Increased cynicism, irritability, and impatience. Finding it difficult to concentrate. Greater than normal consumption of alcohol. Lacking energy. These may sound like a typical day living in 2020. They are also tell-tale signs of burnout.

Over seven months into life with COVID the grand WFH experiment is showing signs of breaking. A recent survey of tech workers showed that almost 70% of employees feel more burned out than they did when they worked at the office. The lack of commute was supposed to make things better with less wasted time. Unfortunately, another recent study proved what we’ve been feeling this whole time. Instead of devoting the time to a hobby or unwinding, we all put it towards something we could do with less of: work. Based on the study, the extra time spent not commuting goes toward:

• 35.3%: Primary job

• 15.5%: Chores

• 11.1%: Childcare

• 8.4%: Second job

• 29.7%: Leisure activities

When COVID lockdowns first started I, like most friends of mine, loved the lack of a commute. I realize now the commute along with other transition moments - the walk back to my desk after a meeting, going to and from lunch, stepping out to Philz for a walking 1:1 - were important moments of pause. Opportunities to reset. Recalibrate. As the pandemic rages on, these resets have been whittled away to dust. We’re left with browser windows littered with Zoom ‘joining meeting’ tabs, using app loading and unmute time to try and remember the context for the meeting that is about to start. Remote work without these transitions makes it extremely hard to turn off the office. Sometimes it feels like we’re not working from home at all - we’re just sleeping at work.

This week I was reminded of advice a mentor gave me when my son was born. “No matter how your day has gone, once you get home your family needs you to be Dad.” He told me he used the sound of the car door closing to signal his brain it was time to show up for the family. I started using the car door sound myself. It served as a wonderful transition moment for me. Now, as we enter another month living with COVID and what is sure to be a hectic week ahead, I am attempting to prioritize alternatives to my ‘car door’ moment. I encourage you to find yours. Big or small, build them into your schedule. Be ruthless about protecting them. Find space for yourself. As nights get longer, days get colder, and challenges continue to mount, we’re going to need all the strength, fortitude, and hope we can muster.

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