Surviving the Veranda: How to Balance WFH with Jamaican Family Life & The Heat
We see the pictures on Instagram: a calm, aesthetic desk with a small plant and a cup of coffee.
Then there is the reality of working from home in Jamaica. The neighbour is playing dancehall at full volume at 10 AM. The sun is blazing through the window. Your mommy is calling you to come look at something in the yard because she "forgot" you are at work.
Working from home is a blessing, but let’s not pretend it doesn't come with challenges. Here is how to survive the chaos and protect your peace.
1. The "Closed Door" Rule
In a Jamaican household, a closed door usually means you are sleeping or hiding. You need to retrain your family. The Strategy: Have a serious family meeting. Explain that when the door is closed (or when you have the headset on), you are at work.
Pro Tip: If you don't have a separate office room, create a "Do Not Disturb" sign for your desk. It sounds silly, but it works.
2. Battling the Heat
It is 2026, and the sun is not playing. Working in a hot room makes you sluggish and sleepy. The Strategy:
Cross Ventilation: If you don't have AC, position your desk between a window and a door to catch the draft.
The Wet Rag Trick: Keep a damp face towel in the fridge/freezer. During your 15-minute break, put it on your neck. It resets your body temperature instantly.
Hydrate: Coffee is great, but water is essential. Dehydration gives you headaches, and you can't focus with a headache.
3. The "Soundtrack" of Jamaica
Roosters. Bikes. Sound systems. The Strategy:
Krisp.ai: We mentioned this in Part 1, but it bears repeating. This software is a lifesaver. It cuts out the background noise so your client only hears your voice.
Control What You Can: You can't stop the neighbour's music, but you can invest in decent noise-cancelling headphones for yourself, so you don't lose focus.
4. The JPS Anxiety
Nothing spikes your blood pressure like seeing the fan slow down in the middle of a shift. The Strategy: Preparation kills anxiety.
Keep your laptop charged 100% at all times.
Have your Digicel/Flow data plan topped up before the wifi goes out.
When you know you have backups in place, you stop staring at the modem light every 5 minutes and actually get work done.
🥗 Lunch Break is for YOU
Don't spend your lunch hour doing house chores. You are at work. If you were in an office in New Kingston, you wouldn't be washing clothes on your lunch break. Take that hour to step outside, eat some fruit, or just breathe. Protect your mental health. The emails will still be there when you get back.
Walk good.
