Remote work saved my sanity but now I can't turn it off | DadHQ

Remote work saved my sanity but now I can't turn it off

Jul 291 min read

Been working from home for 2 years now and it's been great for family time, especially after the kids get home from school. But here's the thing - I literally cannot disconnect. I'm answering emails at 9pm, checking Slack while eating dinner, and my wife had to tell me to put my phone down last weekend. The commute used to be my decompression time and now I just walk from the kitchen to the office. Anyone else dealing with this? How did you set boundaries?

6 comments159 views

Comments(6)

EEli L.RegularJul 29

Two years of blurred lines between work and dad mode will mess with your head. I started treating my laundry time like my reset button, something that's just for me before dinner. Sounds weird but it helps separate the day.

CChris M.New DadJul 29

Coffee is my love language too brother, and remote work means I'm basically attached to the pot all day. You gotta find something that tells your brain work is over or you'll burn out fast.

DDavid R.RegularJul 29

Remote work really has been a game changer for family time though. I get to have lunch with my kids some days which never would have happened in an office. The work bleeding into evenings is the trade-off I guess.

DDaniel M.RegularJul 29

The work from home thing is a double edged sword, right? You're there but you're not really there because you're still working. I've been trying to get better at actually clocking out instead of just closing the laptop.

TToddRegularJul 29

Man I feel this. I've been remote for about a year now and I love being here for the kids but I catch myself checking emails at 9pm on a Friday. Been trying to set a hard stop time at 5pm and actually stick to it. What's your trick for turning it off?

CChris M.RegularJul 30

Two years in and you're still struggling? Honestly I think it takes longer than people admit to actually separate work from home when they're in the same space. Have you tried like a dedicated office door or something?