Live data from Hacker News

Remote workers, how do you stop thinking about work?

news.ycombinator.com

1–10 of 30 posts

Remote workers, how do you stop thinking about work?

#1
It’s the end of your work day. You close your laptop. You step away from your desk. Your head is hurting from eye strain. You’re telling yourself to chill out but your mind keeps going back to work.

You’re thinking, did I rub people the wrong way with my presentation? How am I going to solve this problem that seems so hard to solve? What if I fail?

What do you do to stop ruminating about work and get on with your life outside of work?

Re: Remote workers, how do you stop thinking about work?

#2
Know your coworkers enough to manage expectations. Know who to ask and collaborate with if you're stuck.

Have a separate space for work. Don't go there unless you're working or cleaning it.

Have engaging activities and hobbies outside work. Exercise. Cook. Meet with friends or family. Play a game. Watch a movie.

Re: Remote workers, how do you stop thinking about work?

#3
The feelings you described are totally normal. One day you will know that you can solve the problem. One day you will know that you won't fail. One day you will collect feedback after the presentation and continue to learn how to do better the next time.

Also, maybe this job just isn't the right fit for you if you are constantly doubting yourself and feeling unsure. It may be a good time to start planning toward the next move a few months from now.

Re: Remote workers, how do you stop thinking about work?

#4
Almost any routine can work if you practice it. Even just standing up and stretching from your desk before you sit back down and open Facebook or whatever.

Some things that helped for me: Get a cold drink. Do something engaging but not really difficult: a casual video game, or making supper. Talk to a different group of people. And give yourself a little time - unwinding could take 20 minutes, so be patient with yourself.

Re: Remote workers, how do you stop thinking about work?

#6
It's just habit development. Developing any new habit requires a lot of energy the first few days. So you have to will through it when it starts.

Thinking of what you could have done better is good. Ruminating is dangerous, a downwards spiral of anxiety and rumination.

I'd write down thoughts to blog. Most of the time I throw it away after writing it down, only rarely is it blogged. HN is an outlet for that. But once you write it down, it's settled, you can tell your brain to go to bed.

But you need some willpower. Meditation helps. A run helps too, physical focus is another form of meditation. Commuting was a form of meditation - can't drive without a lot of focus, which left my mind unable to ruminate too much.

Re: Remote workers, how do you stop thinking about work?

#9
You... don't?

The problem you are describing seems more like intrusive thoughts.

Some ideas come and go - it's up to you to decide to think about them, a bit like eavesdropping if you are walking in the street and hear a keyword from some other people's conversation.

The fact some of these ideas are about work is irrelevant. If you were having similar thoughts about, say whatever you're cooking today, but while on the company clock, it'd be a similar problem.

Re: Remote workers, how do you stop thinking about work?

#10
I used to think about work all the times when I started freelancing. I had no boundaries and routinely worked until 1 or 2 am. When I started contracting with bigger companies, I just set up office hours, powering on the laptop when I start and powering it off when the day ends. I don't have the office accounts (slack & email) on my phone, but they know my phone number so they can call me or message me if something urgent pops up (very unlikely as I'm not a senior). I found that as soon as I close the laptop, everything fades away as I'm not tempted in any form to interact with it. I could, but with nothing in front of me, it's just a single thought. I also have other stuff to do like reading, learning foreign languages, watching Twitch or YouTube, or just planning the next day (personal part, not the work part)
Post reply on HN