Things That Only Happen When You Work From Home

Working from home is not for the faint of heart. You need willpower, self-motivation, and a thorough commitment to your daily schedule. Not only do you have to make sure you get work done, but you also have to maintain some semblance of a normal life outside of work. 

It’s a lot of pressure! But don’t worry: Although the number of people working from home has been steadily increasing in recent years (and this number is likely to skyrocket further in the future), there are still plenty of ways for us WFH warriors to bond over our experiences. 

Below are 23 things that only happen when you work from home, but I’d love for you to add your own experiences below as well!

Takeaways
Increased flexibility in work hours
Reduced commuting time and costs
Ability to create a personalized workspace
More opportunities for work-life balance
Potential for increased productivity
Independence and autonomy in managing work
Potential for reduced stress and better mental well-being
Enhanced work-life integration
Less exposure to office distractions
Potential for cost savings on office expenses

You Live In Your Sweats

You don’t have to worry about what you look like when you head out the door, because, again, everyone knows it’s just you and a computer screen. And if someone does see you? Well, at least they’re seeing how comfortable and cozy you are!

You can wear whatever you want sweatshirts and pajamas included without worrying about what people will think of your outfit choice. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t still some dos and don’ts when it comes to dressing for work from home: no bright colors or patterns (unless they’re super common), throw on some shoes if it’s cold enough outside that slippers won’t cut it (or just wait until spring), etc. 

But these rules are far less strict than “business casual” standards at an office job would be; plus, most of them will apply even if someone else comes into the room with you.*

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You Forget What Day It Is

This can be a real problem for those who work from home. When your office consists of the four walls of your house, you have no calendar, no desk calendar and no computer or phone to remind you.

If you’re like me, there are one or two days every week when I’m late for an appointment or event because I couldn’t remember what day of the week it was! This can be embarrassing if you’re meeting with clients in public places like restaurants or bars and even worse when they call ahead to confirm the time and place (and then wait around!).

You Make A Lot Of Errors Because You Work In Your Sweats

You make a lot of errors because you work in your sweats. You can’t help it! You have to sit down and chill, so having something on your butt is necessary. 

Also, when you get up from your desk, you may need to grab a snack or walk over to the front door to see if anyone is there (if this happens frequently, maybe put an office chair next to the door). Plus sweatpants are great at absorbing spills and stains (you might as well order them in black).

If you’re looking for professional clothing that can be comfortable enough for long hours at the computer but still look good enough for meetings or client calls, consider some of these options:

Your dog isn’t fooled by your “I’m in a meeting” sign, and is constantly trying to sit on your lap anyway.

Don’t be fooled by your dog’s sweet, innocent face. They’re crafty little things and have a keen sense of smell. They know when you’re stressed out, happy or sad and they’ll try to make it better.

When you’re working from home and have a “do not disturb” sign on the door to help others respect your work time, don’t expect this to deter your dog from interrupting with his own needs (if there’s something he wants). 

Your dog will sit at the doorway and try to get into your lap regardless of whether or not you’re available for affection. It just takes one look at him sitting there patiently waiting for his prize whether it be a treat or a pat on the head to know that dogs are capable of understanding what we say without us having to use words at all!

You Set Up A Home Office, But Then Work Mostly From The Couch

It’s not that you don’t have time to work from home, or don’t want to. But when you’re on the couch, it’s so tempting to get up and do something else! 

You can’t focus when your dog is underfoot (or worse on top of one of your feet), and you certainly can’t stay focused if you’re dressed in sweats or a robe.* And as much as you love hanging out with friends, they’re too distracting.

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Your Friends Think You Have Time To Hang Out, Especially Since You Live In Your Sweats

When you work from home, it’s not uncommon for friends to assume that you have time to hang out. You may even get invites like, “Hey! I’m free any day of the week this month!” or “My boyfriend and I were thinking about going on a hike; want to join us?”

If you’re like most people who work from home, however, your schedule is packed with deadlines and chores. You’d love nothing more than to be able to go on a hike at the drop of a hat but right now? Not so much.

You explain this to your friend who invited herself over (after all, why wouldn’t she just come over if she was feeling social?). 

But instead of hearing her out and realizing what might be holding you back from accepting her invitation, your friend probably just thinks that there must be some kind of problem in your relationship or with yourself as an individual if it’s taking up so much time for both of you. 

Or maybe she’ll start making excuses for why her boyfriend can’t come along instead: “Oh no worries; he’s busy anyway.”

You Develop A Complicated Relationship With Your Doorbell

You’re not expecting anyone, but the doorbell rings. Your heart skips a beat. You think, “Maybe it’s the mailman. Maybe it’s my neighbor who I never see but still talk to when she passes by on the sidewalk outside our apartment complex and we make eye contact through our kitchen windows. 

Or maybe it’s my mom visiting with a homemade dessert or not! She only ever calls first to make sure someone will be home … or maybe it’s 

You hear footsteps coming your way and know that whoever is at your front door is going to knock soon because they’re getting closer as they walk up the stairs and then bang into one of those hollow metal pipes that connect all of our apartments in this old building (this happens every time). 

You curse under your breath as you realize you have no idea what kind of outfit you have on today and whether or not anyone would be able to see through these sheer curtains that let in more light than you’d like during daytime hours (but at least we can tell if something weird is happening outside). But wait … why aren’t their footsteps stopping? 

They must’ve seen me sitting here looking disheveled because I’m wearing yoga pants from yesterday with cat hair all over them from when I was playing with Billie Jean earlier today… And now whoever has come knocking doesn’t seem like they’re going away anytime soon…

The Only Talking You Do Happen With Coworkers On Slack Or Over Email

If you work from home, your interactions with other humans are mostly limited to the people you work with via email or Slack.

Email is still the most common form of communication among coworkers (especially those who don’t work together in an office), but it’s also easy to get distracted by the constant stream of notifications that can be overwhelming. 

Slack is a chat app that allows you to communicate with your coworkers, colleagues outside your organization, and even clients through group chats or private messages.

Your friends don’t realize you need to be asked to hang out at least two days in advance of said hanging-out plans because you live in your sweats and can’t remember social events more than two days in advance.

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You Forget About Things That Aren’t Work-Related

• You don’t have a calendar that’s shared with others.

• You don’t have a calendar at all.

• You don’t have a calendar app on your phone or computer, and you probably wouldn’t even know how to use it if you did have one.

• You get some weird looks from people when you do have to attend meetings outside of the house since you forgot that other people wear real clothes to work sometimes and not just a hoodie and sweatpants or your robe like normal people.

Now, there are some things you can’t avoid. You have to go to meetings and conferences occasionally, which means you’re going to have to leave the house and wear real clothes as other people do. 

This is when people start giving you funny looks because they think that since you’re working from home, it means that your life is in a constant state of pajamas and slippers. In reality, there’s not enough time in the day for me or anyone else with kids (or pets) at home who also works from home full-time without needing at least one change of clothing per day

But if something happens where I need my suit jacket or a pencil skirt for an important meeting? I don’t have time for that! Everyone should understand this simple fact by now: Working from home doesn’t mean that I can just throw on whatever happens to be on my floor when I get up in the morning!

People are constantly asking you why even bother with an office if you work from home, which makes sense 

since all you see of the outside world is the grocery store and a couple of uncomfortable attempts at hanging out with people where no one wanted to talk about their jobs but didn’t know what else to talk about so it was a bit awkward for everyone involved.

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You Don’t Have To Travel To Work

• You can work in your pajamas.

• You can work in your kitchen if that’s the kind of person you are (and it can be).

You can work in your living room, which is especially nice if it gets too hot or cold inside and you need a little bit of fresh air or some extra warmth or whatnot, but still want to keep an eye on things so they don’t burn down while you sleep (or take a nap).

You can work in your bedroom if that works for you too! Some people love having all their stuff around them at all times; others prefer a clean desk and working from one location only it’s up to each person who works from home how they’d like their setup arranged!

Alternatively:   has been known to do his/her work while sitting on the toilet…but only when he/she had something really important going down at home!”

Freelancing can be tough, but overcoming challenges is part of the journey. Discover 16 things that make freelancing tough and how to overcome them in our comprehensive guide on 16 things that make freelancing tough – how to overcome them.

Conclusion

Working from home may be the best thing that’s ever happened to you, but it still comes with its own set of challenges from keeping up your work/play boundaries to making sure you’re not spending all your time in sweats or sitting on the couch. 

(Unless you want to, of course, no one can take that away from you!) The most important thing is to make sure you maintain a balance between work and play so that everything feels manageable throughout each day.

Further Reading

While I’m Young: Discover the unique experiences and changes that occur when you transition to working from home.

Bustle: Explore the quirks and unusual occurrences that are specific to individuals who work from home.

InVision: Gain insights into the realities and truths of being a remote worker.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Benefits Of Working From Home?

Working from home has many benefits, but it’s important to remember that they’re not all good. Here are some of the things that happen when you work from home:

What Do I Do With All My Free Time? 

This is the most common question people ask when they start working from home. The answer is: whatever you want! Just remember to get up now and then and stretch your legs, so you don’t get too stiff.

How Do I Deal With The Guilt Of Not Being Able To Help Around The House? 

It can be hard to feel guilty about not helping with chores when you’re working, but try to think about it this way: working is a form of housework! It’s just one where you’re getting paid money instead of being rewarded with hugs or kisses.

How Do I Deal With Not Having Any Friends Or Family Around Me All Day Long? 

You might miss seeing your loved ones every day at first, but if you have an internet connection (and if not, what are you doing?), then there are plenty of ways for you to stay in touch with them online. For example, try video calls on Skype or Google Hangouts! If you need more ideas for ways

 How Do I Get A Job That Lets Me Work From Home?

You can look for remote jobs on websites like Upwork, Elance, and Guru. If you have a college degree or relevant experience, it’s easier to find a job where you can work remotely. If not, you might have to settle for something less desirable but at least you’ll be able to stay in your pajamas!

What Are Some Good Things To Do When I’m Working From Home?

Make sure to take breaks! Get up and go outside every few hours if possible. This helps refresh your brain so that you don’t get stuck in a rut and forget how the real world works. You should also set goals for yourself each day and make sure they’re realistic (and fun!). 

For example, if this is your first day working from home, maybe try setting a goal for yourself like “I want to make my bed before noon” or “I want to call my mom.” You’ll feel accomplished by the end of the day and it’s nice having someone else know what you’ve been up to all day long!