10 Things That Are Very Normal When You Work From Home But Sound Bad When You Tell Someone Else
Vlada Karpovich | Pexels Working from home is the dream for most people. If given the choice between commuting to work or sitting in their living room, most people would choose the latter. While working from home sounds good, not everything is all sunshine and roses.
It saves gas money, yes, but the work-life balance can become chaotic. If you have kids or other responsibilities, you're constantly having to pivot. So, while it seems normal for people who work from home to wear pajamas all day long or take care of other tasks while they're on the clock, others may think these things are pretty bad.
These things sound bad for some, but are completely normal for people who work from home
1. Joining team meetings in pajamas
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Most people dread meetings and feel anxious about them. Caught up in your workload, nobody wants to be reminded of the tight deadlines and endless tasks. But to quell that anxiety and stress, you may choose to work in your pajamas and even attend work meetings in them.
It sounds bad to people on the outside, but working from home means staying comfortable. In fact, what you wear dramatically impacts your mood. Small things like fabrics and colors can make or break your comfort level, so rather than be nervous, you may as well choose something soft to wear that could also help you regulate your emotions.
2. Eating breakfast while working
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The best thing about working from home is that you don't have to drive anywhere. You have extra time to lay in bed before work, and might find yourself stalling to get up in the morning. It isn't laziness, you just aren't in a rush. But for people who are new to working from home, they may not have great time management, and eat breakfast while they work.
Flexibility in your schedule is a huge benefit. According to a 2024 study, this flexibility reduces work stress and increases job satisfaction. So, because your schedule is likely a bit lenient, munching on corn flakes while answering emails isn't too problematic, just a bit weird to someone who doesn't understand.
3. Muting yourself to yell at your family
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Whenever you're going through something, family is the first to have your back. But while your love for your family is infinite, patience is a different story. When you're in the middle of working from home, it sounds bad to others, but you may often mute yourself to scold your family.
Most of us only have so much space in our homes. With little room and tons of noise, it's annoying when family can't be quiet while you're doing something so important. As much as you adore them, the inconsiderate screaming and whining can get on your last nerves.
4. Venting to your pets like they're your co-workers
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We all have that one co-worker we adore. But when you start working from home, that connection just isn't the same. You may not talk to them as much as you did, and aren't able to grab lunch together. So, you may find yourself talking to your pets instead of them.
You need to let your emotions out somehow. When you're in the middle of an intense day, your pet might become the best therapist. And while they may listen intently, writing also has numerous benefits and helps people heal.
5. Scheduling your shower around your calendar
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While working from home has its drawbacks, a huge benefit nobody talks about is scheduling a shower midday. As long as your work is done, who cares what you do with your free time? And especially if you're a parent, it's a great time to do so.
You only have so many hours in a day. Rather than wasting it, you can find ways to balance your schedule. If you know you have to leave right after work for an event, and your work and meetings are done for the day, taking 10 minutes to shower isn't a crime.
6. Realizing you haven't spoken in hours
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The best part about working from home isn't the fact that you don't have to drive anywhere. It's that you don't need to do any small talk, often staying silent for hours at a time without realizing it. If you don't have too many meetings, you'll find that going long periods without talking is normal.
For someone on the outside who works in an office or the field, this may sound bad. After all, we all need to socialize and form human connections. Not everyone will understand why this is a good part of working from home, but at the end of the day, you're responsible enough to not go days without seeing anyone.
7. Answering emails from bed
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Even working from home, you're productive. You submit your work on time and attend every team meeting. So, it's completely normal to answer questions or messages from your colleagues while laying in bed. As long as your work is done and your productivity isn't suffering, it's totally normal.
Old-school managers and employees might not agree with it, but flexibility is the key to productivity. Being picky about how someone works is just rude at this point. And if managers notice that their employees are performing well, it's better to leave them to their own devices.
8. Hurriedly putting on clothes for an unexpected work call
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There's no greater frustration than an unexpected meeting. Most people dread getting the message, "Hey, can you hop on a call real quick?" It isn't just about people's aversion to unpredictability, it's that a wrench has been thrown in their day that has already been planned out.
So, when this happens, you likely throw on clothing real quick to have a meeting. When it's a Zoom call and you have to appear on camera, this can be especially stressful. For someone who doesn't work from home, this sounds bad and unprofessional, but for you, it's just another day at work.
9. Making dinner while you're technically on the clock
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Once you finish your tasks for the day, you often have time to spare. In the past, you might have stared at your screen, bored to death as you waited to clock out. But ever since you started working from home, you've gotten into the habit of making dinner while you're technically supposed to be working.
It sounds bad, but it's actually normal. All your tasks are done and you're clocking out shortly. Choosing to be productive, you might throw something in the Instant Pot to save time. And while colleagues may think it's selfish, they shouldn't complain.
10. Using your break to fold laundry
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Everyone has tasks they need to complete at work. You've likely got a huge chore list to complete in a short time frame. But rather than waiting until Saturday, most folks use their break to fold laundry.
You already ate your lunch at your meeting with your camera turned off. Taking a well deserved break, you can use that free time to do something useful. With piles of laundry and a quiet house, you're using your time wisely.
When you have good time management, it actually makes you happier and able to accomplish more things at both work and at home. So, keep folding laundry or doing dishes during the day. Life isn't about living to work, it's about striking a balance between the two.
Marielisa Reyes is a writer with a bachelor's in psychology who covers self-help, relationships, career, family, and trending topics.
