Anyone else terrible at being present after 5pm?

Jan 22·1 min read

This is embarrassing to admit but I notice that when I get home from the office, my brain is still basically at work. My kids are talking to me and I'm nodding along while mentally reviewing my Slack messages. I'm physically there but not really... there. My 8yo even said last week 'Dad you're not listening again.' Ouch.

How do you guys actually switch off? Is it just practice or am I fundamentally broken?

5 comments330 views

Comments(5)

DDaniel M.RegularJan 23

Not embarrassing at all man. This is probably the most honest post on this forum. I'm still thinking about emails while sitting at dinner with my family.

MMatteoRegularJan 24

You're not alone. I catch myself scrolling on my phone while my kids are trying to tell me about their day and I feel awful about it every time. The commute home doesn't even help me decompress anymore.

MMarcusNew DadJan 24

Have you tried actually doing nothing for like 15 minutes when you first get home? I started sitting in my car for 10 minutes just listening to a podcast before going inside and it helped reset my brain somehow.

DDanny R.RegularJan 23

This is what the Calm stuff in the other thread might actually help with. Even just 5 minutes between work and home to actually transition.

RRay C.RegularJan 24

I find that if I put my phone on silent as soon as I walk in the door it makes a difference. The work Slack notifications keep pinging and my brain stays in work mode otherwise.

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