Feeling unmotivated and blah? Adding little pockets of joy to your workday can actually make you more productive. Here are 10 things I do to make my day more exciting, playful, and fun.

Working remotely as a virtual assistant has so many perks—flexibility, comfort, and no stressful commutes. But let’s be real: some days, it can feel like a grind. The routine, the solitude, the never-ending to-do list—it can zap the joy out of the work you once loved.

Whenever I start feeling unmotivated and blah, I know I need to infuse my day with a little bit more joy. This not only makes the day more enjoyable, but it also increases my productivity!

In this post, I’ll cover a few ways you can bring more fun, lightness, and even a little play into your workday every day or whenever you need it.

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10 Ways to Add More Joy to Your Workday as a Virtual Assistant

1.) Start the Day with Something You Enjoy

I make sure to start every day with something I enjoy. Currently, this is having a cup of coffee and watching Unsellable Houses on HTV. I enjoy watching Leslie and Lyndsay turn homes that are meh 🫤 into something gorgeous 😍. And my favorite part is when they stage the homes.

During this time I tell myself that work or even thinking about work doesn’t start until I have my me time. This sets boundaries and reminds me not to stress as soon as I wake up.

💃 So, instead of rolling straight from bed to your desk, create a small morning ritual that makes you happy. A slow cup of coffee, reading a few pages of a novel, a short walk outside, or even a few minutes of stretching can shift your mindset from, “ugh, work” to, “OK, let’s do this!”

2.) Create a Joyful Workspace

My workspace includes things that make me happy—plants, a cute rainbow sprinkles coffee mug, a cute cat calendar, a pink planner, and a unicorn mouse pad. These things bring me joy and lighten my mood. I also like to curl up with a soft blanket when it’s colder outside, which makes me feel comforted and cozy.

💃 If your office or desk feels dull, your energy will reflect that. Add things that make you happy, like flowers, cozy lighting, or a candle, and use colors that put you in a good mood.

3.) Switch Up Your Lunch

I normally have a salad or something healthy for lunch, but sometimes I want something different. Something fun to lighten a heavy day and put me in a good mood.

For me, this might mean having cheese and crackers with a side of fresh strawberries with whipped cream or ordering in and having someone else prepare my meal. My VA, Becky, likes getting chicky nuggies, sweet tea, and a cookie from Chick-fil-A.

💃 Need inspiration? What were your favorite foods when you were a kid?

Did you love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, mac and cheese, pancakes, or dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets? If you find yourself feeling meh, why not revisit one of your childhood lunch favorites? Talk about uplifting and fun!

4.) Dress for Your Mood

I prefer wearing comfy clothes when I work, like joggers and a tee or even P.J.s, but some days I like to switch it up and maybe wear a colorful dress or put rainbow hair clips in my hair to make the workday more fun.

💃 Working remotely doesn’t mean you have to wear the same boring clothes every day. Why not try a new color of lipstick, put on that gypsy skirt that’s hiding in the back of your closet, or let your inner 13-year-old pick out your clothes for the day?

Wearing an outfit you love or adding a fun accessory, like a pair of statement earrings, has the power to really lift your spirits!

5.) Plan Your Schedule Around Your Energy Levels

I highly recommend planning your day according to your energy levels, especially if you’re an introvert.

For example, after breakfast, I’m ready to jump into projects that require the most brain power. As the day goes on and my energy dwindles, I like to switch to something else that’s productive but matches my low energy.

This reduces the amount of “pushing” I have to do and makes my workday so much more enjoyable. It also helps prevent burnout.

💃 Take note of how you feel throughout the day for a week and see where there are patterns. Are you sleepier in the morning or energized? Do you prefer to start work early in the day or in the afternoon? Get to know yourself and your energy levels, match your tasks, and you’ll be in flow, baby!

6.) Work Somewhere Else

When I feel blah or can’t get into the working mood, sometimes all I need to do is switch up where I’m working. Instead of my desk, I usually hop into bed and work from my laptop. It’s amazing how much it helps me get motivated!

If you’re feeling bored or if every day is feeling like the same ol same ol, switch things up!

💃 Try working in a different room, visiting a coffee shop, or even working from a cozy corner of your home instead of your desk. Changing your surroundings can really change your energy and make you feel good!

7.) Add Bursts of Joy

When I’m having one of those days where I’m on the struggle bus and can’t get off, I like to add little bursts of joy throughout my day to keep me going.

This might be spending a few minutes creating an outfit collage on ShopLook, browsing Zillow for a new home, or just mindlessly looking out a window.

💃 In what ways can you add little pockets of joy to your day that won’t distract you from working but instead keep you going? Some ideas: taking a walk outside, doodling, or meditating.

8.) Do Some Daydreaming

Sometimes taking myself out of the mundane can make me feel inspired and motivated.

Daydreaming is something we do as kids all the time, so why not add some daydreaming to your days? I like to think about living somewhere where there are 4 seasons rather than one (which is summer), taking a vacation somewhere and what I’ll do there, or coming up with new business ideas.

💃 What you daydream about is up to you. Maybe you imagine how to make your life better, like finding someone to do the housework while you put your feet up or quitting your day job and working from home, or maybe you dream about riding off on a rainbow-colored unicorn with a hunky guy. 😉 It’s up to you!

9.) Connect with Other VAs

I enjoy using WhatsApp to stay connected with my VA friends. We like sharing our ups and downs, funny GIFS, and checking on each other.

💃 Even if you love working alone as I do, staying connected to others in your industry can add joy to your workday and make you feel less isolated. If you’re looking for some VA friends, check out the Introvert VA Club. We have an amazing community where you can hang out and be yourself.

10.) End the Day on a Good Note

Just like a morning ritual can set the tone, an evening ritual can help you leave work behind. I like to write down my priorities for the next day, tidy up my desk, turn off my computer, and sit in bed and watch videos.

💃 How do you want to end your day? Some ideas are to write down what went well, close your laptop with intention, and do something that signals “work is done”—whether that’s making a cup of tea, watching your favorite show, or stretching out on the couch with a book.

Too Busy to Add Joy to Your Day?

If you’re saying, “Billie, these suggestions are great and all, but I don’t have time to breathe, let alone daydream!” then it sounds like you need to specialize, increase your rates, offer VIP Days, or hire help! Which is a really good thing!

Now, Go Add Some Joy to Your Day!

Making money doing something you enjoy is the ultimate definition of success, but sometimes you need a little help getting motivated or out of a rut. Try adding small pockets of joy, play, and lightness to your workday and see how it shifts your feelings.

Start small and see what works for you. The more joy you bring to your work, the more sustainable (and enjoyable) your business will become.

And don’t forget to regularly visit your why to remember the reasons why you started your business in the first place. It can help you reignite that passion you had in the beginning.