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Working from home is my happy place. My sanctuary. My natural ecosystem. If working from home were a skincare product, it would be the only one that actually works.
Before the pandemic, I politely asked my boss if I could work from home one day a week. He reacted like I’d suggested replacing the entire office with beanbags and therapy dogs. Then COVID arrived, and suddenly everyone was doing exactly what I’d been begging for. Life is funny like that.
During lockdown, my flatmates were on forced holiday — which apparently meant sleeping until noon, drinking like it was a sponsored event, and staying up until ungodly hours. Meanwhile, my now‑husband and I were trying to be responsible adults with full‑time jobs. The contrast was… cinematic.
But eventually, the world realised WFH wasn’t the productivity apocalypse they feared. People adapted. Commutes disappeared. Alarm clocks became optional. Society collectively discovered that mornings don’t have to be a battle.
When There’s Work to Do
At home, I’m unstoppable. No coworkers popping by “just for a quick chat.” No open‑plan office noise that sounds like a zoo with Wi‑Fi. No one reheating fish in the microwave. Just me, my laptop, and music that ranges from classical to metal depending on the task.
When There’s Nothing Urgent
This is where WFH becomes elite.
A slow hour at the office = staring at the wall pretending to look busy. A slow hour at home = laundry done, lunch cooked, dishwasher emptied, maybe a cheeky stretch, maybe a cheeky nap (allegedly).
And the best part No one judging me. No one watching me stand up for the 12th time. No one asking, “Are you leaving already” Yes, Karen. I’m leaving the room. To get a snack. Calm down.
The Cookie Monster Era
The only real downside of WFH is that I’ve become a full‑time cookie monster. There is zero physical barrier between me and the fridge. I can — and do — walk there every hour like it’s part of my job description.
One of my coworkers told me she “detoxes” when she’s in the office because she can’t snack as freely. Honestly, I felt personally attacked.
My Morning Routine Without a Commute
The time saved is outrageous. No packing lunch. No choosing outfits. No “where are my headphones” panic. Now that I have a kid, mornings are basically: drop him off, come home, sit down, start working. No makeup. No hair. No problem.
WFH mornings are the closest I’ve ever come to inner peace.
How I Switch Into Work Mode
I ease in with breakfast at my desk, scrolling a few websites, pretending I’m mentally preparing for the day. Music helps — sometimes classical, sometimes something that sounds like a spaceship malfunctioning. Whatever gets the job done.
Some days it’s harder to get into the zone, especially if the task is boring. But at least I can struggle in silence.
How I Switch Off
In the beginning, I didn’t. I worked evenings, weekends, whenever a problem annoyed me enough. Burnout tapped me on the shoulder like, “Hey bestie, maybe stop.”
Now I’m better. Mostly. Except when tasks spill into the evening after my son goes to bed. Parenting is basically a full‑time job layered on top of your full‑time job.
WFH + Introversion = A Love Story
Extroverts suffered during the pandemic. I get it. Introverts We were thriving. Flourishing. Photosynthesising in the quiet.
Feeling Calmer and More in Control
Yes. Absolutely. My stress levels dropped so much I’m surprised my doctor didn’t call to check if I was still alive.
Boundaries: The Survival Edition
I never set up work email or Teams on my phone. People used to message after hours, and I refuse to live like that. My personal time is sacred. If it’s urgent, they can send a carrier pigeon.
Unexpected Challenges
Overworking Yes. Loneliness Sometimes. Talking to plants No comment. Going to cafés just to feel like a human again Absolutely.
Now that daycare drop‑offs and my favourite barista know my order, I get enough social interaction to stay functional.
My Workspace (or Whatever You Want to Call It)
I’m not precious about setups. I used to work from the bed. If I needed a standing desk, I used the top of a tall toy. Eventually we bought a real desk, but toddlers have a way of colonising every square metre of your home, so now everything moves around like a travelling circus.
Meetings and Communication
Teams meetings are great. You can record them, transcribe them, take digital notes, and — best of all — no one sees your pyjama bottoms.
Feeling connected to the team is harder. But honestly With a small kid, I don’t have the energy to be the office social butterfly anyway.
The Freedom to Shape My Day
Cooking lunch Yes. Laundry Yes. Walks Rare, but yes. Breaks that actually recharge me Absolutely.
WFH is basically adulthood on “custom settings.”
What People Misunderstand About WFH
“You’re probably doing nothing.” I’m doing more than in the office. I just look better doing it.
“It must be lonely.” Sometimes. But loneliness is still better than listening to someone loudly explain crypto for the 10th time.
“WFH is slacking off.” If slacking off means being more productive, then yes, I’m slacking beautifully.
“Introverts hate people.” No. We just hate unnecessary people.
“It’s not real work unless you’re in the office.” Tell that to my completed tasks, Susan.
The Return‑to‑Office Trauma
And can we talk about companies demanding everyone return to the office I take it personally. Deeply. Emotionally. Spiritually.
Some people bought houses an hour (or three) away because WFH was “the future.” Others moved to entirely different regions because, you know, cheaper houses and better life choices. Now companies are like, “Surprise, come back to the office!”
Oh okay, let me just sell my house, uproot my entire life, and move back to a place where rent costs the same as a small yacht. Totally reasonable.
The Digital Nomad Dream (Family Edition)
Honestly, my long‑term dream is to become a digital nomad. Not the Instagram‑influencer kind — the “mum with a laptop and a toddler eating sand on a beach” kind.
I learned about the world from textbooks and documentaries. Meanwhile, my kid could see these places before school even mentions them. Imagine him in class like, “Yes, Miss, I’ve been there. The gelato is excellent.”
Tell me that’s not a better education.
What I Learned About Myself
- Quiet is my superpower.
- I don’t need supervision — I need snacks.
- Office life drained me more than I realised.
- Flexibility makes me a better human.
Final Thought
I don’t think I could ever go back to the old normal. Working from home didn’t just change how I work — it changed how I live. And honestly I’m not giving it up without a fight.
For more on navigating career decisions and workplace culture, you can read Loyalty vs. Growth, where I unpack the tension between staying loyal and choosing yourself. Or explore The Myth of the Perfect Workplace, a deeper look at why so many of us chase an ideal that may not even exist.
Photo by Yan Krukau via Canva
