Ask HN: How to maintain work-life balance while working remotely?
I've been working remotely for a few months now and I'm struggling to separate my work and personal life. Any advice or strategies that have worked for you?
7 comments
If you can, set up your office so you have to exit your home to get to it. Have a separate phone and computer too. It will cost you some money but it's worth having the physical separation. Also, have a set day with start, breaks, lunch, and end times and stick to them. Again, you'll have to make the separation. Otherwise, it will all blend together. Making you feel like you are working 24/7 without rest and/or feeling guilty when you are not working.
1. If you can, have a separate room where you can work.
2. Remember that when the work day ends, you're off the clock.
3. Don't have any work-related apps on your personal devices.
4. At the end of the day, pack your work laptop and peripherals away. Don't take them out until you're ready to work the next day (or at the beginning of the week).
[deleted]
Well, remote is not suitable for everyone since you are struggling. I personally often take a long walk during the afternoon to think about the daily plan and find a good tempo of working.
Yes, you need to get out when starting and ending work shifts. It has to feel like you are leaving for work, even if you just walk around the house and then come back. So, no working in the bedroom, kitchen, etc. It has to be a dedicated space.
Definitely set a hard end time and add that to your calendar if necessary. My team did that and we respect those boundaries. Only exceptions are actual urgent requests.
Have a separated office room...