Losing mojo - working from home

[Ahumanjellyfish]

I am only working part time but have a child at secondary.

it was the dream to work from home, no commute, no rushing back to ensure I can be back for the childminder etc. I have however lost my oomph. I work 4 days a week and have a child now at secondary. I don’t know if it’s the time of year, that I’m mid forties (maybe hormones) but I turn up (in my lounge) do my job (pick up my child) do a little more work. I have no ambition, I don’t feel excited about doing more work. I feel quite tired and I know more is expected from me to really get on.

My husband has a more important (better paid) job and pays lots of the household bills. So is quite stressed and has late evenings. I know I’m fortunate but I feel I’m just drifting. My priority was to be a good mum but often I’m snappy and short fused or, if I’m more relaxed at home I’m apathetic at work.

I don’t want to let anyone down, I’m paid so I feel I need to do a good job. My feedback and 121s have been good but I don’t feel I’m achieving and I feel I have little energy. Grateful for what I have. Anyone else ? I’m scared of losing my job as mid forties I’m quite specialist and don’t feel clever enough to retrain. I work in the health sector.

I am around the same. I think working from home does make you feel more isolated and drifted away from the work.

Sounds like you need to go back to the office. Are you able to do that?

Thanks for the responses. Midnight ok sorry to hear you feel the same.
I don’t have a car currently and wanted to be around for school drop off/ picks ups if needed. So there are so many advantages to working from home.

i also lack confidence sometimes too. Working from home can be both helpful (don’t have to go in by train be there face to face), but also unhelpful I sometimes think am I doing this right? The best of my ability (I have great work colleagues I run things by).

i am Not sure if it’s January, my expectations of work are too high (let’s face it pure there to work not have fun). I might be hormonal too. I try and get some exercise too. I think working from home the expectation is you do more too, there are no five min chats after a meeting, a quick coffee and second opinion with a colleague.

I sometimes feel I’m not achieving, I’m waiting to get old and retire!

sorry about the typos!

It sounds as though you'd really benefit from going to the office one or two days a week. Can you arrange after school club or other childcare for this - the cost is not just your responsibility.

Also get out of the house every day. I've started doing a 20 minute walk before work and feel so much better for it. Fresh air, exercise, saying morning to other people, whereas I'd got into a habit of not leaving the house, other than shopping, during the week. Its only a short walk but I feel really energised when I get back.

Can you set up a weekly virtual lunch and chat with colleagues? Or stick a couple of 10 minute catch up/chat with a work friend.

Anyone you work with live near you? Can you both wfh at one of your houses once in a while?

I love wfh and I'm an antisocial moo but after 3 years I understand I need to put things in place so I'm not completely isolated.

Also -
Once a week I have a lunchtime call with a friend who also wfh.

And take those coffee breaks away from your laptop.

Work wise, how is your relationship with your manager? Can you tell them you are struggling a bit at the moment? Is there a new project, training, secondment opportunity or something else you could put yourself forward for to fire up your enthusiasm again?

I am feeling the same as you. Took on a fully remote role thinking it would be the dream but it's not. I miss popping out for a coffee with colleagues and learning by sitting with colleagues or overheating things. I really miss the face to face and human contact. My office is based over fifty miles away so no an option for me to go in to.

You'll get a tidal wave of people telling you you're wrong if you say you don't like working from home, kind of funny given the hate for other groups telling people to shut up without discussion but hey that's for another day, but yes working from home is isolating and I find it's easy to quickly lose skills instead of gaining. It's also terrible if you want to train up/learn a new role.

I can see the benefits for some people, easier to manager health conditions/no commute. I do think it's increasing social anxiety though, nothing like a team meeting with all but 2 cameras on to get you excited/enthused about your team.