The post-work shutdown ritual that actually works

Dec 161 min read

Reading here how people struggle to be present after work and wanted to share what's been helping us. When I get home, I literally change clothes immediately - out of work pants, into gym shorts. It sounds dumb but it's like a physical reset. Then I do 15 min with just my kids before checking my phone for emails.

Since I started doing this (suggestion from my therapist), I'm way less snappy with the kids and actually remember conversations we had. Not claiming it'll work for everyone but if you're stuck in that work headspace all evening, the clothing swap thing is weirdly powerful.

10 comments129 views

Comments(10)

GGreg M.RegularDec 16

This hit hard. My wife keeps saying I'm "not really here" even when I'm home and I think it's because I never actually switch off the work headspace. Gonna try this tomorrow.

RRob P.RegularDec 17

The clothes change thing is genius. I do something similar - shoes off immediately, which sounds dumb but it literally signals to my brain "work mode off." Stealing this though.

MMatt S.RegularDec 17

I need this badly. Been working from home for 3 years and I basically never leave work mode. Do you set a specific "work ends at X time" too or does the clothes change alone do it?

NNeil C.New DadDec 17

The clothes thing actually has legit psychological research behind it. Humans respond to uniform/clothing changes way more than we realize. This is such a simple hack.

CCarl W.RegularDec 18

What about WFH dads? I tried this and ended up just changing clothes at 5pm and then going right back to my desk because the office is literally 15 steps away lol

RRon D.New DadDec 17

Try a walk around the block instead. Same principle - physical reset, breaks the cycle. Worked better for me than the clothes change alone since my work and home are basically the same space.

EEric V.RegularDec 18

I do something similar but with a specific playlist - switch to "going home" music in the car and it like flips a switch in my brain. combined with your clothes trick this might actually work

PPaul T.RegularDec 19

responding to the gym shorts question - I think the point is less about hitting the gym and more about literally changing your uniform so your brain registers "work mode off." could be gym shorts, could be a weird hawaiian shirt, the specific clothes don't matter as much as the ritual

KKevin P.RegularDec 18

This actually works because it's a physical ritual instead of just trying to mentally switch gears. The gym shorts thing is perfect because you're not gonna sit on your laptop in gym shorts, you're gonna play with your kids.

MMike F.RegularDec 18

This is genius. I literally wear my work shirt until dinner and I'm stuck in "boss mode" the whole night. Gonna try the clothes swap thing starting tomorrow. Does the gym shorts thing mean you also hit the gym or just the vibe?