To tell friends that I would rather they didn't pop over immediately after work?

[FunBagFreddie]

Sorry to do another aibu.

A friend just rang up to ask if it was ok to pick a parcel up. I explained that I was just about to have a soak in the bath after work, and although I work at home freelancing, I still need my half hour or so to unwind afterwards.

I don't think he liked that, and I reckon this nice couple think I'm being off with them and rude. However, I don't think either of them would have a problem asking me to pop over another time if the situation was reversed. In fact, they would probably just say they were busy if they didn't fancy it.
I am crap at being assertive and never know whether this kind of thing is ok or not.

Lol freddie!

But what if he were late? OP's wind-down time would be pissed about for nothing.

People moan about commuting, but it really is important time built into a working day, which people working from home just don't have.

Most people don't see working from home as being the same as their work, but it actually is. I agree about the whole commute thing plutocrap. In a funny way that was my wind-down time.

Exactly. It's time in which you can"t do anything else. In my longest commute, I got through 4-5 novels a week, but that was a bit excessive, even for me!

You need to establish a boundary and cut-off point between work and home. That's very important and it's vital to your happiness and sanity, and I've learned that the hard way! Otherwise, you are basically at work 24/7 and can end up replying to emails at obscure times or working round the clock.

That half hour or so is where I draw a line, and switch into home/family mode. I really shouldn't have to justify myself to anyone though.