4 ms·

I think this is a broad generalization. Too broad. It depends on what type of work you do. It depends on your personality, etc. I am working from home third we

I think this is a broad generalization. Too broad. It depends on what type of work you do. It depends on your personality, etc. I am working from home third week right now, and I dislike it A LOT. I've worked from home for 6 years in the early 2000s. I love office. I love socializing. I love walking from one floor to another. I actually like my morning commute, etc.

exmadscientist 7y ago
> I actually like my morning commute This one has really surprised me! (It probably helps that I have an easy bus commute.) I actually have been finding that my evening commute is critical to my mental health -- who'd have guessed that, it's usually the other way around! It's been the way I detach from work, and separate my "work headspace" from my "home headspace". Historically I've been really good at leaving work at work and home at home, and this crisis has been revealing just how big of a role my commute played in doing that. There are ways you can cope (e.g., end your workday by going for a walk), but it's taking a lot of experimentation to find a routine that works well for me.
- romanows 7y ago
  When I was commuting, I had a theory that looking out the bus window or biking into work was important because it forced me to be aware of the distance and time separating my home and work. It allowed me to transition between the two, whereas being deep into a research paper or carpooling with a nicely chatty coworker did not.
- JackPoach 7y ago
  Same here, I don't drive so my commute is 80% public transportation, 20% taxis. I do walk sometimes, but only if the weather is nice. I actually miss public transportation and I am sure I am not alone.
- john4532452 7y ago
  I too prefer office to WFH. I miss socializing, randomly taking meeting co-workers at their desk, fun gossiping etc. Another huge problem is WFH induces guilt if nothing gets done in a week. Working from office even i don't commit for more than 2 weeks no body ask about as long as i show up to work.
satysin 7y ago
> It depends on your personality This is the biggest factor IMHO. Working from home is similar to being self-employed in my experience. It requires you to be strict and disciplined with your time and priority management and concentration. You need to be comfortable working by yourself without your mind wandering off. Many (probably most) people who like the idea of working from home but have only ever done a day or two a month tend to see it as pure luxury. Of course it is in some ways but then I would argue working in a nice office with an on-site (probably subsidised) restaurant and most likely other on-site (or nearby) facilities such as a gym are also luxuries. I am a very sociable person but I hate being interrupted when I work. I don't like to socialise by going for a coffee with colleagues. I just like to get on with my work and take mini-breaks as needed to clear my head by myself. Out of work I love meeting friends and family for things. Coffee, lunch, dinners out, having people round, etc. It is just when it comes to work I much prefer being by myself in my bunker than sitting in an open office with loads of background noise and interruptions. My wife is working from home right now as well (as is our 7yo son!) and she really does not like it! She used to always make comments about how "lucky" I was to be working from home and would love when she had the odd day at home as well but now she is on her third week of it she realises how much she misses and needs that social element of the office. So while my wife thought she would love the freedom of working from home full-time she now realises it is very different to the odd day or two. She feels overwhelmed with everything. Obviously this situation isn't normal with having our son at home as well and literally being on a government set lockdown but I think she has realised that while she moans about the office she actually is quite fond of it! As for me, well I am just trying to go on the best I can. We split the day up into chunks so we can get calls/VC done while the other is doing the provided schoolwork with our son, etc. It has been difficult for me as well but that is to be expected and as I am better adjusted to working from home I am trying my best to make it easier for my wife to get her work done. Hopefully only a few more weeks before things can (slowly) start to return to normal.

exmadscientist 7y ago

> I actually like my morning commute This one has really surprised me! (It probably helps that I have an easy bus commute.) I actually have been finding that my evening commute is critical to my mental health -- who'd have guessed that, it's usually the other way around! It's been the way I detach from work, and separate my "work headspace" from my "home headspace". Historically I've been really good at leaving work at work and home at home, and this crisis has been revealing just how big of a role my commute played in doing that. There are ways you can cope (e.g., end your workday by going for a walk), but it's taking a lot of experimentation to find a routine that works well for me.

romanows 7y ago
When I was commuting, I had a theory that looking out the bus window or biking into work was important because it forced me to be aware of the distance and time separating my home and work. It allowed me to transition between the two, whereas being deep into a research paper or carpooling with a nicely chatty coworker did not.
JackPoach 7y ago
Same here, I don't drive so my commute is 80% public transportation, 20% taxis. I do walk sometimes, but only if the weather is nice. I actually miss public transportation and I am sure I am not alone.
john4532452 7y ago
I too prefer office to WFH. I miss socializing, randomly taking meeting co-workers at their desk, fun gossiping etc. Another huge problem is WFH induces guilt if nothing gets done in a week. Working from office even i don't commit for more than 2 weeks no body ask about as long as i show up to work.

satysin 7y ago

> It depends on your personality This is the biggest factor IMHO. Working from home is similar to being self-employed in my experience. It requires you to be strict and disciplined with your time and priority management and concentration. You need to be comfortable working by yourself without your mind wandering off. Many (probably most) people who like the idea of working from home but have only ever done a day or two a month tend to see it as pure luxury. Of course it is in some ways but then I would argue working in a nice office with an on-site (probably subsidised) restaurant and most likely other on-site (or nearby) facilities such as a gym are also luxuries. I am a very sociable person but I hate being interrupted when I work. I don't like to socialise by going for a coffee with colleagues. I just like to get on with my work and take mini-breaks as needed to clear my head by myself. Out of work I love meeting friends and family for things. Coffee, lunch, dinners out, having people round, etc. It is just when it comes to work I much prefer being by myself in my bunker than sitting in an open office with loads of background noise and interruptions. My wife is working from home right now as well (as is our 7yo son!) and she really does not like it! She used to always make comments about how "lucky" I was to be working from home and would love when she had the odd day at home as well but now she is on her third week of it she realises how much she misses and needs that social element of the office. So while my wife thought she would love the freedom of working from home full-time she now realises it is very different to the odd day or two. She feels overwhelmed with everything. Obviously this situation isn't normal with having our son at home as well and literally being on a government set lockdown but I think she has realised that while she moans about the office she actually is quite fond of it! As for me, well I am just trying to go on the best I can. We split the day up into chunks so we can get calls/VC done while the other is doing the provided schoolwork with our son, etc. It has been difficult for me as well but that is to be expected and as I am better adjusted to working from home I am trying my best to make it easier for my wife to get her work done. Hopefully only a few more weeks before things can (slowly) start to return to normal.