The Hidden Challenges of Remote Work (and How to Stay Balanced)
Practical ways to stay grounded, connected, and emotionally healthy while working from home.
You've landed your first remote position - congratulations! Remote work (sometimes called work-from-home, or WFH) can be incredible. No more time spent commuting, no more money spent on gas, and no more work pants (does anyone else use a "business up top, comfort on the bottom" approach to dressing for their remote work, or is that just me?) Finally, you can work from anywhere, hang out with your pet, and pick a cool coffee shop to work in for part of the day. What a dream, right?
Welllll.......yes and no. Remote work has its downsides, and these should be considered (ideally) before accepting the position. Remote work can increase feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially when compared to on-site workers, according to a study cited by Forbes.
Be clear on expectations with chores
If you live with another person who works an in-person job, make sure there is a discussion around chores. Tasks that may have been split one way, when both of you were out of the home, may now be divided up differently. It can be quite easy to fall into the assumption that the person WFH will do more chores (laundry, cleaning, etc.) How you decide to divide up the labor is up to you - just make sure it is discussed and not assumed.
Have a designated work space - IF YOU CAN.
This tip may come from a privileged place, since not everyone has a spare room. However, even without a whole extra room, designating a corner or even a chair as your "space" can be helpful in staying organized and in getting in and out of "work mode" mentally.
Set Boundaries
With your phone at your fingertips and your laptop glowing at you from the corner, it can be easy to fall into a pattern of checking your emails and messages nonstop. The result can be an inability to adequately rest and reset. Remote workers are more likely to report a lack of enjoyment in usual activities, as they are more likely to engage in work-related tasks throughout the day.
Schedule social time
As a remote worker of 3 years now, here's something that surprised me: how much I missed having coworkers. Yes, even annoying coworkers. I didn't realize how much value coworkers brought to my life until I no longer had coworkers. Working on-site (usually) means you're around people. You're receiving valuable input in real time - tone, volume, body language, eye contact, hand gestures. Even if you don't like some of your coworkers, being around them helps keep your social skills sharp. Working from home, it can be easy to slip into full-on hermit mode. This can feel refreshing at first, but can lead to feelings of isolation and detachment later on. Without the socialization that work used to provide, it is important to make sure you find that socialization elsewhere. Go to a park or a gym, talk to the cashier, meet up with a friend....just be around real people in real life.
Find rituals
Have a ritual, big or small, to indicate the beginning AND end of your work day. Maybe it's stretching, maybe it's jogging in place for a minute, maybe it's writing an intention for your work day at the beginning and an intention for your leisure time at the end. When I worked in an office, the drive to and from work was part of the ritual. Any negativity that spilled over from work could be pondered on my drive home. Now, I need to find something that helps me get out of my work mindset and give myself permission to turn my attention to my personal life.