Nobody Talks About This: The Struggles of Working Remotely
When COVID hit and my corporate job went fully remote, I thought I had hit the jackpot. No commute, no dress code. Just me, my laptop, and endless freedom. Or so I thought.
In reality, I spent my days working from bed with no systems, no routines, and definitely no office space. Like most people, I assumed it was temporary. But two years in, the “temporary” had become permanent. I found myself depressed, unmotivated, and completely out of control. I hadn’t come to terms with the fact that remote work was my new normal, and without structure, my home no longer felt like a safe space. Instead, it felt like I lived at work.
To make matters worse, clients assumed that because I worked from home, I was always available. Spoiler: I’m not. They quickly learned I’m only reachable Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. That was the turning point. I realized if I wanted remote work to be sustainable, I needed boundaries, routines, and real separation between work and life. So, here are the five biggest struggles I’ve faced working from home and the systems I’ve put in place to overcome them!
Here are five things I’ve learned that nobody really tells you:
1. The Diligence It Takes to Create Routine
When you’re in an office, the day has a natural rhythm: arrive, grab coffee, meetings, lunch, more meetings, head home. Remote work? Your world is your oyster and if you’re not careful, your days blur together. Creating routine takes effort, and sticking to it takes discipline. It’s not about being rigid; it’s about giving yourself the structure to thrive.
2. Getting Dressed Every Day (Yes, It Matters)
It sounds small, but it’s everything. Staying in pajamas all day can make you feel sluggish and blur the line between “home” and “work.” And if I don't get dressed for the day you can guarantee I'm not going to leave. Getting dressed signals to your brain that the day has started. It’s a subtle mindset shift, but it makes all the difference.
3. Having a Daily Out-of-the-House Activity (Extra Hard in Winter)
This one is tough, especially if you live somewhere with long winters like me. Leaving the house daily whether it’s for a walk, a quick errand, or eating lunch outside helps break up the monotony. It’s not about productivity; it’s about giving your brain a reset and your body a reminder that the world is bigger than your laptop screen.
4. The Importance of Eating Real Meals (and on Time)
It’s shockingly easy to forget to eat when you’re at home. Or worse, you snack all day and never actually have a proper meal. Both throw off your energy. Not eating on time is a sure way to get me to spend all my money on eating out too. Making sure you actually stop for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (at real times, not 3 p.m. “lunch”) keeps you fueled and prevents burnout.
5. Having a Close-the-Door Office Space
Maybe the most important thing of all: separation. If your “office” is the couch, you’ll never truly switch off. Having a space with a door you can close (literally or symbolically) creates boundaries. When you’re done for the day, you shut the door and walk away. Work stays there, life happens everywhere else.
And I know what you’re probably thinking: “Poor her, she has to figure out how to eat lunch and put on pants while working from HOME. Must be SO hard.” Fair. Remote work comes with a ton of privileges, and I don’t take that lightly. But the reality is, working from “anywhere” isn’t the dream people imagine. If I want to give my clients my full attention, deliver real results, and keep my sanity intact, I need to be at home with systems, routines, and boundaries that make me the best partner I can be.