From one remote worker to another… is a lunch break really a break if we spend it in the same chair?

When I worked in person, I got so tired of traveling every day. I had to get ready to leave home with enough time to make it to the bus, get to work, and then make the trip back. When I arrived home, I wanted to sit down and stay there. If somebody had offered me a job I could do from my living room, I would have been very interested. And in fact, that’s what I did. 

Now that I work from home, I appreciate being able to skip that commute. I don’t miss having to leave early or thinking about the journey home before I’ve even finished working. Being able to close my laptop and already be home is lovely. But by midday, I need to go somewhere. Now that leaving the house is optional, my workday needs a little fresh air too. So I try to make time to walk a little, get something to eat, or buy something I need. After spending the entire morning working at home, even an errand sounds appealing. I’ve reached the point where needing something from the store can improve my lunch plans. Finally, somewhere to go! I’ll get dressed for the occasion. It makes me laugh because I used to be so relieved to get home, and now I sometimes feel that same relief when I step outside. Working remotely is still great if you manage to organize your day so it includes something beyond sitting in the same place and looking at a screen your entire shift.