Any one find working from home just so boring?

[Zipfer]

As a caveat, I know it's great that I have been able to work through the pandemic.

I'm finding my work right now just so very boring. It's a desk-based job, and every day sitting down at the desk for 8 hours every day has become mind-numbingly dull. The work itself is quite interesting, but I really struggle with the motivation, and I can end up wasting time on the internet (e.g. posting on MN). Anyone else?

Yes here too! I'm really looking forward to getting back to the office, will only be 1 day a week but hoping it makes me feel more connected again.

Yup I hate it. Luckily I'm back at work a few days a week, but on my days at home (like today) I get really bored and a bit sad.

Today so far I've made some smoked mackerel pate, run a few errands on my bike, shampooed the dog and washed one of my DC's sheets. I'm about to de-slug the lawn too.

SO much more productive (from my employer's POV!) when I'm at work.

Yes! I've always enjoyed work and my career but I've just got to the point now where I zero interest in it. It all seems so pointless when I'm sitting in the house all day.

Yep ... don't know what I would have done without MN to be honest.

Can I have one of these jobs where you can Mnet, get paid and be bored?
What do you all do, I'm looking for a lazy job.

I found this happened to me when I WFH pre pandemic. Got more and more meh about work. Just wasn’t sustainable for me.

I was wfh pre pandemic then just got an office job before lockdown. Wahoo. The gift that keeps on giving.

I have come up with a LOT of strategies. I must say Alexa play happy dance music at least once a day. I don't take a long lunch break as it kills motivation, I take 3 shorter breaks/walks,the plus side of which I basically get to eat ALL day. It also splits the day better. On my 3rd currently. The work has to get done so I can't really avoid.

@gillysSong I write a lot of reports.

I've just introduced a Work Only Policy at my desk i.e. no mobile. I do the work but it eats into my free time otherwise.

I'm a fan of the pomodoro technique (work for 25 minutes, stop for 5), working for 25 minutes, etc), trying to have calm music on in the background.

Nope, I love it. No commute, no nasty/nosy colleagues, more freedom to make my own schedule.
Now I can play with my dogs instead of rushing home to deal with the dogs on a lunch break.
I love having the ability to cook a proper lunch instead of a crowded staffroom with a single microwave. I love being able to dress how I want which saves money on dry cleaning, make up.. My hair looks lovely because I've used less heat and products now because I don't have to style for a rainy commute. I can have the temperature how I want instead of being constantly freezing because everyone else is hot. I can have my music on as loud as I please. I can work from a coffee shop, in the garden in the sun.. Plus if I work quickly I can basically finish early. Its heaven.

I love it!!
I currently have to go in for a few hours a week but the rest of the time I'm at home. I'd never set foot in the office again if I had the chance!

I found working in the office boring. Staring at the same white walls and miserable colleagues day in an out. I liked my colleagues but the job was tough at that time and everyone was unhappy/stressed etc. Same boring 2.5 hours commuting every day. Fighting for a seat (used to get the tube, plus bus, plus walk!). Finding I hadn’t brought any lunch in again so going to the same boring Tesco metro (the only place nearby). Nope, working from home is much more fun!

Now I get to spend lots of time with my cats. I can work in the garden if the weathers nice. I get back that 2.5 hrs a day to spend as I please. If I’m tired I can nap! I can eat what I like at lunchtime. If I decide I just want a big piece of cake no one will be looking saying “is that what you’re having for lunch?!” oh and as a smoker I can have a cigarette whenever I want!

Love it

No commute
No noisy colleagues
Can go cycling on lunch break
Get to spend more time with DC as no time wasted on commute

Can do washing etc on lunch breaks so not doing piles at the weekend

Love love love it

I lack focus at times and get distracted easily

[quote MistySkiesAfterRain]@gillysSong I write a lot of reports.

I've just introduced a Work Only Policy at my desk i.e. no mobile. I do the work but it eats into my free time otherwise.[/quote]
You must be very motivated.
I'm just setting up a business, but not used to working for hours. I must improve my stamina.
Sounds like a great way of getting your work done, I shall steal this.

Can I just ask how you would know if there's an emergency, daft question, I know. Thinking of stealing your idea, but I'm also a carer for my dh.

@SirenSays

Nope, I love it. No commute, no nasty/nosy colleagues, more freedom to make my own schedule. Now I can play with my dogs instead of rushing home to deal with the dogs on a lunch break. I love having the ability to cook a proper lunch instead of a crowded staffroom with a single microwave. I love being able to dress how I want which saves money on dry cleaning, make up.. My hair looks lovely because I've used less heat and products now because I don't have to style for a rainy commute. I can have the temperature how I want instead of being constantly freezing because everyone else is hot. I can have my music on as loud as I please. I can work from a coffee shop, in the garden in the sun.. Plus if I work quickly I can basically finish early. Its heaven.

Exact same for me too. I also love that I get a lie in, can slouch on the couch and watch telly in my lunch hour and I sit on the couch when having Teams meetings all lovely and cosy. I just feel like my quality of life is so much better. I go in once a week and enjoy seeing colleagues but I'd be quite happy to continue like this forever. I work in a uni so not sure what will happen come September so enjoying it while it lasts.

Love working from home. I did it a few days a week pre covid too though so Im used to it.

It does help that I have a very varied job which I love and that I have DH here with me who works for the same organisation albeit a in different department so its good to have someone here to have a moan with about the latest annoying all staff email etc.

I’ve worked from home for the past 6 years. It’s been so incredibly good for my mental health!!! I could never go back to a 9-5 in an office. We have an in person team meeting one week and one on zoom the next. It’s perfect and I work so much harder knowing that I never want to lose a job that lets me WFH!

@gillysSong even just shoving it in a drawer. Do you have a landline? I also use some of the phones settings. Mine has a focus mode where I can only use a few selected apps. I try not to use those complicated blocking apps as invariably I end up over riding it. The responsbility sits with me ultimately so its just putting a few barriers in the way to nudge me.

Have you heard of/tried Focus Mate? I do a few sessions on there a week.

@gillysSong Im guessing that you need to be available at short notice for your dh so that must be tough. On days when I take more breaks I just focus on trying to put the hours in even if its not 9-5, e.g. between 7 and 7, although sticking to 9-5ish is ideal.

Ooh, thanks for the tips, that's great. it will go in a drawer. I can always just check in between jobs, and be motivated not to look at it any other time.
I will have a look at focus mate, I'm sure that's more of my problem than caring for dh, if I'm honest. The two together though and I'm getting nothing done.

Less boring than the three-hour daily commute.

I love it. I’ve been wfh since last March and we’ve been told we’ll only be going back once a month post Covid. Strategies that work for me are - a quick walk and getting the washing out/dishwasher emptied before logging on (so it doesn’t distract me), leaving my phone on, but not near me so I’d hear it ring but I’m not distracted; lunchtime workouts,; a mid afternoon 10min break for snacking/wandering around the house. At work people would distract me ALL the time with random chat so I don’t beat myself up for taking small breaks.

I hate it. It’s handy, maybe once a week, but no more!

I am looking forward to going back a couple of days a week but do love wfh. My Saturdays are so much more relaxing as can get housework and garden mowed in lunch hours and before and after work instead of travelling. Putting on a wash whilst working etc Keep on top of things more.