{"id":1,"date":"2025-10-15T07:35:02","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T07:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/millennialgreen.me\/?p=1"},"modified":"2025-11-07T14:13:24","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T14:13:24","slug":"hello-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/millennialgreen.me\/?p=1","title":{"rendered":"001: Remote Work Was Slowly Draining Me"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tell me if you can relate to a situation like this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have woken up 1 minute before work starts today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have opened your laptop to log in (still in your pajamas, hair unbrushed, no shower, no breakfast).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just straight from bed to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And I don’t mean the occasional “overslept”<\/em> situation we’ve all experienced. I mean, EVERY SINGLE DAY looked like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My entire week looked like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I just didn’t have enough will to get up earlier and prepare myself for work, to be honest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re working from home and you’ve ever had days like this, you know exactly how it feels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am my own worst critic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So after countless mornings like these, I had had enough of my bullsh*t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The days rushed by, and I felt like I wasn’t doing ANYTHING valuable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was really hard to keep myself together mentally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So I knew that this was my wake-up call (pun intended xD)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Remote Work \u201cDream\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After the pandemic, I was super happy when the company I worked for at that time decided to go 100% remote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone could work from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best decision EVER, right? (little introvert inside me).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BUT nobody tells you that when you work from home, and your home becomes your office AND your actual home at the same time, you have to learn how to manage the difference and set the boundaries yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that’s harder than it sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

During my workday, I felt like time was rushing and the day was impossibly short:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • I ate my breakfast at my desk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • I struggled to meet task deadlines during the day, which made me super stressed and anxious.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • I couldn’t concentrate because I was obviously still sleepy.
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • People from work were constantly bombarding me with stuff to be done NOW.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    After work, I still had another “work”<\/em>, like keeping my apartment “tidy enough” (or close enough, if you will),<\/em> running errands, spending time with my boyfriend, and trying to do something for myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The days were passing by, and I felt like they were worthless. Like, can you imagine having days like this for years\u2026 nah, I’m not signing up for this.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Remote Work Burnout<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    I’d always struggled to get up early in my life. When the pandemic made remote work our reality, I didn’t have to wake up as early anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    No commute, no preparing lunch, no choosing outfits, no makeup (except when you have these annoying video calls), no drying my hair with this loud hairdryer in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So I slept longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Then I rushed to my desk to start work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After I finished work, I didn’t want to do anything else because I felt exhausted, as my whole day was pure chaos, and I felt like I was late for everything in this life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I couldn’t actually rest after work either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My head was still processing the recent task I was working on or some situation that happened during the day. I was physically done with work, but mentally still there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    I started noticing that because I worked from home, my home had become associated with work in my mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My entire day consisted of work, even when I wasn’t technically working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I didn’t do any workout or any other physical activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My muscles became sore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I started having back pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My sleep was in a tragic condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I was basically tired from the moment I woke up until I went to bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The lunch consisted of what was in my fridge, because the last thing I wanted after work was to stand and cook in the kitchen\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My usual lunch – sandwiches (bread, cheese, maybe some ham). Best lunch-to-go. Super healthy, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My apartment looked like a mess. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Plants were dried out. I can’t really count how many plants I’ve killed, and some of them were super close to death\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It’s Time to Do Something With It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The moment I realized something had to change was when I woke up one morning and thought: I hate this job. Just let them fire me. I need rest. I don’t want this anymore.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I was sick just thinking about opening the laptop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    One question came to my mind: Why am I thinking like this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My job wasn’t that bad or hard. I didn’t have bad colleagues. My boss didn’t force me to do overtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Maybe the problem wasn’t my job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Maybe I’m missing something or doing something wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Maybe the reason I feel drained and miserable is my habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I remember searching for an answer on YouTube and the internet overall. I watched and read a shit ton of videos and articles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The most common topic was something like “I fixed my morning routine”. I thought, “What happens if I just try?”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So I decided to work on my habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Slowly but Surely<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    I started small. Really small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Just kidding… I don’t shave my entire face…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • I started waking up 30 minutes before work <\/strong>(remember, I used to wake up 1 minute before). What could I do with these extra 30 minutes? At least take a shower. (Not bad for a beginning.)<\/em>
      <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Then, a week later, I woke up 1 hour before work<\/strong>. Now I had time for 20-30 minutes of yoga and a shower. (That sounds better.)<\/em>
      <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • One more week later, I woke up 1.5 hours before work.<\/strong> Yoga, shower, and breakfast. (Good! Keep it up!)<\/em>
      <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • And the IDEAL<\/strong> for me and actually DOABLE is 2 hours before work<\/strong> – I have time for yoga or a workout, shower, breakfast, and reading a few pages of a book or just chatting with my boyfriend, sipping our morning tea before my laptop actually appears in my field of view.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      And don’t think all my days look like this now. They don’t. I’m still struggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Sometimes I still wake up 1 minute before work. After that, I’m frustrated with myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      And the whole day then is an entire mess. But I’m really trying not to allow that anymore. But it still happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Of course, to prevent this, you need to go to sleep earlier and give up some late-night activities I obviously love, like late-night gaming (Witcher 3) or binge-watching Netflix (also Witcher season 4 xD).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      We’re all human. Life just happens. Not every morning is ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      To make it easy for myself, I started planning my morning the evening before:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • For yoga:<\/strong> I prepare my workout clothes in the evening so I don’t need to search for them in the morning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • For breakfast:<\/strong> In the evening, I scan my kitchen and figure out what I can eat tomorrow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        It feels really good to do something for yourself, and the way you want to do it, instead of being sort of forced to act this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        HAVING CONTROL<\/strong> – this is IT!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And I noticed that I feel so much better and calmer when I start my morning the way I want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I manage my work better when I start my day the way I WANT.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Like, I’m less susceptible to stress in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        So I have some energy left for other stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The 5 PM Rule<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        I’m also planning my evenings now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        5 PM hits – *the sound of a laptop closing*<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        I go for a walk immediately after work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Maybe to the park nearby or just a short walk around my neighborhood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Maybe I need to do some groceries or run errands (that counts as a walk for me as well).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        A walk inside the shopping mall, but still it’s better than nothing, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        You can do better!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The point is:<\/strong> I switch my brain from work-mode to life-focused<\/strong> mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        When I come home after that walk, I feel like something happened today, besides, I was just working all day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Find What Works for You<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Of course, this worked for me – changing my morning and evening habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What worked for me might not be the best solution for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I don’t know your work. I don’t know how your day looks. I don’t know your life and your struggles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        But the point is: prioritize yourself<\/strong> and take care of yourself.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Meaning, make it<\/strong> easier for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        By “it”<\/strong>, I mean LIFE<\/strong>, of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Three Things To Note<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        “Thing” #1:<\/strong> If you feel like you need some kind of mental health support to navigate these struggles, go for it! I didn’t seek help because I wasn’t sure I needed it. I figured it out myself. But honestly? It probably took me way longer than if someone had just shown me the right direction and guided me. My case is entirely mine. Besides, the reason you’re struggling might not be your habits. Or, at least not in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        “Thing” #2:<\/strong> If your job itself is draining you (not just your habits around it) – think about changing it. I know we all have responsibilities. People have loans, kids, and mortgages. I get it. But if the job itself is the reason you’re withering like a flower without water, this is the time to look for another opportunity. For me, it was my habits. For you, it might be the job itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        “Thing” #3:<\/strong> We’re all struggling. You’re not alone. But the key is TRYING to find a solution. It’s hard. But solving it feels empowering and liberating. If you noticed it and you’re already searching for a way out, it’s already a huge step in the right direction!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I’d love to hear from you (or actually read…)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Now, if you have felt like remote work is slowly draining you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What are you doing to prevent this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I’d love to hear what worked for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Drop a comment below.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Take care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And we’ll chat soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Bye!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Tell me if you can relate to a situation like this\u2026 You have woken up 1 minute before work starts today. You have opened your laptop to log in (still in your pajamas, hair unbrushed, no shower, no breakfast). Just straight from bed to work. And I don’t mean the occasional “overslept” situation we’ve all […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":410,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/millennialgreen.me\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/millennialgreen.me\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/millennialgreen.me\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/millennialgreen.me\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/millennialgreen.me\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/millennialgreen.me\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":423,"href":"https:\/\/millennialgreen.me\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1\/revisions\/423"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/millennialgreen.me\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/410"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/millennialgreen.me\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/millennialgreen.me\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/millennialgreen.me\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}