> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://blog.annabyang.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Must-Haves for My Home Office - URL: https://blog.annabyang.com/freelance-home-office/ - Published: 2025-05-19T15:15:49.000Z - Updated: 2026-03-13T07:56:23.000Z - Description: The things in my workspace that make me happy. - Author: Anna Burgess Yang - Tags: Freelancing 101, #medium-orangejournal I've been working from home for more than 15 years. But most of that time was spent working for an employer; I've only been self-employed for the past two years. When I was working for an employer, a lot of my home office supplies were provided to me, like a laptop. Now that I work for myself, I get to make my own decisions — not only about computer equipment, but also how I organize my day and get work done. Here are the things in my home office that I can't live without. ## A vertical second monitor I've worked with a second monitor for a long time. Being able to have research, notes, or email open on one monitor while working on the other monitor eliminates a lot of flipping back and forth between different tabs. When my employer gave me a laptop, I had my laptop screen, plus a large second monitor attached. Now that I provide my own equipment, I have a Mac mini with a large monitor and a second, **vertical** monitor. Most people think of monitors in a horizontal orientation and two monitors create a larger horizontal space. I bought a monitor that can be flipped to a vertical orientation and I'm MUCH happier. First, it takes up less space on my desk. Second, a lot of the apps I use make more sense with more vertical space on the screen than horizontal space. For example, reading an article doesn't benefit from horizontal space — it benefits from vertical space (less scrolling). Or I can have Slack open and see more channels and more of the feed. Not only am I saving the back-and-forth with a second monitor, but I have less scrolling with a vertical monitor. [Solopreneur Tech Support: How to Manage on Your OwnTech tips and things you need to do to protect your business.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/e9/fee9a30d-4c70-4bd2-af95-fe6abc8afd29/content/images/icon/annabyang-logo-light-orange-93.png)Anna Burgess YangAnna Burgess Yang![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/e9/fee9a30d-4c70-4bd2-af95-fe6abc8afd29/content/images/thumbnail/annabyang-solopreneur-tech-support-1.jpg)](https://blog.annabyang.com/solopreneur-tech-support/) ## Virtual co-working Self-employment can be *really* lonely, especially if you don't have a lot of client meetings. When I worked for an employer, I was in [constant communication](https://blog.annabyang.com/instant-communication-in-the-workplace/) with my colleagues. We sent emails, used a chat tool, and even hopped on the phone when needed (this was before video calls were a thing). Now, it's just me for most of the day. I'll occasionally go to a coffee shop, but I also enjoy virtual co-working. I have a membership to [Flow Club](https://www.flow.club/?ref=blog.annabyang.com), which offers virtual co-working sessions. You join a session with other people and work together for a specific amount of time (anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours). Some sessions have verbal check-ins, while others are purely for uninterrupted deep work. Either way, you see other people on the screen working "beside you," which helps with accountability. ## Planning and organization tools Working for a company often means that you use the tools the company dictates — such as project management tools, time tracking tools, etc. As a solopreneur, you get to choose your own tools. And while apps aren't necessarily a "home office" product, I have one thing that I use in my business: a giant paper calendar on my wall. I usually have an idea of the client work I'll complete within a month, but it's never definitive until I get a project brief. I use the paper calendar to plan out my bandwidth (and Trello once the project is more concrete). The visual of the paper calendar is very helpful as I talk to clients about additional work throughout the month. I also love the [Ugmonk analog system](https://ugmonk.com/annabyang?ref=blog.annabyang.com) *\[affiliate link\]*. Every day, I write down the day's plan on one of the notecards, broken down into blocks of time, like this: - 9:00 - 10:00: Blog post - 10:00 - 10:30: Check emails - 10:30 - 11:30: Client outline - 1:00 - 3:30: Client deliverable I could add these [blocks of time](https://blog.annabyang.com/tackle-your-to-do-list-with-time-blocking/) to my Google calendar, but I like having it on the notecard so I can look at it during the day. Plus, I cross off the tasks as they're completed. ## A walking pad As a freelance writer, my days are a lot less structured than they were when I was working for an employer. I have more time to do non-work things during the day, like exercise. I have a walking pad in my office, so I can take a walk even when the weather is bad. I have a standing desk with a walking pad underneath. I don't do anything brain-intensive while walking, but I can usually manage something like engaging with people on social media (which is part of my [marketing strategy](https://blog.annabyang.com/solopreneur-content-strategy/)). It's an easy task to do while walking. ## Access to coffee and tea If you *really* want your home office to feel like a corporate office, add a coffee pot. In all seriousness, I love having easy access to coffee and hot water during the day. I have a coffee pot and a hot water kettle within reach. I also use an [Ember Mug](https://ember.com/products/ember-mug-2?variant=30843977760853&ref=blog.annabyang.com) to keep my tea hot for hours while I'm working at my desk. It seems like a small thing, but having coffee and tea within reach makes it easier for me to maintain focus while I'm writing (versus getting up and walking to the kitchen, which is a distraction). ## A mechanical keyboard I write for hours every day — both for my clients and for my own purposes (like this blog!). A mechanical keyboard has a satisfying *clackity-clack* sound as I type. It's reminiscent of my childhood, when I did my earliest writing on my grandfather's old typewriter in my room. Whatever type of work you do, I encourage you to add *something* to your home office that feels luxurious or reminds you of why you love your work. ## Make your home office a space where you can do your best work The tools and setup of my freelance home office make my workspace both functional and enjoyable. I love being in my office, because it feels like *my space*. Your home office doesn't have to be fancy — but it should work for you. I'm always looking for new ways to fine-tune my setup so I can be as focused and productive as possible. One of the best parts of being self-employed is that *you* get to decide how [best to get your work done](https://blog.annabyang.com/control-your-schedule/). Your home office should reflect that. --- *Check out my free guide:* [*17 Smart Tools Solopreneurs Need to Start, Grow, and Scale*](https://products.annabyang.com/l/smart-tools-solopreneurs-need?ref=blog.annabyang.com).