She Strengthens

The Blurred Lines of Working from Home

Establishing a routine, prioritizing self-care, and utilizing free resources are just a few of the many tips we’ve heard about working from home. But what about the actual work itself? For many of us, working from home has become a vastly different experience than working in an office.

When Boundaries Crumble

Personally, I’ve struggled to maintain a healthy work-life balance since transitioning to remote work. With my office now in my bedroom, it’s easy to get sucked into a 12-hour workday. My colleagues, who are often available 24/7, can contact me at any time, making it difficult to set boundaries. As a junior team member, I feel pressure to be available and responsive, even outside of work hours.

Reclaiming Control

After a week of anxiety and sleepless nights, I realized that I needed to take action. I deserved to have boundaries, even while working from home. Here are three tips that helped me establish those boundaries with my senior colleagues:

1. Communicate Your Working Hours

I assumed that my office hours would carry over to my home workspace, but I soon realized that I needed to be more explicit about my availability. By sending a daily “good morning” check-in and a message when I logged off, I could confidently disconnect from work and set clear expectations with my colleagues.

2. One-on-One Conversations

Initiating one-on-one conversations with my colleagues helped me explain my routine and boundaries. By sharing my schedule and breaks, I could demonstrate that I was still working a full eight hours, despite the flexibility of remote work. These conversations also allowed my colleagues to understand the importance of my routine for my success on the job.

3. Be Direct About Your Needs

Finally, I learned to broadcast my needs to my colleagues, particularly regarding news consumption. By setting boundaries around how much news I consumed, I could reduce my anxiety and stress while still performing my job effectively.

Respecting Boundaries

Establishing boundaries with senior colleagues can be challenging, especially when they have more control and experience. However, my mental health and well-being needed to take priority. By reinforcing my boundaries daily, I’ve been able to work more effectively and maintain a better work-life balance. If you’re struggling to set boundaries while working from home, I hope these tips can help you find a better rhythm.