I work from home, but I sometimes ...

[NewWFH]

I've worked in sw dev for 20 years. A few months ago I had to look for a new job after previous company closed their UK office. Luckily I was able to find something else very easily, with better salary too. However, I am surprised to find most people work from home (it's 1 day in the office for planning/review every two weeks). My interviews were the days people were on-site.

Of course I can go to the office whenever I want, but it's totally "dead". My team have a quick sync meeting each morning for 15 mins, and then I'm off on my own for the day.

Working from home I find:

• Totally blended (messed up?) work/private life balance
• I miss my old short commute exercise (a short train journey, and a 2 mile walk)
• Doing things I wouldn't do if I were in office, like snacking too much

I really like the new company, the project/tech I'm working on, but I'm not really sure this setup suits me longer term.

Any others struggling with WFH? Any advice appreciated!

I love wfh however in my company there are people who feel like you and a few of them have decided to meet up on one day a week to get their social side in. No one afaik has chosen to go in more than one day though. Perhaps that's my company. I have been into the office 3 times in almost 3 years.
There are jobs out there if you'd rather work in the office though. Good luck.

This will be me soon. Advice that I’ve been given is:
Take whatever food you would take to the office into your workspace, whether that’s a home office or the kitchen table.
Walk to work by doing a short walk around the block.
If you are working in a non designated office space in your home (eg kitchen table) pack away at the end of the day.
Take your breaks in a different area of the house.
Get dressed for work (I do plan on wearing my slippers!).

What does sw dev mean?

I thought most places that maintained offices had gone hybrid with set days in the office.
Anyway, you need a strict routine.
Start the day with a bit of exercise whether that's a walk or a 10 minute hit workout or something
Try and have your 'office somewhere else in the house that doesnt have other stuff to do. Like a spare bedroom. Or a hallway. Or garden shed.
Try and physically separate your work at the end of the day and end with another ritual like a walk. So if you have a laptop, pack it away. If you're in a room that you otherwise spend time in, get a screen and separate the area off visually. If you have a foldable table, fold it back up. Otherwise it does just seem like you're chilling in the office.

I also have little working from home rituals and now I love it
Going for half an hours exercise like a run at lunchtime.
Getting my washing and stuff done in the day when I have breaks. It feels really nice not having to try and squeeze that kind of thing into the evening (no more waiting up til a wash has finished)
Cooking fancy stuff that I wouldn't have time for if i was in the office
I do make sure that I make the time to chat to colleagues on the phone as well. If I havent spoken to one of them for a while i will ring them with a question rather than putting it on teams.

I second the advice about getting dressed before starting work, I always do, and whilst not what I would wear in an office, it is what I would wear to leave the house (minus coat and shoes).

I think you need to be disciplined about when you finish as well, so you are getting out of the house every day, perhaps for a walk or an errand. Be prepared to decline calls (propose another time) for example.

I third the getting dressed advice. By all means joggers, t shirt and a hoodie if you want, just not what you slept in.

I just go to the office now, I like the separation. I only wfh when it suits me e.g. got a delivery coming. Lucky we have multiple offices so I go to ones that are busier and helps me connect with other people around the business. Not sure if that's an option for you

Thanks so much for the advice above. Some things were on my radar, I'd never use a work computer for personal use, I have a dedicated room I could use, but need to get a better desk, etc. But some other good guidance too from you who've more experience.

It's up to me to make this work, since I like the company and the project I'm on.

@DuplicateUserName Software Development?

Ahh that would make sense, thank you.

Google wasn't helping.

I also find it really difficult. I've been working fully remote for almost a year, with one day in the office ever. I live very far from it.

When I applied for the job I was in a relationship. I've now been single for a few months, which has made it much harder.

I joined a meet up group in my city a few months ago. Almost everyone who goes works from home, so we meet at least once a week for drink or food.

My concentration has been terrible and I have no real routine, so can't help on that front. I've also gained 9 lbs.

I’m incredibly stupid. I thought that op worked in south west Devon 😂

OP I can relate to this. We started WFH during covid and now everyone does it. Like you I can go to the office but it’s dead when I’m there so pretty pointless.

WFH works amazingly with my small kids, no commute and no pressure to get ready means with a 1&3 year old there’s a lot less dynamics to my morning. Also means I don’t get caught in rush hour to pick them up and use my commute to put the slow cooker on or tidy away from breakfast.

I use my lunch hour for a run/walk.

I do find it very distracting though. I’ll go to empty the washing machine and spot a mess and before I know it I’m doing some household chore and needing to make that time up.

i also really miss the social side and being able to confer with colleagues. We don’t have any kind of team meeting and if we do it’s a generic business update and not work related.

I thought social work!

What do you mean by this? Thanks

I love wfh and don't miss being in an office at all. But I did it before covid, all the noise, lights, social stress in an office was too much and i regularly had really bad MH because of it so I'm really happy with the shift to hybrid working!

It is difficult at first but you have to establish boundaries to keep your work/life balance. Eg all work devices off when you finish for the day so you're not checking email, set breaks during the day, be firm in your finishing time- the odd late finish when needed and you want to is fine but it should never be expected.

Self discipline to put daily walks and structure in place. It’s not easy but overall, wfh has so many benefits.