New resolutions for working from home? Anyone got the dread about "going back?"?

[largeprintagathachristie]

For those of you who are WFH, and back to work today, or soon, do you have "the dread?" I do. Last year work was a horror show for me; far too much workload, long, long hours, major projects squeezed into the last quarter of the year because of Covid, everything that could go wrong, did, new role with tons of responsibility and no support, bad back from sitting down for so long each day, 5 minute (or no) lunch breaks, you name it. The only thing keeping me going was the thought of the Christmas/New Year break, and now that's over!

It affected my sleep and mental health and I'm looking to do things differently this time around. There's lots that's out of my control, but I'm thinking:

• being stricter with myself about finishing work at a certain time, and putting work stuff away. (I'm working from my bedroom)
• 10 minute break morning and afternoon for stretching/pilates/whatever
• getting outside at lunchtime to catch some daylight
• work on (less) procrastination; tackle the tasks that instil dread early, so they don't hang over me
• within reason, give fewer f**cks. I always beat myself up if I'm not perfect, agonise over a mistake no-one else will even notice, etc

-remind myself that I'm working to live, not the other way around

Hi @largeprintagathachristie

I have wfh for last couple of years but definitely found during lockdown 1 that I lost my routine. And work and home life seemed to merge. Mainly as there was nowhere to go.

I've made a conscious decision that this week I will have a strict routine re exercise / lunch breaks etc and stop work at a set time. It's harder a different work on projects so can work 12+ hours a day when approaching deadlines etc.

Oh and yes to giving fewer f*cks. I am being honest with myself that if work gets busy it will happen but I'm not going to stress over it. Definitely prioritising then on work stuff. Food / exercise and regular breaks.

Also having a strict computer off time!

Yes OP, Im with you. Complete dread. Last year I was too nice, took everyone's mistakes on as my own to help. Also no to the neverending zoom calls.

I'm with you, OP. Maintaining work/life boundaries was really hard when life was so limited - it was too easy just to keep on working or log in on days off.

I'm resolving to make plans to meet friends for walks after work at least twice a week after work (as long as we aren't locked down again) as if I have an appointment I'll have a reason to down tools at a sensible time, and not to open my laptop on days off or at weekends as a quick check of my emails quickly becomes a couple of hours of unpaid work, and no downtime. I've started putting it out of my line of sight to avoid even thinking of it. The giving fewer fucks is the hardest bit, isn't it, as it doesn't come easily, but I'm hoping being stricter about boundaries will mean less 3am worry wallowing.

Your resolutions sound good!

@Stroller15 same. Already others have dropped a fair few balls since Christmas. I have lots of my own stuff to do, rather than sorting out other people. I am going to more boundaried, rather than the laptop going off at 7pm

@largeprintagathachristie exactly all of this!

Definitely doing the strict start and stop times and making some time to get out in the fresh air each day! I’m also taking regular breaks from my screen, just like I would if I was in the office.

Definitely got to be stricter! I think as it was a novelty at first in March it was easy to get into bad habits. No or a v short lunch break, worker later than I ever would when I was in the office etc etc.

I now make sure I get a good break during the day!