To not want to continue working from home all the time.

[Paty75]

I don't have the option to go to an office anymore and I am so tired of working from home all the time, I feel I can't never completely disconnect mentally from the house and the kids. I guess I need to find another job as this is really getting me down. How are other people copping?

I do get out and do other things for myself and go to a coffee shop every now and again but it is not the same as going to an office and leaving the childcare to someone else.

YANBU. We’ll be going back 2-3 days a week which will be ideal for me. It was great at first, but I’m feeling really isolated now and looking forward to catching up in person with my colleagues.

I'm back 2 days a week and it's quite nice, but I wouldn't want to do 5 days a week if I could avoid it.

I've really lost all motivation, and I'm finding myself getting increasingly grumpier about putting my camera on in meetings etc. And am only ever wearing trackies now! I'm hoping this is just a new cycle to adjust to? I'm sure I've always had times where I couldn't be bothered with work but it felt different and always fixed itself. Fingers crossed anyway!

Why are you doing childcare? I'm back to the office tomorrow for the first time in 18 months. Will do one day a week for the foreseeable/until they tell me to come more often. I like working from home though.

You shouldn't be doing childcare if you're working.

I teach so have been in school all
through (even if for just a day a week). I found live teaching at home harder than being with classes.

Can you find another job? I don't think I would want to wfh all the time - but can see why people want maybe 3 days in office and 2 days home.

How old are the kids and where are they while you're working?

I kept mine in with the childminder last school year. This year I've had them home after school, but DH is usually home at a similar time too. So I go and lock myself away in the spare room.

Kid are at school. Older one in secondary so pretty independent. Youngest one is in year 6. They are pretty good at doing their own stuff and entertaining themselves; however it is the fact that I am in the house all the time that I feel I can't never disconnect mentally. I just want to go to an office a few days a week feel like a professional again.

I do pick up youngest child from school most days but she is happy to entertain herself for awhile. It is just mentally that I can not disconnect, knowing they are there, perhaps spending too long watching TV, etc. I also can't never fully disconnect from the house mentally.

I need to go to an office so I can only think about work, talk to other people, see other people. have a better routine.

Isn't it funny how wfh used to be seen as a perk, often reserved for senior people, and if we got permission to wfh to wait for a parcel or something it seemed amazing, being able to put a wash on, have lunch in front of the TV etc.
Now it's a reality for so many it's depressing. I'm with you OP, I miss my colleagues, the routine, even the office politics and mini dramas. I've no advice, but I know so many people agree with you.

I love WFH.

But if it doesn’t suit you find another job.

DH is the same. Didn't mind it to start with as it had to be done, but since the company proudly announced they were selling their offices and everyone was to work from home indefinitely, many people have left. He would have been okay with a hybrid, but the people that are left are the non technical people, and the skills the technical people have are in shortage; I think they'll be regretting their decision soon. His new job is more balanced.

I feel the same. Other than nursery drop off just down the road I don't really leave the house.

I've also ended up doing every drop off and pick up, and every sick day. Whereas before it was split between me and DH. I miss my hour of sitting on the train with a book a few times a week. That said I'm not sure I could go back in the office 5 days a week.

I did look into using a co-working space a couple of days a week but just can't justify the cost. Plus I'm not sure it'll be productive as I can't do my job very well from just a laptop, I need extra screens.

I can't carry on wfh much longer
I absolutely hate it

I don't like it but for me it's a godsend as DD1 just started secondary so it's completely solved my childcare problems as she can just bring herself home and there's still an adult in the house.

Can you look at building an office at the bottom of the garden, or converting a garage or old building?

I've worked from home for years and i did this. It's my little space and it means I leave the house to go to work. The kids also know not to come out to my office unless a limb or something similar is hanging off. It also means that when I log off and lock up the office, that's my day done

Before i did something drastic like change my job i would try setting up some routine and structures. The obvious thing to try would be sourcing you own office if work cant provide one. Rent a desk somewhere and see how you feel? Lots of people are doing this now as they feel the same.

Create very firm boundaries about home and work. Set times. Have starting work routines and ending work routines. Ie you finish at five and do a twenty minute walk to end the day and come back through the door in mum mode.

My worry for you is that you could move jobs and as many firms haven't agreed their policies yet or haven't got them firmly embedded plus we don't know what the autumn and winter hold-you could end up back at square one.

What are the things you do like about it? Can you do more of that.

Of the things you dont like, can you do anything other then stop wfh to relieve it. So if you miss colleages can you meet one for coffee or lunch? Instead to avoid isolation could you meet local friends. Does your study need a revamp?

I hate wfh and would look for another job if it became permanent. I am distracted, not as productive work wise and like having people to discuss things with without using bloody teams!

I hate wfh, and our office has been closed so no chance to go back.
I will be looking for another job, I am demotivated and fed up of video calls. I miss the office banter and working as a team.

I have days when I love working from home and others when I hate it.
I don’t have DC at home so that helps, but I lack motivation and I really miss colleagues, random discussions and face to face meetings.

My problem is that my job role changed during lockdown and I am now in a team without a physical office. My boss was always hard to pin down or get information from before covid, now he is impossible. The actual job role is also different and whilst on paper better it is a little boring.

They are not getting the best from me, before covid I was a dedicated (workaholic) employee who usually worked 8-6 flat out. Now I am online for the same hours but usually do about 70% of the work.

I have asked to work in the office alongside my old team but was told no, so now I have to decide what I want to do long term.