10 Silly (and Serious) Dangers of Working From Home
Dream or Nightmare?
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Working from home seems like a dream – no commute, flexible hours, wearing pajamas all day. But beneath this remote paradise lie sneaky pitfalls that no one warns you about. Over time, I've discovered unexpected dangers—from last-minute video call scrambles to a snack addiction—that can derail your work-life balance. In this article, I'll share these quirky yet serious risks so you can enjoy WFH without falling into its traps.
Accidentally Attending Meetings with Bed-Head
Getting dressed for video calls seems so 2020 – which was FIVE YEARS AGO, and seems like an eternity. These days, virtual meetings are so commonplace they feel like second nature. I can show up moments before the meeting, with barely enough time to find the link, and still feel satisfied. I’ve gotten way too comfortable sliding in at the last moment.
The awkwardness when I forget my camera is on, or when I need to turn it on suddenly, is totally worth those extra minutes of sleep, right?! But, more than a few times, I’ve had to come up with an excuse to be off-camera. I’ve come to realize it’s because I’m too comfortable with “not being seen.” On a deeper level, I’m simply not engaging in good self-care, and I’m ignoring it. It’s bigger than brushing my teeth and hair “for the camera”—I need to do it for MYSELF. I’ve got to show up taken care of, and ready, not as an act of flopping across the desk and barely making the start of the meeting. That is not a “win,” and it’s not aligned with my values. It’s only aligned to my excuses and neglected self-care.
Working from home can cause you to lose the sense of being visible. We all risk becoming way too comfortable staying out of sight, but ultimately, we are the ones who pay the price
Developing Crippling Addiction to Snack Deliveries
Past-me couldn't fathom needing Uber Eats deliveries three times a day. But present-me seemingly can't function without hourly infusions of snacks. Sure, I used to judge the idea of an “11 a.m. donut delivery.” Now I know better.
Working from home transformed me from a snack rookie to a snack overlord. I bow to you, beloved delivery drivers, fueling my perilous chip addiction. The kitchen is a mere 20 feet away, and my phone is awash with food delivery options. If I’m honest, I knew WFH might not be great for my food choices, but even I am shocked by the number of calories creeping into my days. Without conscious effort and some accountability, WFH can quickly turn into BFH—Binge From Home!
Furry, Feathered, or Fuzzy: How would you like your distraction?
Working alone was lonely at first—cue my animal rescue impulse. Flash forward three months, and I now share my home office with fifteen cats, and a fish named ‘Whale’. Productivity has plummeted under this furry chaos, yet I just can't say no to their cute faces. Who needs human connection when you have Mr. Shadow-fluff to chat with? I swear I'm not becoming an actual cat lady!
The pets we used to leave for 10–12 hours now demand our attention every 18 minutes. And when I see their little faces—chuckling as they trip over themselves—it suddenly hits me: these adorable creatures have become giant time vampires in my day. It’s not just a “distraction,” it’s a cuddly, dopamine-laced distraction that nuzzles, bats its eyes, and makes me smile! Of course, our pet companions deserve our love, but let’s be real—we need to monitor how much time and energy they are getting during work hours. Whale barely notices me, and I think he likes it that way.
Holding Press Conferences With Houseplants
In the before times, I presented to actual humans. But plants make a captive Zoom audience! My weekly state-of-the-union houseplant addresses start professionally. By the end, I'm spilling inner turmoil to a fern.
I thought, “I should switch to fake plants to avoid this downward spiral...” but now my and his plastic cousin, Bella the Orchid, are in rapt attendance for every presentation I do. If your houseplants are getting too much of a role in your life, it might be time to get out and talk to actual people. Isolation and disconnection are REAL issues—even if you don’t like people that much!
Be careful not to let face-to-face interactions slip too far out of your life. Forgetting other people exist—or almost not caring—was a shock! I can go weeks without seeing anyone besides my partner, the plant-congress, bodiless faces on my computer screen, or the delivery folks. To combat this, I've started waving to neighbors just to remind myself that there are people right next door. Left unchecked, I fear I may lose the ability to socially interact with actual humans. Zoom calls can't replicate real bonds, and prolonged isolation can quickly lead to social anxiety! To counteract this, I’ve made more frequent efforts to engage with the world. I even ventured out to sit in public just to be “IN PUBLIC.” I doubt the barista even realized I was practicing being human with her. Then again, hearing the people behind me barking single-syllable orders at her, maybe I was the most delightful part of her day!!
Getting Trapped Under an Avalanche of Laundry
Working from home eliminates the need for real pants—we all know this, right? But this newfound freedom comes with a terrifying risk: the dreaded laundry pile collapse. Last week, I went to grab the mail and was buried under an Everest of unfolded t-shirts! I survived, but I’ll never underestimate the lethal laundry pile again. Stay vigilant, fellow WFHers. It’s far too tempting, or easy, to give in to work when it’s only a few feet away. With that ease, it is tempting to just keep working. Before you know it, you’re exhausted and the housework is piling up. The tricky part? You never really get ahead at work—and you just fall further behind on everything else. Take 20 minutes and clean something up. Then, do it again tomorrow. And for those of us with ADHD tendencies, we live by the mantra: “Don’t put it down, put it away.” This little ritual might just be a lifesaver.
Turning Into Gollum from the Lack of Sunlight
I started WFH in 2002, way before it was ‘cool’, looking like a relatively normal human. Now? I resemble Gollum from Lord of the Rings. Years without much sunlight have transformed me into a pasty cave creature. The minutes I spend lurking near windows for photosynthesis barely sustain me. If I don't get some beach time soon, full Gollum-ification awaits. We want the precious vitamin D—we do!
Seriously though, when you design your home for comfort, it’s too easy to just stay indoors. But genuine outside time is essential for ALL living things—including you. Get some rays, feel the breeze, and reconnect with nature. And if all else fails, at least get those vitamin D levels checked!
Proposing Marriage to Food Delivery Person
Sometimes 3 p.m. arrives and I realize I've spoken absolutely zero words out loud. Last week, in a fit of isolation-induced delirium, I proposed to my DoorDash guy; he politely declined but said he was flattered. We've agreed to just be nacho delivery friends.
The fear of shattering social isolation can sometimes lead to questionable romantic impulses—like imagining your delivery person as your next great love. But let’s be mindful: loneliness is a normal human experience from time to time, but if you’re picturing celebrating the holidays with the person who delivers your coffee, it might be time to explore dating apps. Ask yourself: what do you truly want for your life? Is it unfolding the way you envision? Social connection is essential, but it goes beyond mere interaction. If you find yourself lacking meaningful relationships, let my misstep with Nacho-Friend Amir serve as your wake-up call.
Spontaneously Moving to Uruguay
Boredom makes you do crazy things, like emailing Uruguayan real estate agents on a whim. Once I actually started pricing Montevideo apartments online, I knew I had to get a grip. The walls are closing in, but uprooting to Uruguay is an overreaction. Maybe someday, Uruguay!
The joy of WFH is that you can work from anywhere. But this doesn’t mean you pack and move without careful consideration. Buying those $1 houses in Italy might sound amazing, but it’s not a $1 activity overall—right?! We can, and should, embrace a wide range of possibilities. Just exercise caution before booking your travel arrangements. The truth is, completely changing your life by relocating to a different city, state, region, or country could be exactly what livens up your future, but please make those decisions carefully. Try and scrape off the rose-colored fog of sipping tea on your new castle’s balcony, just long enough to weigh all the options—agreed?
Morphing Into a Slug
Not exercising has consequences. My 20+ years as a desk-jockey have seen me gain about six pounds a year. Do the math—it’s not good. Those first six pounds? No big deal. But the rest have added up. By that time, the pattern and habits were in full swing! As evidenced by all the references I've mentioned so far, the signs are there! Today, I tried to put on skinny jeans, and they simply said, “No.” I vividly remember moving around, flexing my legs, and bending in half. Where did those days go? Fortunately, I did catch myself a few months ago. Since then, I’ve doubled my daily step count and started stretching. It’s not fun, it’s work. But I know I’m worth it. Baby steps are still steps, and my Fitbit counts them!
Death by comfort
The number one danger of WFH? Getting so wrapped up in the challenges of managing remote work that you unconsciously surrender to the couch. Taking care of yourself, maintaining healthy work/life harmony, handling responsibilities, engaging with the people become harder when a new episode of your favorite show is just waiting for you. I’m looking at you, Star Trek!
Slipping from work-mode into avoidance mode is just as risky as overworking. And, with that inviting sectional just a few feet away—complete with a handy end table for your drink and a pile of seasonal fluffy pillows—the temptation can be overwhelming. Too many businesses have shut down because the WFH dynamic wasn’t mastered. The very ease of working from home can, ironically, become the biggest obstacle to success.
Honestly, I wouldn’t go back to an office though. Working from home is everything I envisioned, and more. I wouldn’t trade it for anything, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity. That said, it requires attention and effort to keep it from spiraling into a toxic trap that can impact your well-being, your health, and your relationships. So, take my advice and embrace the work it takes to maintain balance! You’ve got this, you can WFH, handle life, and even have clean pants while doing it.
So, what about you?
Are you a die-hard WFH warrior or an office devotee? Have you nailed that elusive work/home balance—or are you still dancing between the two?
Drop your quirky tips and experiences below!
Okay, okay - I don't have cats. I'm a dog-lady these days, but still....