WFH is depressing me
Pretty rare opinion, but WFH is not for me. Don’t want to go into details but we’ve been made permanent wfh for the foreseeable future until we acquire new office space. Being stuck at home with no delineation between work and my personal life is driving me crazy. I can’t concentrate, I can’t get anything done, and I don’t find enjoyment in the things I used to like doing when i got back home from work. In essence, the routine I had is completely gone. I don’t know what to do I feel so lost.
Sorry, don’t mean to sound dramatic but everything’s just a blur now.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, it seems like you're not alone in feeling this way. Many people have found the transition to permanent WFH challenging, especially when it comes to separating work and personal life. Here are some strategies that might help:
Take a deep breath: It's easy to feel like you need to be "on" all the time when working from home. Try to develop a mindset that most things can wait 10 minutes. This can help reduce stress and improve focus.
Incorporate physical activity into your routine: Whether it's a morning stretching routine, a walk to pick up lunch, or a late-night workout, physical activity can help clear the mind and create a sense of routine.
Invest in your home: Make your home as comfortable and convenient as possible. This could involve upgrading your workspace, buying healthy snacks, or investing in fitness equipment.
Host friends: If it's safe to do so, consider hosting friends or family. Social interaction can help break up the monotony of WFH.
Remember, it's okay to feel overwhelmed and it's okay to take breaks. You're navigating a challenging situation, and it's important to take care of your mental health.
Sources: Life Hacks during WFH | How do you avoid burnout?, Life Hacks during WFH | How do you avoid burnout?, WFH Should be the Default in IB
- Workout a couple times per day
- Get a solid routine going
- Feel free to cook your own food at home - it can be healthy and fun
- Take breaks whenever
- Binge watch Netflix or Amazon prime while working
- Jam out to your favorite music
- Maybe workout again
- Go to cool cafes and if you’re a regular there, you’ll start to meet new people over time
workout a couple times a DAY?
The delineation is what I struggled with the most. I could still see my workspace after logging off and hitting the couch. Idk, just mentally couldn't find myself switching off with that in my eyeline. Actually made me appreciate my commute.
I also really missed the social interactions, bullpen banter and the like.
What helped me was taking advantage of the downtime during the day, like between calls and such to make lunch/dinner, get in a quick workout, watch a clip of something on Netflix. Little mini breaks during the day. Took a little getting used to but kept me sane.
I bought my place in covid, but I messed up not getting a larger place where I could set up a working area that's not my bedroom so I could delineate better. Agree with other things like being able to work out at off-peak times and get some errands done during the day. Ideally, I'd be in the office 2-3 days a week if it were up to me.
nice try dear MD, nice try...
Freelancers rent out shared office space just to go in and work rather than staying at home. Look into that
I recommend this . Ask your employer to pay for a wework space or similar
I'm generally in the same boat. Time to adjust. I think the key here is to get out of your place. Not sure if you're into fitness, but I personally pay for a (more expensive than necessary) gym membership solely because there are other attractive people there, which makes me want to workout hard, and it's a commute from my place that gets me out - which is the key point here. If not into fitness or hate working out, then go for a walk. Without knowing what your hobbies are I cant recommend much else. I typically walk, run, or golf in the summer and walk, run, ski, or play hockey in the winter (I'm trash at all of these things, yes I'm trash at walking, but they all get me breathing fresh air which is what its all about).
I also recently had an uber driver who was a ex O&G megafund PE guy. I asked him what the hell he was doing driving my drunk ass home from the bar at 3am. He said it helps him clear his mind and he can operate whenever he wants. Very respectable and I'm sure it helps his mental health a lot, so that's another route you could explore.
If you share some hobbies/characteristics about yourself I can keep giving my two cents. Feel free to PM me too if you just want to chat - I know this feeling and know it can be brutal.
Did you ever verify that Uber driver on LinkedIn? Just to see if he was bullshittin you or not?
I am not the biggest wfh guy either. I've heard of people renting out weworks for that reason, maybe you could do that since it's just temporary. Perhaps your employer would pay for it?
Grass is always greener.
Apart from comments above about getting a workout every day, I'd also move the work setup out of the bedroom. Helped me a lot
Other things are also:
- Get a wireless headset. So during calls where you don't need to participate you can make tea/coffee and do minor things. I find even these micro movements make you feel more active when you WHM
- Get an adjustable desk to switch between standing and seated positions (bought mine from Fully a while Back and love it)
I agree did an in person internship over the summer and did remote during the school year. I missed the connection to the team from over the summer. Felt kinda left out as well.
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