As many of you know, I've been working from home for about two years now. I've got my routine down to a science, and I try my hardest to stick to it because my job sucks the life out of me through my eye sockets, and every little thing, like having a routine, helps. Having plenty of distractions on hand helps, too, which was a large reason why I starting this blog. By immersing myself in my Reader, killing time on Twitter, or writing new posts, it's easier to ignore the fact that I'm slowly being reduced to a puddle of goo by the parasite that provides my paycheck.
Staying inside my apartment for a majority of the week and not getting a whole lot of interaction with the Outside World has affected me, and there is no sense in denying that. No matter what I try to do to keep my brain on the positive side of the spectrum while being home all the time, there are times where I force myself to stop and take a look at what I've become. Sometimes I don't recognize myself, and it's those times where I know I need to get out and be around people for a while. Those of you who spend a large amount of time at home will know what I mean, and you'll agree that during those times, it doesn't matter what you do or where you go, so long as you're no longer captive inside those same four walls.
Having spent so much time at home over the past two years, I've sort of become an expert on knowing when it's time to step on out into the light. In case you were wondering how to tell, I've narrowed down the quite extensive list to just ten things one should look out for if they're afraid they spend too much time at home.
Ten Signs You Spend Too Much Time At Home:
- You can walk around your entire house in the dark with your eyes closed, maneuvering around all the clutter and junk your family has left around without disturbing any of it.
- Your weekly laundry is made up mostly of pajamas, underwear, and socks.
- Putting on "nice clothes" means you put on a t-shirt without any stains or holes in it, and a pair of jeans.
- When people ask you how you style your hair, you hold up your hands and wiggle your fingers.
- You've built a close relationship with the dust bunny, Henry, that lives under your desk.
- You know what time of day it is by the angle of the sunbeams coming in through the window.
- You know how many steps it takes to get from where you are to any given place in the house.
- You can find a beat worth tapping your foot to in the sound of the dishwasher.
- You know what day of the week it is more by the pair of underwear that you're wearing than by the calendar on the wall (and they are not Day Of The Week underwear).
- The general mood for the day is set by the quality of your morning bowel movement.
It's sad but true: a bunch of these are actually true for me. It's how I knew I had a problem on my hands, and part of what is spurring me to put more effort into looking for a different job that gets me out of the house. The job market sucks around here, like I'm sure it does everywhere else, but I'm trying.
For those of you who are at home a lot, are any of these true for you? What other signs can you think of?
52 Comments:
When I am at home too much, my hands become numb on the pinky side clear down to the elbow, from spending too much time on the computer.
I am actually home today trying to keep lil moonspun from getting sicker. I will have to add that not being home also allows Henry's dust bunny cousins to multiply rapidly. In fact as I type I can see the ones that are under the bookcase that I've watched grow for a couple weeks. Apparently I have forgotten where the vacuum is...
You can count down your work hours by how many episodes of Cash Cab you watch - in the background of course.
How timely. Yesterday my facebook status was updated to:
What sort of sad statement does it make about my life that it feels REALLY weird to be showered, dressed and wearing make-up at 11:00 am? I'm usually showered and dressed by 3...
So. Yeah. I think I know exactly where you're coming from...
Do you ever scream then scurry when confronted with bright light and groups of people? You MIGHT be a Gremlin...
oh yeah, I can identify. I do have an office but I can work from home as much as I want. Most of the realtors in my office only work from home.
It's not good for me. I find myself sitting here until 2 pm without having washed my face, brushed teeth or combed hair. NOT a pretty sight.
Hehehehe, I feel ya, my friend (well, not literally, so don't worry)...if it was socially acceptable, I would go everywhere in my pajamas...
I think #10 applies to office grunts as well. At least this one.
And I too would go EVERYWHERE in my pajamas if people wouldnt look at me funny. As it is I DO wear them to the C Store and the Laundromat sometimes. And I am NOT the only one lol.
I work in an office, and most of those apply.
#1, insert copy paper boxes for junk
#4, yep, finger wiggles
#5, mine is named Gustave, he lives in the corner behind my computer monitor
#6, I don't clock the time of day, as much as the time of year
#7, steps to the copy machine, the restroom, and the front door
#8, our fax machine and copier put out some wicked beats
#9, same clothes, every week, I might mix them up a little...but it's still the same clothes
#10, I think this relates to anyone...no matter where they are
:-)
I can always tell what time of day it is by what is on the tv. I get all f*d up when the line up changes though..... lol
I don't think I could ever spend too much time at home. I say that now though, when I am rarely home long enough to wash my clothes... My best friend works at home, and I thought that the fact that she could recite every single local low-quality day-time television commercial, was a pretty big sign she needs to get out of the house. (and also watch better t.v.)
I have a dust rhino that lives under our copier. He's very friendly.
I'll have to ask my husband if those are true....
You count down the hours until a real! live! human comes home to see you.
Great post - I recognise a lot of myself here at times.
You know which neighbor is home by the sound of their freakin' lawn equipment.
You know the location of every piece of junk food in the house, and balance the decision of what to eat with your desire to go to the store to get more when that's gone.
how is henry?
After I had Jacskson I was baracaded inside due to the fact I couldn't drive and also because he was a preemie and it wasn't good to expose him to other people/children right away.
I was really depressed. I was uncomfortable in my skin and felt anxious all the time. I swear it was a real low point for me.
Getting back to work (even my crappy job) did wonders. Don't ever underestimate the power that sunshine and human interaction has over you!
BTW: #10? Awesome!
Numbers 1, 2, 7, and 10 are true for me. I don't work from home, but I rarely leave the house unless it's for work.
Actually, 10 is true for any day, WFH or not.
After working in an office for so long and sharing my day with a bunch of asshats, some of those actually sound good to me. I think I could get used to pajamas all day. Plus I'd rather spend time with Henry than some of my co-workers.
I know. The grass is always greener...
Yes, I too know I spend way to much time working at home when my laundry is mostly pajamas.
I still get out of my hole to teach three days a week, though, so that's enough for me. :)
I don't have any to add because, well, it's early and I have to go out to clean up old people....but I think I have Henry's twin sister here. She's HUGE!
Great post!
I recently had my gall bladder removed so I was home...ALOT. I was home for 2 weeks & Omg I hear ya on the signs you've been home to long. I didn't realize I was memorizing the jingles in the commercials & all the sales & could basically act in the commercials. It was pretty bad. i was happy I got out of the house. hehe.
Every time I tell people I would kill to work from home, they insist it would get old. Um, I'm ready for it to get old.
I need to keep this one saved in my "reasons not to become a recluse" folder... I've been weighing pros and cons.
the entire list made me crack up. I especially love that your dust bunny has a first name.
the entire list made me crack up. I especially love that your dust bunny has a first name.
I worked at home three years and I knew it was bad when I didn't shower or wash my hair because I knew I wasn't going anywhere.
Man, working from home would drive me completely insane. I already go insane when I stay home to do school work, instead of going to the library. I just feel that much less motivated for anything in life. Although I kind of like watching the sunbeams change. That there makes me feel more in tune with nature.
I can totally walk around my house blindfolded. And it wasn't so much a dustbunny for me as it was a couple cobwebs I developed a fondness for. The worst part of being home all day for me is not wanting to make an actual lunch. Why bother when I can just walk right into the kitchen and grab a handful of this or that, whatever is easiest.
I will say though, that I keep some of my sense of humanity by dressing myself every single day, even if I know that no one outside my family will even see me. I always put on real clothes, I never sit around in jammies. Then if someone comes to the door unexpectedly, or if I have to run out for a quick errand, I don't feel like such a creepy little hermit.
11. When the walk to the mailbox seems like a journey too big to handle.
12. When you fall in love with your neighbour just because she said "hi" to you when you actually dared that journey to the mailbox.
13. When you hide behind the kitchen counters while your windows are being cleaned by "the crew".
14. When you totally freak out and run and hide when the phone - or worse the DOORBELL rings!
15. When you thereupon turn off the bells - door, phone and all - for good.
16. When you get angered by your pet just because she's laying there sleeping.
17. When you start chasing that pet around the house because you're just so angry with her and scaring the bejeesus out of her.
18. When you then feel a sense of sickening satisfaction afterward.
19. When the people on TV become your best friends.
20. When you feel that you've finally overcome your need for human or any kind of companionship and congratulate yourself to that accomplishment.
21. When you go on to celebrate that accomplishment with your imaginary best friend: Henry Thoreau.
Hey! I've had my share and I thank my lucky stars for my job in mean old customer service these days.
So - go on, keep looking, it'll only get worse.
otherwise that is.
when I'm home too much, the couch tends to get a dent the exact size of my butt (read: large).
But right now, it missed me.
Good luck with the search. It's tough out there right now...
Ugh. Yes. I can relate. I'm at home a lot at the moment because I have two very young sons and it's difficult to get out anywhere with them. I find it very isolating. During the summer months I would go out every night for a run - that was great. Now I need to find something new, other than blogging... I've no advice, just keep looking for something that's right for you I guess.
I wish I was at home a lot...all those things sound lovely!
To help break up the day, Brent would go for runs or bring me lunch...just little things to get OUT. That really seemed to help him.
Years ago I used to work from home - but for all of these reasons - I had to get out in the real world again, or risk never meeting anyone and becoming crazy Dust Bunny Lady (I'm allergic to cats) However, I can't have any silence, but the radio raised problems because I would sign on conference calls...So I would always have the tv on. That's how I would tell time. "Oh, Ellen is on. It's 11:00"
Hey... waaaaiit a minute... is that dustbunny's last name Thoreau?!!
You. Are. In. Trouble. :-\
;)
Dude. I was a stay at home mom for about a year and a half, and I totally feel you. My "nice" clothes included pajama bottoms that did not have paint on them.
Haha you are the coolest!
Since I work outside of and inside of the house, 80 percent @ home, I can tell you that you might long for the days of Henry, the dustbunny, when Henry, the asshole you have to sit next to all day never stops talking or clearing his throat ;)
Good luck with the job search, though!!
Um.. I work from home most of the time. I get dressed, showered, makeup (just a touch), clean clothes every day.. does that make me weird??
Oh... I also sleep until 9:00 most days.. begin my day with lunch and drink wine promptly at 5:00 - life is good.
Jan: Yeah, that happens.
Moonspun: I don't own a vacuum. Seriously.
Marni: Oh, of course.
Tammy Howard: Sounds like it. =)
Logical Libby: Uh oh...
Sandy: I hate it when I forget to brush my teeth.
Organic Meatbag: I'd prefer you don't feel me. Nothing personal.
Melissa: Pajamas are considered to be commonplace here, at least at Walmart.
Nej: #10 is really a world-wide thing.
Megan: I don't watch much daytime TV. Too many soaps.
Carissa Jaded: Sounds like she needs cable.
Mrs Soup: A dust rhino? I'm jealous!
Aunt Becky: Yes, that too.
Myster G: Scary, isn't it?
Mumma Boo: The food thing is especially true.
Miss Mariposa: He's doing well, thanks for asking.
Amy: Going out in public does help me quite a bit. It reminds me how much people tend to annoy me. ;)
Jaime: #10 is just important.
Employee No 3699: Henry is a pretty good companion.
Jade: My laundry almost always is 85% pajamas.
Mad Woman: Thank you!
Melanie's Randomness: Some of those commercials are pretty catchy, though.
X: Old can be good sometimes.
GirlVaughn: What are the good reasons to become a recluse?
JennyMac: He has a middle name and a last name, too, but he prefers his anonymity.
Dsmcaron: I've done that many times. Not recently, though.
Daria: I enjoy watching the sunbeams change, too. It's relaxing.
Christina: When I first started watching "The Office" a couple years back, I wanted to be in the show SO BADLY.
Amber Page: My computer chair gets a decent ass-dent, too.
Lady Mama: Blogging does wonders.
Janie: They can be. =)
NFTG: I wish I could get away from work enough to do those things.
Minivan Soapbox: I've been having the radio on at my desk lately. It helps pass the time.
Christina: No, his last name is a secret. ;)
Coach J: My nice PJ's don't have a hole in the crotch.
Lola: Good point.
The Good Cook: Weird? Not at all. I always shower and get dressed, just not into real clothes.
Aunt Juicebox: Sorry, I missed your comment somehow. I'm always dressed in something reasonably presentable, just not always good-for-public.
Mae: I missed yours, too! I'm sucking at this game tonight. Thank you.
I can totally relate to you BAG ! I am a stay-at-home mum and feel awful hard to keep motivated to shower and get out on the days my kid doesn't go to kinder ..:)p.s. so do you always get a pair of jammies as a bonus gift other than your regular gift on bdays and others..?just curious :p
Btw,delurking after nearly a yr and half of following your blog ( I have it bookmarked ), just wanted to say you rock !! you keep it real and fun to read ! keep up the great work !
KR: Thank you for delurking! I hope you continue to comment. I don't often get pajamas as gifts, but when I go to buy clothes at the store, they are more often than not of the PJ variety.
I wonder if work is like hair: we always want what we don't have? I would *kill* to work from home, but I'd bet money I'd end up in the same place you're in (and for the record, I'd trade my curly hair for straight hair in a heart beat).
I've lived here 3 years and STILL walk into shit, even with the lights on (and have the big, black bruises to prove it, damned dresser anyhow), but I think that's more a by-product of being clutzy & not paying enough attention.
Hey badass geek, I like your blog. funny. I have always dreamed of working from home but never mustered the nerve to do it for the exact reasons you mention here. I would soon degenerate into the picture you paint here, along the lines of the Nick Lowe song, Lately I've Let Things Slide:
Excerpt:
With a growing sense of dread
And a hammer in my head
Fully clothed upon the bed
I wake up to the world
That lately I've been living in
There's a cut upon my brow
Must have banged myself somehow
But I can't remember now
And the front door's open wide
Lately I've let things slide
I go to the bin
I throw the laundry in
And pick out the cleanest shirt
Then I tell myself again
I don't really hurt
Smoking I once quit
Now I got one lit
I just fell back into it
Along with my pride
Lately I've let things slide....
[more]
The bowel movement! So true.
And if I've had more than twenty mugs of tea, just as something to do. Or if I start checking my email every two minutes. Or if I consider watching Murder, She Wrote. Even worse if I actually do.
(Been there, sending you hugs.)
You know me...I LOVE a good Top 10 list and this seems to have it covered. Truth be told, my wife won't let me sit around my house for very long before we HAVE to go do something. She is not a homebody at all! So...good job on the list and it has my approval!
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