Modern Remote Work Challenges, As Seen Through The Eyes of “10 Things I Hate About You”

Remote work can suck. Blurry work-life boundaries, relationships mediated by technology, running out of sweatpants...the list goes on. However, pivoting the bad parts into less-bad or even productive changes can help you get more done from the comfort of your home...as long as you get out of bed.

Part two available here!

1. Work-Life Balance Is A Joke

If at 9:00am you sit down at the computer in the same chair that you use for dinner, video games, or needlepoint, it may be hard to suddenly shift into work-mode. Doing a few things to delineate work from non-work, even if they feel arbitrary, add up:

• Set a designated “start” time and don’t show up late because you’re putting the laundry in. Hold something sacred and let it be the start of your workday.

• Set a designated “end” time and end-of-day deliverable. Just like the workday, if you stay focused and get the deliverable done early, clock out. If you force yourself to stay in your work chair until 5 pm and waste time, even with all your work done, that habit will start to creep into other parts of your day and ultimately the end-of-the-day won’t feel like the end of the day.

• Have a work playlist. Put it on when you get dressed (because you know that what you wear shapes how you think and you don’t want to think like a pair of sweatpants) to help you get your mindset aligned. Perhaps it’s bossa nova or epic movie soundtracks: repeat it every day so it becomes associated with the start of your workday.

2. Everyone Else Is Treating Quarantine Like A Vacation And I Feel Busier Than Ever

Perception, my friends. Did you know that the more you perceive other people to drink, the more likely that you are drinking more? Did you also know that having many choices for discretionary activities can by itself lead to feelings of time pressure, time deprivation, and a perceived shortage of free time? Perhaps you have more distracting habits and temptations than you want to admit.

The fix here is time and project management. Creating blocks of time to work on particular projects, creating visual milestones of work that you complete, creating designated on-the-clock and off-the-clock time, and finding ways to celebrate achievements are all methods of recognizing that you are spending your time on work and getting things done. Conversely, muting the social media influence, the turning off notification chatter of chat channels, and attacking the perception that “if I am at home then I should be partaking in leisure activities” can subdue this FOMO.

3. I’m All Alone And It’s Bumming Me Out

Be more intentional about socializing. Use it as a reward. Find someone who also feels that need and set up playdates for your bored mind during rough periods of your day. That 2:30 feeling gets washed away knowing you have a half hour coffee break with an old friend every Thursday.

Hype up your social times when you do have them. Take care of yourself, your space, and any other needs before hopping on a happy hour so you can really enjoy the time with others. Treat your social times as special times and they will become more fulfilling.

Don’t discount the possibility that the forced quarantine might be bringing out latent depression or melancholy. There are lots of counselors and therapists that have transitioned to remote work: it might be exactly what you have needed but were masking with other distractions. Now you’re stuck inside with yourself and you might be hearing your needs better.

4. I May Kill My Roommate/Partner/Child Because They Are Driving Me Mad

Managing close quarters with more people inevitably leads to more potential conflict. It’s normal. Please do not kill anyone. Perhaps try talking to them.

Holding a discussion with your roommate/partner/family about new boundaries or working methods is the first step to addressing issues. The thing about unstated expectations is that they’re really latent resentments that will be uncovered when you are stuck at home with them. Having a frank and open conversation about workday timing, workplace expectations, how to redistribute responsibilities, and scheduling self-care are all good starting points to the conversation.

If it helps, write up a Work-From-Home Charter that spells out compromises into writing. It’s a fresh take on the Roommate Contract.

5. My Body Aches From All The Computer-ing

Odds are your work-from-home setup is less ergonomic than your office. Odds are also good that your home is much more comfortable and relaxing than your office. The two spaces serve different needs and now your home has to serve those competing needs.

If you haven’t curated your home office setup yet, spend some time (and maybe some dimes) on a good chair, light that doesn’t force you to strain your eyes, a surface that keeps your arms and wrists at a comfortable level, and a screen angle that encourages you to sit up straight. You don’t need to order a full set of Poppin work-from-home furniture, but if your organization is willing then take advantage of some new equipment.

Even if you have a dope home office, make sure you address your physical needs during the day:

• Drink plenty of water

• Use a foam roller to stretch out your back, shoulders, and legs

• Get up and move- Try this jump-up-and-stretch playlist once a morning and afternoon.

Love this? Continue on to Part Two —>

Pictures adapted from 10 Things I Hate About You, the pinnacle of 90s Teen Rom-Com Shakespeare, celebrating it’s 21st anniversary this year.