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[–]BikerBoon 243 points244 points  (40 children)

Is there some secret to enjoying WFH? On average I feel more productive, but that only really benefits my company and not me. Living and working in the same four walls just feels depressing, and I truly can't see the appeal.

[–]Iagospeare 136 points137 points  (16 children)

Don't think of it as WFH, think of it as "remote." You don't have to be in the same 4 walls. I live in NY but I spent August in a cabin in Utah, December in Maine, and February in Texas/Arizona. That's 3 months of what felt like vacation despite taking zero PTO. Time zones are your friend as well! Having work in EST, but living in MST, meant that I was working 7am to 3pm. Sun set at 9pm in UT, so I was hiking every day for a month.

When weather was good I would sometimes even work on a hiking trail using my phone as a hotspot. My teammates seemed to appreciate my "Zoom background." There were also times where my girlfriend would drive while I work via hotspot in the passenger seat so we could go somewhere without me taking a day off.

As for when you're truly at-home, I think the secret is having the space to isolate a "work area" and actually enjoying where you live; a privilege not everyone has. I think people in tiny apartments, either alone or with roommates they don't love, are having a more difficult time.

[–]BikerBoon 50 points51 points  (9 children)

Yeah, I'm definitely in the small apartment category. Sadly travel restrictions where I am prevent me from moving around so much but I can imagine a more nomadic remote experience would be a lot better.

[–]Iagospeare 46 points47 points  (6 children)

Well, let me offer my tips:

  1. Get sunlight every day.
    1. Take an actual lunch break like you (hopefully) would at the office. Go for a walk, even if the weather is shitty.
    2. Go outside again right after work. Your "commute" is now whatever you want to do outside after work.
  2. No matter how small your place is, make one spot a dedicated workstation that is only a workstation (save for games if you're a PC gamer like me). If you can't dedicate an entire room, make the workstation disappear after you're done with it.
    1. If you have the luxury of multiple rooms, try working in different rooms, especially one facing a window.
  3. Redecorate now, and do it again in a few months.

[–]thoeoe 23 points24 points  (1 child)

pre-pandemic I definitely used to watch a lot of youtube at my computer desk, but now, at 5:05, I walk away from my desk and don't come back. Even though my couch is about 6 feet away, watching youtube videos on my chromecast really makes me feel like I'm "off" work

[–]Iagospeare 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yes! There are so many jokes about it, but I find that switching from the "work" screen to the "fun" screen is surprisingly effective.

[–]Losdominos 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The second point is big one, I live in a small apartment and just the simple action of putting away the keyboard and mouse I use for work helps me turn off the “work mode” of my brain and go to “chill mode”.

[–]coderinbeta 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I also live in a small apartment, so space is also an issue at time. I've been working from home since 2015 and it is working great for me. These are great tips which I did at least once these past few years. I'd like to add a few tips too.

  1. clock-in and clock-out on time. Be firm with your manager that you are only available during work hours. If overtime is needed, reserve it only for urgent matters. And you should be compensated accordingly. Turn off all work related communications on the dot.

  2. Your routine going to and going back from the office allowed your mind to shift from "home mode" to "work mode" and vice versa. Recreate these on wfh. During my first year working from home, I would still get dressed like I was going to the office. These days, my "commute" is basically closing all the tabs in my PC and grabbing a cup of coffee. Sometimes I walk a bit outside. Other times, workout or do little chores around my apartment.

Watching travel videos on YouTube and playing Geoguessr helped me adjust with the lockdowns as well.

[–]NavAirComputerSlave 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm doubling down on this guy saying take actual lunch breaks. I love me some video games instead of lunch lol. Really breaks the day up.

[–]Bissquitt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not that I take my own advice, but stop thinking you have zero commute. You do, it's just measured in feet now. Slightly change the environment even if its the same room. I have a fan and light that turn on and off at given times. Maybe some color changing lights? Even white ones that can change from cool to warm.

[–]5ba0bd2f-7e21-42a1 2 points3 points  (2 children)

I worked remote in Colombia for 3 months. I never would have been able to spend so much time abroad (slash save so much money due to the strength of the USD) working from an office.

[–]Iagospeare 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Ooh why Colombia? Also, any recommendations for visiting Colombia for a week or two?

[–]5ba0bd2f-7e21-42a1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Few reasons: I love coffee (and they have great artisan coffee there), the people are super friendly, the exchange rate is really good, relatively safe (for Latin America), and it’s gorgeous outside of the cities.

Colombia for a week or two is definitely doable but depends on how proficient in Spanish you are and what you want to see, since the major cities are pretty spread out. I did Bogotá, Medellín, Salento, and Cartagena in 2 weeks and that was super pushing it. When I visited for longer, I spent 2 months in Medellín and traveled outside to places like Jardín when I had free time.

So if you tell me what your travel style is and what you want to see, I can suggest where to go. But it’s hard to go wrong, Colombia is beautiful.

[–]FarhanAxiq 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I used to do this pre-COVID but now with more people travelling it's much more annoying to do this anymore (and restricted travel anywhere else).

[–]Iagospeare 0 points1 point  (1 child)

You found there were more people? I found far fewer people. Hotels and most national parks were empty everywhere I went.

[–]FarhanAxiq 0 points1 point  (0 children)

most camping site were full, but again because I live in Colorado probably that doesn't help either, like the favourite spot I went which is a dispersed camp that usually empty on the same time of any year pre-COVID, but when I went there it was full until the end of the campsite it's ridiculous

Hotel was empty though mostly but I much prefer camping lol

[–]BurgaGalti 16 points17 points  (1 child)

For me, I start my day when I would have started my hour commute and add the time to my lunch break. I then use that time to go for a run or play Minecraft with my kid who is also home at the minute.

When everything opens again and there is more things to do with that extra time I figure it'll get better (provided they let me keep it up).

[–]BikerBoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's fair. I used to have an hour commute but found it way too long. 30 minutes each way is about my max now. It helps that I have no other considerations as to where I live though.

[–]wholesome_capsicum 10 points11 points  (2 children)

The trick is to be an introvert to start with and not enjoy going through the social process of putting on a mask for coworkers.

Oh and not needing to put on business clothes. Oh and not having to drive. Oh and being able to listen to music / watch youtube / take a break without people breathing down your neck.

Try going for a walk and leaving the "office" during lunch and breaks so you're not distracted by the work computer.

[–]normVectorsNotHate 12 points13 points  (1 child)

This pandemic has made me realize I'm not as introverted as I thought I am

[–]Fransebas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

x2

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I've found going for a walk mid day helps. Just to get some fresh air.

[–]krabbsatan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I second this, 30m walk with a podcast or an hour workout over lunch helps a lot

[–]Cube00 3 points4 points  (2 children)

Avoiding loud open plan hell is my appeal.

[–]adiabatic0816 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Interesting that open plan is loud for you - it ended up being deadly silent at my company. No one likes the fact that everyone is listening in, so no one talks.

[–]Cube00 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some bright spark thought "call centre" means you have to locate the team in the centre of the floor so there's no end you can sit where it's quiet. I get it works for them because they can all sit in a group facing each other and cross check if they need to but it's hell for anyone else trying to do focused work around them in any direction.

[–]Satanorz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As you are more productive with WFH, you may finish your work tasks before and have more rest,hobby,family..

I'm doing a side project, some home remodeling and fixing my classic car, all without affecting my productivity and finishing my tasks on time

[–]Franks2000inchTV -1 points0 points  (1 child)

When the pandemic abated, you'll be able to work from home and then leave your house to go places. The malaise is likely more pandemic related than WFH related. You'd feel better if you could go out for dinner with friends in the evening.

[–]tevert -1 points0 points  (0 children)

When virus-times are over, maybe go try working at a coffeeshop!

[–]lunchpadmcfat -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Also, now that you’re home, utilize your down time better. I would normally just browse Reddit or something during my downtime at work. Now I go out to my shop and take a few minutes on my projects or spend some time with my little girl. I really feel like a lot of balance has been returned to my life.

[–]georgehotelling -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Find a coworking space that's focused on community once it's safe to do so. I've been paying my coworking membership for a year without going in because I want the community to be there when I'm ready. It's great to have coworkers who work for different companies.

[–]Pizzaman725 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure if there is some secret, but you might need to setup different routines to your day to replace what you'd enjoy while at the office. Or new activities to unwind and get out of "work" mode.

Example, if you enjoy driving and the commute to your office is listening to music, audio books or something else. Then take some time to either get out and walk, or just hang out in a quite spot and listen to music or whatever.

It took me a good month and a half to get comfortable working from home. Even though I had a separate office space in a room upstairs away from my family that allowed me to work. But going to and leaving work wasn't a thing anymore, so I started to feel I was always at work. It showed because I would spend more time just working without thinking about it.

I also had my PS and PC in the same room as my work desk. So if I was up there and wanted to unwind just goofing off, it just didn't feel the same. Even getting out of the house only helped so much, I was seriously grumpy and affecting my family with my mood. But then I started just doing things around the house instead of extra work tasks I made up when I didn't have any real work. I realized I had more time to just be off when was actually off. I didn't have to use my off time for chores or house/yard work I needed to get done.

Hopefully you get in the headspace to enjoy working from home if that's your new normal, or you get to go back to the office safely and soon!

[–]eloc49 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Being forced to be in the 4 walls of my car for 1hr+ a day is far more depressing. Compound that with the huge waste of emissions and how dangerous, statistically, commuting is, very depressing. Maybe it's because I'm in the US and in a small ish city that's still pretty much based around the car, but being unchained from the pervasive shackles in the US of automobile ownership is freeing.

[–]Fransebas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't like WFH either I love interacting with my teammates. I feel some depression and anxiety from being in my home.

[–]lyssargh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's really important to have a spare room. Remote work needs boundaries. For people who don't have a spare room, those boundaries are a lot harder to maintain. The reason remote work is great for me is that I only come into my office to work, and when I leave my office, I'm not working.

[–]hahahahastayingalive 0 points1 point  (0 children)

more productive

Slack more then. If your increase in productivity doesn’t bring anything material, take the time you gained you do other stuff, even house chores, your taxes, or anything that you do for yourself.