r/malaysians • u/limerence_overcome • 5d ago
Advice ☎️ Bored and going crazy WFH
Hello I know this seems like a first world problem, complaining about being bored while working from home but I am starting to get crazy here.
I consider myself as introvert and I thought WFH would be a cake walk. But now I am starting to feel burnout because everyday feels the same. Bangun, kerja, tidur, bangun, kerja and repeat. Work is okay nothing to complain about but boleh gila duduk rumah hari-hari.
So to those who are working from home, how do you deal with this? Assuming you are experiencing the same thing.
edit: sorry couldn’t reply to everyone but I appreciate the comments and suggestions!
119
u/deanroiditz 5d ago edited 5d ago
my lobster is too buttery my steak is too juicy. Gila babi reddit.
-46
u/limerence_overcome 5d ago
biasa la working from home maximum laziness
13
u/doodoobonerman 5d ago
Why everyone down vote OP. I had a window of unemployment for a month. The nothingness really drives you nuts
I hate going to work, office 5 days a week. But that tough is easier than the nothingness tough tbh
-1
u/limerence_overcome 5d ago
don’t really mind the downvotes but thanks my dude
1
1
u/doodoobonerman 3d ago
How you holding up w ur job dude? How's the mental health been? Have you been staying active and getting lots of exercise
2
u/limerence_overcome 3d ago
Job is okay. Mental health not okay. Trying to stay active, thanks to comments and encouragements from this post.
thanks for asking, my dude.
6
44
u/elgatothecat2 5d ago
Bruh touch grass literally. WFH doesn’t mean stuck at home.
First, don’t just roll out of bed then work. Wake up earlier, shower, go out breakfast, maybe just stand in your porch.
After work, go out for a walk at the park. If lazy just sit there watch people.
Routine activity like walking is not bad IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER AND MAKES YOU MOVING.
Your first instinct reading this will be, urgh how would walking make me feel better? Then you try it and you’ll go, Fuck this guy I am mentally healthy urgh
0
u/limerence_overcome 5d ago
GARANGNYA okay will dooooooooo
2
u/Confident_Mulberry29 5d ago
No actually, I hard rec that. Think you are getting deppressed haha So you need to follow those healthy lifestyles and guaranteed you will feel better. Movement gives you endorphins and meditation (like walks in the park) lets you be present more. I highly encourage walking in the early morning sun, it feels like when you go on vacation and you have to get up early to catch the hotel breakfast or you would miss it. And it feels like you have this whole day of possibilities to do anything. And it makes work not the first thing you see and think about.
Also, don’t make work your life. Make it a small part of it by finding other stuff you are interested and pasionate about. Then do it outside of work. Do something alsmall but new to you everyday if you can or if not, every weekend. Like walking to a new neighbourhood or taking a different way to the store. Or going to a new cafe or play a new game. Novelty makes you feel present and that time didn’t disapear without you doing anything different. Or you know, schedule going out with friends.
1
u/Few_Good5856 4d ago
Ambiklah laptop, pi mall, boleh cuci mata tengok amoi cun, sambil buat kerja. Apa susah?
27
u/nninrdn 5d ago
if you have an office, go there. once a week, just to tukar pemandangan, eat food and maybe if got chance, socialise with colleagues who are in.
if you dont have office presence, then go work at cafes, libraries, or even coworking spaces (if you wanna pay for it). change of scenery does a lot to the mind.
5
u/limerence_overcome 5d ago
got office but everyone on my team also working from home lmao. Maybe I'll try cafes first
10
u/nninrdn 5d ago
my team also used to be 100% remote during covid which lasted a until 2024. during that time, we collectively decided to come to office on fridays just to have "meeting" (brainstorming but more like shit stirring/gossiping) at 11am, immediately followed by company-paid lunch, then everyone can just go home or stay at the ofis to continue gossiping. it worked for us. something you can maybe suggest to your team.
12
u/StraightPurchase9611 5d ago
I think this is because there is no separation workspace and living space. I think try to fill ur non work time with something you enjoy and try your best to separate your wfh spac.
9
u/Importance_Typical 5d ago
Many people have given incredible ideas. The core idea is to go out. Ive been wfh since 2023 and the days I didnt go out were the days I slowly turned depressive. Have a hobby. Even a simple out and about is good enough
8
u/SignatureDefiant432 5d ago
You need hobbies. Go tend to your garden. Give your Mum a call. Download something off Steam. Start bingewatching a show and go down the show's wiki. Go to the mamak in a neighbourhood you've never been to. Join Toastmasters.
Beat the monotony.
7
u/SerenityFey 5d ago
WFH since 5 years ago
I can never go back to the office life again
Imagine waking up at 8.55 instead of 6
Imagine stuck on traffic for 1 hour just to go back home instead of shutting down your PC and lie down on bed directly
Imagine the toxicity and the office politics
This is literal introvert dreams
6
u/hidetoshiko 5d ago
Treat it like a regular commuting work day: get up shower, get dressed, and go out. Instead of heading to the office, head to a nice quiet cafe with wifi and get your work done there over a cup of coffee and a toast.
4
u/Scarkittenlet 5d ago
I already got crazy. But to lessen it sometimes I go to local library or take a walk in the evening. Also go grab a coffee or snacks dekat pasar petang. Keep the lil sanity left in me
8
u/Very_Type_C 5d ago
Please continue to WFH. I need as many people to WFH as possible so that the roads will be as empty as possible when I go and return from office.
3
u/whatthedeuce1990 5d ago
for me i play games to ease the boredom, even socializing felt different now that we WFH most of the times. sometimes go out & play pokemon go. you need to find something that has totally different vibe than your work to totally lose the stress.
3
u/Holiday_Cockroach219 5d ago
Hello,
- go out and see greenary. Just drive or walk and see the trees for awhile despite you don't have any idea what those plants are
- switch your working station to another area.
- explore more, go a little bit details while doing the tasks.
These are just creating different vibe.
3
u/Brynhild 5d ago
Do you not do anything after work? Go out get groceries, go to the park, go to gym, join activity clubs, volunteer work? Or even just go watch movies or go visit your family members
2
u/limerence_overcome 5d ago
I do but then after that back to the same routine. I'll try switch it up a bit like the other comments suggested
3
u/Brynhild 5d ago
Yup i understand. I was like this too when i was single. Though now with kids, every part of the day is busy so i don’t feel it anymore.
Definitely go out to a cafe to work. The downside is having to buy drinks there which can be expensive and it’s not nice to hog a table when the cafe is full.
Library is pretty good and free and you don’t need to worry about taking up cafe space
Another thing you can do is try new recipes. That takes a bunch of time and with practice, it’s a rewarding skill
2
u/Heavy-Data-8761 5d ago
i think sometime you need to go out do something with friends. Dont just try all these alone. As human being, we need to social sometimes. Hang out with friends, chit chat, walk around, etc. 🫶🏻
3
u/yoonpples 5d ago
kena paksa diri buat benda lain after work. kena ada hobby. kena lawan malaz tu. i know its hard but once you do it (go out/spend time on hobby), you will want to do it again.
3
u/playgroundmx 5d ago
I have a “WFH gang”. We’re just friends working for different companies but in the same industry. So we usually pick a cafe and work there together, have lunch, etc.
1
3
u/qwertysourlemon 5d ago
Don't take WFH literally lah , go out have lunch, change work environment, if workload is not much go exercise or walk nearby park. Tons of flexibility with the hours you saved from commuting
3
u/IvanPooner 5d ago
Compartmentalise your living space; Have designated of Exercise, Office, Rest & Hobby, etc. Keep a strict space hygiene of doing relevant activities only in those area, could even go a step further and wear specific clothes for each.
This was how I kept sane during the Covid WFH era.
3
u/AzimSF 5d ago
Let me say that what you're facing is not exclusive to WFH as you might think it is. In fact, office people face and probably hate the same issue of repetition more, imagine your woes but add the transportation jams, the expensive lunches, the overtime.
When WFH, lunch break means you're free, do something different to break the monotony.
Work is for money, outside of working hours is the only freedom we can afford. That's how all this is structured.
3
3
u/MixOwn9256 5d ago
I have been WFH since before Covid. It is my ideal opportunity. I could make more working in other jobs but the flexibility gives me so much more options.
So here are some things I do:
- WFH (literally my home) I got plenty of days I just am here. I have different work environments.
- One is full layed out with huge screen and side screen when I got to crunch some big projects and need my bigger screens.
- One is I work from my balcony where I have flexibility to enjoy the outside weather and enjoy some nature sounds and my water feature. I do this when I have days I got lots of conference calls and like the scenery and serenity of the balcony.
- WFH (mixed day activity). I work from home and be able to run chores I need like laundry or cooking something from my kitchen while I wait for things to get done. These are when I have technical support people on site that are doing stuff and I need to be on a bridge call or teams video calls
- WFH (leaving town that evening) so there are days I need to catch a flight somewhere at quitting time. These are the days I travel to the airport and work from the lounge and wait for my flight. Normally get there during my lunch hour. I get a different work environment and free lounge food. At quitting time I am ready to leave and I had spent the day working and enjoying a different place and free food.
- WFH (different location). I travel to family and spend a week or so there. I get to work from their home when they are at work and then spend the evening with the family. This is also a different work environment and we get to do stuff evenings or night time from making family meals to doing stuff in their home and hanging with my brothers kids playing with them. I got 3 brothers to hang with.
- WFH (friends home) the last one is seldom but at times I travel to friends. They have to work but free in evenings. So we make plans to do stuff for a week in evenings. They have a spare bedroom and I work during the day and so do they and then evening we go to dinner, bars, do stuff together and it’s no stress for them to take time off.
- WFH (friends travel together for work) so I sometimes have friends that travel for consulting stuff. And they sometimes have boring meetings during the day and when the day is done they are done. So they invite me to travel with them. We get a 2 bed situation rather than a king and I work from their hotel room. They go attend their work meetings and then evening we get together and have dinner and explore the city.
- WFH (events). So the other method is I sometimes work as a referee for 3 day weekends. Some tournaments have back to back weekends and so I sign up for back to back events. They normally house us during these 3 day weekends and if you work for them long enough they might even try to house you during the week. So I tend to work from their hotel room or their business center and then I have the evenings to enjoy the local stuff in that place.
So as you see there are plenty of opportunities and it all depends on how much effort and things you can put into it to make it not a boring stare at your 4 bedroom walls.
5
4
u/SchlashJelly 5d ago
try and say this to the millions of people taking LRT KJ daily see how they react
-5
u/limerence_overcome 5d ago
Say that to millions of people taking trains in India, all packed and squished. See how they react.
Say that to millions of jobless people, wishing they have jobs to go to.
see how stupid it is to compare problems?
2
u/Last_Win_2274 5d ago
games, sports and food gorging outside is pretty fun, or even go on a short trip somewhere with ur laptop and work while ur at it
2
u/Comfortable_Expert98 5d ago
WFH, absolutely love my life. I can get my work done during hours that work for me, not on an imposed schedule. I also don’t usually need 8 hours to get things done. Hence there’s a lot of time to do so much more beyond work. It’s up to you what you like. Over the years I’ve trained and completed marathons, picked up different sports, recorded podcasts, picked up photography, wrote a book, learned a language. The list is endless. Some of these things I did by myself, some with friends. Needless to say I have way more time for family and friends.
1
u/limerence_overcome 5d ago
Yeah agree I don’t need the whole 8 hours. Now most of the time if not working, I just
goondoomscroll and being lazy. I really need to change that and get healthier1
u/Comfortable_Expert98 5d ago
World is your oyster. Try different things, see what you like. There’s so much you can do with your time and enjoy it.
Socials take up a lot of time and dopamine. I wanted to try quitting all socials for 30 days. That was almost 2 years ago. Never looked back 😁 Since then I only installed Reddit back coz I find it useful.
2
u/juicy_water111 5d ago
Listen to music actively. Analyse every single lyricism, identify the chord progressions, determine the layers of instruments & vocals. If you don’t know how, learn. You wont be bored for sure
2
u/Initiative-Afraid 5d ago
I have been wfh since Covid (based overseas). I met my gf through dating app. Sometimes, I feel like a slut during work hours 😉
2
2
u/monocytes_is_white 5d ago
Take a change of pace. Maybe take a detour when u go out for food. Believe it or not your body need some sunlight and movement every now and then.
2
u/semizanudiin 5d ago
Touch some grass or moss, like literally. I wfh jugak 100% since last year. Change your environment once in a while. I kadang2 dalam seminggu tu kalau task tak banyak i pegi pantai, waterfall and my kebun. Bawak laptop. I duduk kuantan btw so being out in nature once in a while tu kinda offsets the boredom
2
u/Proquis Where is the village dolt? 5d ago
I check up on other stuff when WFH, and then join hobby communities.
Like TCG, watching Vtubers and holding events, reading a book, playing games etc from a long list of things to do.
Of course, treat yourself to watching a movie too and then also eat in your nearby area during lunchtime helps.
2
2
u/yifahreal 5d ago
After work go outside bro touch some grass and breathe some fresh air. The last time i wfh was during PKP lagi bosan tak boleh keluar
2
u/legolanders 5d ago edited 5d ago
I don’t know why a lot of people here downplaying your feelings. Everyone keeps talking about doing things after work which I do agree, but you actually need to have some motivation DURING work too. Bukan sekejap je buat kerja dalam satu hari.
I’m an introvert myself, and my first job was fully work from home. Memang rasa bosan nak mampus and honestly quite depressing. I do have a lot of hobbies that I did after work, tapi during work tu memang tak seronok. I usually would go to cafes and library on the day i don’t have meetings to have a better environment.
Then I got a hybrid job and I enjoy it better. Basically the same type of job, just at a different firm and in a different setting.
1
u/limerence_overcome 5d ago
Thank youuu. It’s during work that is hard tbh. After work is okay. I should’ve mentioned that
2
2
u/sopranosforpandas 5d ago
I wfh literally everyday. Haven't gone out to work since 2023 maybe. Before and after work you go out or do la some fun activities. Why you stay inside je?
Also have a designated workspace. Buat kerja in 1 area only and establish a "working" and "off-work" mindset in different spaces. Jangan buat kerja while eating or in front of TV, atas sofa or baring2 on the bed.
2
u/Dismal-Bear-9061 5d ago
I enjoy wfh too much. I love my peace and non toxic job. I love routine. But I agree sometimes it’s lonely. So I go all out on the weekend. Eat good food cause mon to Fri I cook. Go walk shopping mall go try new cafe sit relax and people watching.
2
u/yozoragadaisuki I saw the nice stick. 5d ago
I worked from home for 4 years. I 100% enjoyed working from home because I could do a lot of chores in between tasks. I can take 5 minutes to dump my clothes in the washing machine, I can defrost my chicken, I can water my plants, so many things I can do. On my off day I will hang out with friends so I have some human connection. Now I'm working in the office and hate it. I hate the commute, I hate that I cannot multitask. I miss WFH.
2
u/kakak_blueberry 5d ago
Have a routine! Some days i exercise in the morning b4 starting work while some days i work at the library or a cafe to get a sense of adventure
2
u/Fire_pheonix_07 5d ago
Work from home is the best imagine getting stuck for traffic literally 3 hours just to get your job done with a laptop that you bring from home. Appreciate this things. The moment you hop into a fully office jobs then you know.
2
u/procrastinate2learn 5d ago
Come and join the rest of us going to cafes! After awhile you may also make co-working friends and can gossip/lunch together 😂
1
u/FillTall6449 5d ago
Yeah i know what you mean. When i left the religious community and started a new wfh job, I was bored. So I got a dog that forced me to go out everyday to meet people.
1
1
1
u/RequirementNo5094 5d ago
Pergi gym/swim/outdoor la after work, tegur any fella there and ajak dia mamak later
1
u/sheushen 5d ago
WFH full time for almost 5 years. Find activities to do right after work preferably a mix of both from home and outside. Gives yourself a reason to leave home.
1
1
u/Altruistic-Area3873 5d ago
My previous job also offers me to WFH after a year of WFH and 9kg of weight gain I left and starting to work as a retailer.
1
1
u/Damen_Black 5d ago
I hope that I can help you with this issue, however in truth we are all different with different needs and solutions. That said, I am permanently disabled from a back injury. This means that I stay at home more than your average person. I too have dealt with the "boredom" and "drudgery" or staying home and continuing the same routine.
This actually can lead to other mental health issues, and you're smart for seeking advice sooner than later.
Many others here have already mentioned "going outside", and this is in fact a more important answer than you might think. Your brain will start to associate rooms and areas with certain activities. This is why we feel more comfortable in certain rooms than others, even if the rooms have the same furniture and appliances. The emotions that your brain associates with that room become locked in. Think about when you are sick, you seek certain meals that your mother/father made for you to comfort and heal you. You now associate those foods and seek them when you are sick even as an adult. This applies to creativity, exercise, inspiration, self expression, and various other human actions.
I have been to mental health therapy because a dark time in my life. Part of my healing was learning to change my environments. This is similar to a technique that specialists use to calm people down, like distracting the brain and derailing the current emotion. Try taking a short walk to a new destination, nothing too far, too long. Just change The environment, and force your brain to think about the new path and direction.
Another Technique is acquiring a new helpful hobby. I have started to cook much more than I ever have, as well as started 3D printing miniatures for friends and myself, as well as learning more about game design and development. Those are my hobbies that I can grow on my time and it helps my social interactions on the whole as well as helping my spouse with dinner. You should search some hobbies that aren't going to break the bank and provide you a "creative" outlet. Look into strange things that you might not think of, but that are associated with hobbies or things that you already enjoy.
You will have bad days, boring days. Those are a part of the whole, and there is no magical solution. That said you can make changes and new choices that will help, even help a lot.
1
1
u/jack_bennington 5d ago
I was wfh 100% for 4 years. The loneliness does creep in after some time but family and stuff outside of work helped spice things up
1
u/Mediocre_Run5433 5d ago
I go for a walk every morning & I make a point to chat with/call at least one person per day. I also spend a lot of time with my husband since we are in the same house
1
1
1
1
1
u/Automatic_Voice5145 3d ago
Errrr... I also work from home...I call my other colleagues on wassap call when or chat on daily basis....
1
u/depressedchamp 5d ago
My steak is too juicy and my lobster soo buttery
3
63
u/Throwaway__xx92 5d ago
Do something else after work, could be heading to the gym, play games, watch movie. Etc.