Why It’s So Exhausting to Work From Home

Time works differently at home

David Dennis, Jr.
Forge

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A woman looks at her laptop, working on her bed with her young daughter beside her.
Photo: Mladen Zivkovic/iStock/Getty Images Plus

IfIf you’re a person who spent your pre-pandemic work life in a cubicle or office, right now is a good time to throw yourself into looking on the bright side: You’re not stuck at home; you’re free. This is what you dreamed about every morning and evening when you were stuck in traffic or jammed onto a crowded subway car. Yes, it’s all terrifying and apocalyptic right now — but at least you can sit in your pajamas all day! You can hang out with your dog. You can make a snack anytime you want, and you can eat it with the TV on in the background.

But how are you supposed to get any work done while all those episodes of Love Is Blind are calling to you and your bed is right there? And why are you so tired at the end of the workday when you haven’t even left the house?

I’ve been working from home for most of the past decade, so let me just reassure you: You will get your work done. With everything to stress about right now, don’t stress about that.

In fact, those of us who work from home often find ourselves overworking. We tether ourselves to our desks and stress ourselves out more at home than we do at work. That’s why it’s important to make sure we take care of ourselves and don’t burn out while working remotely.

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David Dennis, Jr.
Forge

Level Sr. Writer covering Race, Culture, Politics, TV, Music. Previously: The Undefeated, The Atlantic, Washington Post. Forthcoming book: The Movement Made Us