I used to think working from home was all flexible and less stressful, with no transport, no office distractions, and the freedom to create my own schedule. But after working from my home office for the past two days, I'm starting to realize that this convenience comes with some disadvantages.
To be very honest, working from home can be time consuming, Without the structured boundaries of an office environment, it's easy to let work bleed into every aspect of my life. My room that used to be my comfortzone, has become an extension of my workspace. My laptop, once a tool, has become a constant companion.
Today was filled with lots of activities, lot's emails to respond to, phone calls and lot's more. I'm always "on," always available, and always working. There's no transportation to signal the start and end of my workday, no colleagues to chat with, and no office politics to navigate. But there's also no separation between my work and personal life.
As the day went by, I felt my energy draining, i was so exhausted already not just from the work itself, but from the lack of boundaries. I'm constantly checking my emails, taking phone calls, and responding to messages. Even when I'm not actively working, I'm still mentally engaged, thinking about the next work, the next deadline, and the next meeting.
The worst part is that I'm not even sure what it means to have time for myself anymore. When does work end, and personal time begins? I can't seem to differentiate anymore, I'm starting to feel like I'm losing myself in the process.
I'm not alone in this struggle. Many remote workers face the same challeng, the constant pressure to be available at all times, the inconsistent boundaries, and the exhaustion that comes with it.
Sometimes i ask myself, what's the solution? Then i decided to do somethings like, setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and learning to say no. It's about creating a schedule that works for me, not just my employer. And it's about recognizing that working from home doesn't mean I'm always "on the clock."
I'm building myself, and embracing a new reality, I'll learning to appreciate the benefits of working from home while also protecting my own well-being. It's a delicate balance, but one that's essential for my sanity and productivity.