options.
The library
Freelancers struggling with productivity as well as money have a cost-free option immediately available. Often overlooked, the library offers a free desk space in a quiet and often impressive building. Without distractions, freelancers can stay focused in a public library. Most people have a local library within walking or cycling distance, meaning freelancers can have the advantage of getting up and setting out to work in the right headspace whilst still avoiding the dreaded public transport.
The library, however, does have its setbacks. Libraries often have pretty restrictive opening times, shutting early and closing on certain days. Therefore, you will struggle to rely on the space as a dedicate workplace. Internet connection may not always be reliable, nor are you guaranteed to find a spot with a plug socket for your laptop. Too many hiccups like this might soon become frustrating. Freelancers who work in non-digital mediums may also struggle; painters, illustrators and designers will unlikely find space or permission to work on their physical projects.
Freelancers who cannot afford a desk or office space and struggle staying productive at home should look to the library as an appropriate workspace. Provided that they are patient with the possible setbacks, which tend not to be unmanageable but rather just inconvenient, they will find a free desk in a quiet place without distraction to give them the focus they cannot find at home. Freelancers who think the inconveniences of the library outweigh the benefits still have alternatives to consider.
The café
The café offers a similar solution to the library. Setting up shop in a café gives freelancers the ability to work without the distractions and comforts of home. Also, depending on how long you stay you’ll probably feel pressured to buy about 3 or 4 more coffees than you would really like, so you’ll at least be alert and focused… You will almost always be able to find a café open with Wifi working, so the slight setbacks of libraries might be somewhat met by the local café.
The café, though, comes with its own set of problems. Firstly, you are most definitely not guaranteed a quiet workspace, as cafes are not designed to be workspaces. Music and chatter will be the backdrop to your workday. If this sounds unbearably distracting, then cafés are clearly not for you. You are less likely to find a plug socket in a café, so keeping your laptop charged may be a bigger ordeal than in the library.
However, if don’t mind contending with the noise and bustle of a café and making one cup of coffee last 4 hours, cafés can offer a vibrant and comfortable space to be creative and get work done. If home-working is killing your productivity and the library is too dull or unreliable for you, maybe the café is the next best option.
Coworking
The coworking space offers a solution to the problems of working from home, as well as a solution to the problems of working in public places like cafés and libraries. The coworking space will provide freelancers with a place to be productive and focused throughout the day. Unlike a library, coworking spaces are open regularly and often until late, with some even including 24/7 access. The Wifi won’t fail and you will always find a plug to charge your laptop. Additionally, freelancers will be able to use their space as freely as they wish and will likely be surrounded by other creative spirits with whom they can collaborate, share ideas and create important connections. The improvements to productivity and morale are obvious.
The one drawback for many freelancers would certainly be the price. There is no doubt that a coworking space costs substantially more than the previous three options. It’s worth noting that the spaces are not as expensive as often imagined and for a number of reasons can be beneficial to the growth of your outfit. The networking, business and motivational opportunities simply abound, so freelancers who can afford to join a coworking should arguably jump at the chance.
However, for freelancers who simply cannot afford the monthly price, there are more flexible options worth considering. Hot-desking or contracts which give you access for a couple of days could be vital for keeping you energized and pro-active as a freelancer. Research into the coworking options in your city or town will likely be fruitful. Nowadays, there is abundance of options. Things like day passes and cafés offering cheap coworking space could be the answer for cash-strapped freelancers needing a more structured environment to work in. Just a few days in these kinds of spaces could see a marked upswing in your productivity and success.
At Longonot Place, we have brand new workspaces for you. Explore our flexible, secure, and private spaces with fast WIFI and with close proximity to the CBD. Pricing: Ksh 2000 per day
Health benefits of working out
Exercise is the miracle cure we’ve always had, but for too long we’ve neglected to take our recommended dose. Our health is now suffering as a consequence. Whatever your age, there’s strong scientific evidence that being physically active can help you lead a healthier and happier life.
People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing many long-term (chronic) conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers. Research also shows that physical activity can also boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, clinical depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Improved health
When you regularly attend a gym and are smashing the cardio and weights, you’re definitely going to see an improvement in your overall health and wellbeing. This includes a stronger, healthier heart and set of lungs and improved muscle strength – great if you want to live longer.
Working out regularly can also reduce your risk of injury and illness as well as preventing osteoporosis (bone weakness/loss). Your efforts may also lower your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes (type II).
Additionally, lifting weights regularly can be a more effective way to lose weight than only doing cardio such as running, cycling, or swimming.
There are three main reasons for this.
- Your metabolism stays higher for longer after a weights session
- Muscle regeneration. Your body uses calories to rebuild your muscles after a weights session (when your muscles ache)
- BMR. Once you have stronger muscles, you use more calories to feed them
2. Increased energy levels
Fact. Exercise increases energy levels and helps you feel more alert.
If you often feel tired throughout the day and can only dream of having the energy levels of a 5-year-old, then I’ve got news for you. Only by running and skipping around like a 5-year-old will you feel like one! Yep, all that huffing and puffing as you work out in the gym is going to improve your lung capacity, which will allow for much more oxygen to be pumped into your brain and bloodstream helping you feel more alert and ready for action (or like a 5-year-old).
In addition, regular exercise helps your blood to circulate oxygen to your muscles more efficiently giving you a heightened level of energy production.
3. Reduced hip and back pain
Suffering from crippling back pain? Start running, swimming, and stretching. By regularly working out and strengthening your hamstrings, core, lower back and overall body will improve your back pain immeasurably.
Consult a doctor first.
4. Improved balance and flexibility
What happens to our bodies as we age and what we can do to keep ourselves flexible, well-balanced, and pain-free? Well, if you don’t use it (your body), you’re going to lose it.
As we age all of our muscles and soft tissues begin to shorten and shrink and we lose a lot of elasticity so everything from the ligaments, muscles, and tendons start to shorten, contract, and tighten up (which is why old people shrink in height and appear bent over). By keeping our muscles strong and stretching (as you should be doing before and after your workout) it’s really going to help you move around without restriction and without aches or pains. What most people don’t realise is that most of their problems can be solved with just a little bit of relief from that painful area.
Naturally, when your body is stronger, more flexible, and better aligned, you’re going to benefit from better balance too.
5. Improved physique and posture
It goes without saying really, but regular exercise and strength training will (eventually) change your body shape, help you lose weight (when combined with a healthy diet), and improve your posture.
If like most middle-aged men, you sit and work at a desk all day, then you’re probably going to suffer from upper and lower back pain at some point, as well as rounded shoulders (upper crossed syndrome) too. If you don’t fix your posture and physique now, it’s only going to get worse and cause you more problems in the future.
6. Stress relief, decreased anxiety & better sleep
For reasons that are still not completely understood, research suggests that exercise can significantly improve sleep while reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
Whether it be from the action of actually tiring yourself out through exercise, a change in your body temperature, or the time that you work out, it seems that building a good workout session into your daily routine is going to help you sleep better at night – helping feel more rested during the day.
Through increased oxygen levels in the blood, endorphins, and a change in focus, exercise has been proven over and over again to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
There’s a reason why the phrase “Healthy body, healthy mind” is still going around.
7. Weight loss (or gain)
If you’re combining a healthy, balanced diet, drinking plenty of water with regular exercise at the gym, you’re more than likely going to lose weight (if that’s your goal).
Or, if like you want to improve your strength, physique, posture, and gain weight then smashing the gym is the place to work towards those goals too.
8. Better skin
Exercise stimulates blood flow and nourishes skin cells with oxygen and nutrients making your skin clearer and reducing ageing. This improved blood flow also helps carry away waste products and free radicals from working cells. Before you know it L’Oréal will be asking for your phone number!
9. The feel-good factor – Endorphins
Simply put, exercise increases the production of endorphins which is known to produce positive feelings and in general improve happiness.
Top Tourist Attractions in Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya’s capital and largest city, still conjures all the romance and adventure of its colorful colonial days. The city evolved from a humble camp for railway workers in 1899 to the capital of British East Africa by 1907.
Today, Nairobi’s rich history and tribal culture is brought to life in its excellent museums. The Karen Blixen Museum is a big hit – especially with fans of the Out of Africa book and film, who come to see where the namesake Danish author toiled on her coffee farm in the beautiful Ngong Hills.
But even in such a bustling city, wildlife is a huge draw. This cosmopolitan capital is one of the only cities in the world with a safari park in its borders. A mere 15-minute drive from the skyscrapers of the city center, you can enjoy a classic African wildlife experience at Nairobi National Park. Lion, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, rhinoceros, and buffalo roam the sun-soaked savanna here, and animal lovers can cuddle baby elephants and connect with giraffes at the excellent animal sanctuaries nearby.
Nairobi is also the gateway to the world-famous safari parks, which have captivated adventure seekers for more than a century.
- Nairobi National Park
Kenya’s first national park, Nairobi National Park lies only seven kilometers from the skyscrapers of Nairobi’s city center. A haven for wildlife, the park is also a rhino sanctuary, which protects more than 50 of these critically endangered creatures.
In addition to the rhinos, you can see lions, gazelles, buffaloes, warthogs, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and ostriches, and more than 400 species of birds have been recorded in the wetlands.
Nairobi National Park is also a famous ivory burning site. In 1989, President Moi ignited 12 tons of elephant tusks and rhino horns here, boosting the country’s conservation image on the world stage. Today, a monument marks this historic site.
The Nairobi Safari Walk is a popular attraction, offering animal lovers the chance to spot wildlife on foot, and walking trails weave around the area known as Hippo Pools.
At the park’s main gate, you can bond with orphaned baby elephants and rhinos at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
- David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
At the main gates of Nairobi National Park, this orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program is a must-see for animal lovers. Daphne Sheldrick founded the project in 1977 in memory of her late husband David, a former warden at Tsavo East National Park.
The center cares for young abandoned elephants and rhinos and works to release the animals back into the wild. You can watch these lovable creatures up close as they frolic in the mud and drink from giant baby bottles. Best of all, your entrance fee helps support the project’s conservation efforts.
If you want to help even more, consider adopting an orphaned elephant, rhino, or giraffe – you’ll receive regular updates on their progress long after you leave.
Address: Mbagathi Road, Nairobi
- Giraffe Centre
At the Giraffe Centre, on the edge of Nairobi National Park, visitors can come face to face with endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. This non-profit center lies on the grounds of the plush guesthouse, Giraffe Manor, and its main mission is to provide conservation education for children.
The visitor center displays information about these graceful creatures, and a raised platform allows you to feed them at eye level with specially prepared pellets.
This is one of the most unusual things to do around Nairobi, especially with children – photo ops with wet, gray giraffe tongues slurping little faces are priceless.
After communing with these long-lashed beauties, you can enjoy a 1.5-kilometer self-guided forest walk in the adjacent nature reserve.
Address: Langata Road, Nairobi
- Karura Forest Reserve
Are you craving some solitude near the city? You’re in luck. The beautiful Karura Forest is a cool, shady oasis just a few kilometers from the city center.
This lush green space is actually one of the largest urban forests in the world, and you’ll discover all kinds of things to see and do here. Hike to a multi-tiered 15-meter waterfall. Enjoy a picnic in the gardens. Watch monkeys clamber through the trees, or just sit quietly by Lily Lake and soak up the tranquility. Bike riding is also popular along the well-marked red-clay trails.
Wildlife also thrives here. Besides monkeys, you might also see duiker (small antelope), butterflies, and many species of birds. After all your forest adventures, sit back and relax with a snack and a drink at the open-sided river café.
- Karen Blixen Museum
One of Nairobi’s top tourist attractions, the Karen Blixen Museum, at the foot of the Ngong Hills, is the former home of the famous namesake Out of Africa author. Karen Blixen, also known by her pen name, Isak Dinesen, lived in the house from 1917 to 1931, where she ran a coffee plantation.
Today, you can tour the well-preserved colonial farmhouse, a kitchen in a separate building, a coffee-drying plant in the woodland, and an agricultural college on the grounds.
Furniture that belonged to Karen Blixen and her husband is on display, as well as photographs and books owned by Karen and her lover, Denys Finch Hatton. Enthusiastic guides bring the story of Karen Blixen and colonial Kenya to life.
Address: Karen Road, Nairobi
- Nairobi National Museum
The National Museum in Nairobi is an educational way to spend a few hours on a city stopover. The museum displays diverse cultural and natural history exhibits including more than 900 stuffed birds and mammals, fossils from Lake Turkana, ethnic displays from various Kenyan tribal groups, and exhibits of local art.
In the Geology Gallery, you can explore an impressive collection of rocks and minerals and learn about tectonic plates and the life cycle of a volcano. The Hominid Vault contains a collection of prehistoric bones and fossils, including the preserved fossil of an elephant.
At the museum, visitors can purchase combination tickets, which include entrance to the adjacent Snake Park with live specimens of Kenya’s most common reptiles.
If you’re looking for a dose of nature on your Nairobi trip, save time to stroll around the tranquil botanical gardens here after your visit.
Address: Museum Hill Road, Nairobi
- Bomas of Kenya
About 10 kilometers from Nairobi, Bomas of Kenya is a living museum celebrating the colorful tribes of Kenya. This is a great place to learn about the lifestyle, art, music, crafts, and culture of each tribe.
The complex encompasses a recreated traditional village with homesteads or bomas, each one reflecting the culture of a major ethnic group. Every afternoon, a team performs traditional dances and songs in the large theater. Audience participation makes the performances even more enjoyable.
Location: Forest Edge Road, off Langata Road, Mageso Chember
- Kazuri Beads Factory Tour
Looking for some unique souvenirs and gifts for family and friends? The Kazuri Beads Factory is a great place to shop. Best of all, you’re helping disadvantaged local women at the same time.
Kazuri means “small and beautiful” in Swahili, and these shiny, brightly colored beads surely fit the bill.
Join a free factory tour and see how local women, including many single mothers, make the beads and other pottery items from scratch. After the tour, you can purchase some to take with you, knowing you are purchasing from a World Fair Trade Organization member. Prices are relatively reasonable.
This is a great tour to combine with a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum, as the factory lies right nearby. It’s also one of the top free things to do in Nairobi, although it’s hard to leave here without buying some of these beautiful beads.
Address: Mbagathi Ridge, Karen, Nairobi
- Kenyatta International Conference Centre
Named for the Republic’s First President, Jomo Kenyatta, the distinctive cylindrical Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC) offers breathtaking 360-degree views from its rooftop viewing deck.
The building is an internationally acclaimed venue for conferences, meetings, and exhibitions, and it’s an eye-catching landmark in the city. Though not the tallest building in Kenya, it dominates the skyline with a 28-story tower overlooking a large amphitheater. Its pale terra-cotta façade recalls the color of traditional African huts, and the central plenary hall resembles the ancient Roman Senate. Zoom up to the rooftop viewing platform to take photos of the sprawling city below, and you can also enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants.
Address: Harambee Avenue, Nairobi
- Ngong Hills
“Ngong” means “knuckles” in Maasai, a fitting name since these beautiful pointed green hills resemble the back of a fist facing the sky. They are a popular place to visit close to Nairobi and provide a welcome respite from the city heat.
The Ngong Hills are the peaks of a ridge overlooking the Great Rift Valley, and many white settlers established their farms here in the early colonial days. Half-timbered houses and flowering gardens remain, but seem more suited to southern England than Africa.
Several walking trails traverse the hills, offering beautiful views of the valleys below. Wildlife is also visible in the area. Buffalo, gazelles, giraffes, bushbuck, the occasional klipspringer, and troupes of baboons are often glimpsed grazing along the roadside.
If you’re an Out of Africa fan and you’re looking for other places to visit in the Ngong Hills, stop by the grave of Denys Finch Hatton, the lover of famous Danish author, Karen Blixen. It lies on the eastern slopes, graced by an obelisk and garden.
Address: Great Rift Valley, Mageso Chember, Nairobi
- Railway Museum
The Railway Museum in Nairobi celebrates the rich history of the railroad in Kenya and its impact on the nation’s development. Among the museum’s fascinating collections are train and ship models, photographs from the original construction of the Uganda Railway, railway magazines, maps and drawings, and a silver service set used on overnight trains to Mombasa.
A collection of steam locomotives and rolling stock are also on display, including a model of the MV Liemba, built by the Germans and still in use along Lake Tanganyika.
A favorite exhibit is the carriage used during the hunt for the Maneater of Kima in 1900. Captain Charles Ryall, a colonial officer, positioned himself in the carriage to shoot a man-eating lion; unfortunately he fell asleep and was dragged out the window by the lion.
Address: Uhuru Road, Nairobi
- National Archives
You’ll find a little bit of everything about Kenya at this museum. Housed in the old Bank of India building, the National Archives spotlights Kenyan tribal culture, as well as the country’s art, history, and politics.
Paintings and artifacts from the collection of Joseph Murumbi, one of Africa’s most famous collectors, dominate the exhibits. The main floor gallery displays historical documents and a collection of photographs.
The second floor houses more art, a display of postage stamps, and the National Archives reading room, which is used for personal and professional projects.
Along with the Nairobi National Museum, this is one of the top places to visit in Nairobi on a budget, and it will broaden your understanding of Kenya’s rich history and culture.
Address: Moi Avenue, Nairobi
(Source: planetware.com)
