The Quirks of Remote Work: How Working from Home Changes Us
Working from home has undeniably brought a wave of flexibility and convenience into our lives. For many, it means skipping the daily commute, fitting in a midday workout, or even avoiding the rigid structures of formal workwear. While some argue that remote work boosts productivity, others admit it’s simply a matter of maintaining the same level of efficiency. However, there’s a lesser-discussed side effect of working from home: the development of strange, often deeply personal habits that might never surface in an office setting. Without the watchful eyes of colleagues or the structured environment of a traditional workplace, people tend to embrace quirks they’d otherwise keep hidden.
The Decline of Grooming Standards and the Rise of Unusual Routines
Anouska Shenn, a U.K.-based workplace wellness expert, is no stranger to this phenomenon. On days without meetings, she indulges in elaborate beauty routines, applying and removing face masks, wrinkle patches, and hair curlers—practices she admits are “not other-people appropriate.” These rituals, which she describes as a luxury, are made possible by the privacy of her home. Similarly, Nick Bloom, a Stanford economist, has observed that remote workers often let their grooming standards slip. His research reveals that 73% of remote workers shower before starting work, compared to 85% of in-office workers, and 81% use deodorant versus 95% of those in traditional office settings. While some might find these habits endearing or convenient, they highlight a larger trend: the blurring of personal and professional boundaries.
Rusty Social Skills and the Struggle of Re-entering the Office
The isolation of remote work doesn’t just affect grooming; it also takes a toll on social skills. William Chopik, a social-personality psychologist at Michigan State University, notes that being around others polices our behavior, keeping us more vigilant and less prone to distractions or quirky habits like talking to ourselves or breaking into spontaneous song. Without these social checks, people often develop behaviors they’d never exhibit in public. For instance, one remote worker admitted to doing work in the bathtub, a habit that might raise eyebrows in an office. These quirks can make the transition back to in-person work awkward, as people struggle to readjust to the norms of face-to-face interaction.
Navigating the Hybrid Work Landscape
The rise of hybrid work models has only compounded the issue. While some thrive in the flexibility of splitting time between home and office, others find the constant shift disorienting. Eric Mochnacz, an HR consultant in New York, describes his at-home routine as “unique,” involving early-morning Wordle games, spontaneous dance sessions to Taylor Swift tracks, and midday chores. While these habits make him feel more productive and stress-free, they also create challenges when he’s in the office. Mochnacz admits to being overly chatty in person, a compensatory behavior for the isolation of remote work. His experience reflects a broader truth: the weirdness of working from home doesn’t always stay at home.
The Road to Recovery: Rebuilding Social Skills and Norms
The good news is that while social skills can rust, they can also be revived. Constance Noonan Hadley, an organizational psychologist, emphasizes that social skills are not fixed traits but rather abilities that can be trained and improved. For example, Cody Baertschi, a digital marketer in Minnesota, has mastered virtual communication but struggles with old-school small talk. He and his wife even pre-rehearse conversations before meeting other parents, a testament to how out of practice they’ve become. However, these challenges also present an opportunity for growth. By acknowledging the awkwardness and making an effort to reconnect, people can gradually rebuild their interpersonal skills.
Embracing the New Normal and Finding Balance
As the world settles into a post-pandemic reality, one thing is clear: remote work is here to stay, at least in some form. While it’s easy to bemoan the loss of traditional office culture, it’s equally important to recognize the unique benefits of working from home—benefits that include the freedom to embrace our quirks and prioritize well-being. The key is striking a balance between the comfort of solitude and the vitality of human connection. Whether it’s commiserating with coworkers about the weirdness of remote work or carving out time for in-person interactions, finding this balance is crucial for navigating the new normal. After all, as Emily Stewart, a senior correspondent at Business Insider, reminds us, the line between appropriate and inappropriate behavior is often clearer to others than it is to ourselves.
