Reddit's Tips for WFH

## Sources - [Do you struggle to leave your house after your work flay has ended? : r/WFH](https://www.reddit.com/r/WFH/comments/1hvahua/do_you_struggle_to_leave_your_house_after_your/) - [Get out often? : r/WFH](https://www.reddit.com/r/WFH/comments/1dpxhuo/get_out_often/) - [How do those of you who WFH get out of the house? : r/MoneyDiariesACTIVE](https://www.reddit.com/r/MoneyDiariesACTIVE/comments/172qh35/how_do_those_of_you_who_wfh_get_out_of_the_house/) - [How do you balance WFH and getting out of the house?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WFH/comments/1cunzrn/how_do_you_balance_wfh_and_getting_out_of_the/) - [How often do you get out of the house? : r/workfromhome](https://www.reddit.com/r/workfromhome/comments/1e6yugf/how_often_do_you_get_out_of_the_house/) - [How often do you leave the house? - WFH](https://www.reddit.com/r/WFH/comments/1jhxqjp/how_often_do_you_leave_the_house/) - [How often do you leave the house? : r/WFH](https://www.reddit.com/r/WFH/comments/157h263/how_often_do_you_leave_the_house/) - [How to get out the house? : r/WFH](https://www.reddit.com/r/WFH/comments/1fp19tz/how_to_get_out_the_house/) - [Should you go out daily even though you work from home? : r/WFH](https://www.reddit.com/r/WFH/comments/1c7yd4i/should_you_go_out_daily_even_though_you_work_from/) - [When was the last time you left your home? : r/WFH](https://www.reddit.com/r/WFH/comments/1iq5gya/when_was_the_last_time_you_left_your_home/) ## Summary ### Overall Summary The topic of leaving the house is a frequent and significant point of discussion for remote workers. Experiences range from people who rarely leave their property for weeks at a time to those who make it a point to get out daily. The conversation reveals a clear divide between those who embrace a "hermit" lifestyle and those who feel it's essential for their well-being to get out, with many falling somewhere in between and struggling to find the right balance. --- ### Key Themes and Perspectives #### 1. The Two Main Camps: The Contented Homebody vs. The Daily Adventurer * **The Contented Homebodies:** A significant number of Redditors are perfectly happy staying home. They often go days, weeks, or even months without leaving their property, relying on grocery delivery and home-based hobbies. Many are introverts who find their home a sanctuary and feel that WFH has finally allowed them to live their preferred lifestyle, saving money and avoiding the stress of commuting and office socializing. Some jokingly refer to themselves as "hermits" or "recluses" and express no desire to change. * **Key Quote:** "I can go weeks without leaving thehouse. ... Everything possible is delivered. I love it!" (u/RealHeyDayna, u/seymour5000) * **The Daily Adventurers:** This group believes getting out daily is non-negotiable for mental and physical health. They report feeling stir-crazy, depressed, or that their "eyes go crazy" if they stay inside too long. They actively create routines and schedules to ensure they leave the house for exercise, socializing, or just a change of scenery. * **Key Quote:** "Get. Out. Of. Your. House. That's the world out there. Holy crap people. Literally, 'touch grass' please." (u/StinkRod) #### 2. The Impact of WFH on Social Habits * **Increased Energy for Socializing:** Some users report that WFH has improved their social lives. By saving the mental and physical energy once spent on commuting and office politics, they feel more motivated and energized to go out for fun activities in the evenings and on weekends. * **The "Accidental Hermit":** For others, the lack of a built-in reason to leave (i.e., the commute) has led to them becoming unintentionally isolated. They find that without the routine of going to an office, they can go an entire week without realizing they haven't left the house. #### 3. Common Motivators and Strategies for Getting Out Redditors offered numerous practical tips for those struggling to leave the house: * **Pets (Especially Dogs):** This is the single most cited motivator. The need to walk a dog multiple times a day forces people outside, providing routine, exercise, and casual social interaction. * **The "Fake Commute":** A very popular strategy is to bookend the workday with a short walk. This acts as a mental transition into and out of "work mode" and guarantees you get outside. * **Exercise and Fitness:** Joining a gym, taking fitness classes (yoga, pilates, dance), or joining a running club provides a scheduled reason to leave, offers social connection, and improves health. Many state they pay for a gym membership specifically to force themselves out. * **Hobbies and Volunteering:** Engaging in activities that can't be done at home, such as pottery classes, sports leagues, volunteering at an animal shelter, or attending board game nights at a local store. * **Structured Errands:** Instead of one large weekly grocery trip, some make smaller, more frequent trips. Others intentionally run errands during their lunch break or after work. * **Change of Scenery:** Working from a coffee shop, library, or coworking space for a few hours a week helps break the monotony. * **Setting Goals:** Using a fitness tracker to aim for a daily step goal (e.g., 5,000 or 10,000 steps) serves as a powerful motivator. #### 4. Barriers to Leaving the House * **Weather and Season:** Bad weather (rain, snow, extreme heat) and the lack of daylight in winter are major deterrents. This is especially challenging for those who only have time to go out in the dark evenings. * **Lack of Motivation:** Many struggle with inertia. After a full workday, the comfort of home is far more appealing than the effort of going back out, especially for evening activities. * **Location:** Being in a rural or suburban area with no walkable amenities makes leaving the house a more deliberate and time-consuming act. * **Combined Work/Play Space:** Having a work desk and gaming PC in the same spot can make it feel like you're always "at work," increasing the desire to escape the house on weekends. ## Recommendations ### I. Create Structure and Daily Routines These actions build habits that don't require much extra planning once they are established. 1. **Schedule a "Fake Commute."** The most popular recommendation. Before starting work and after logging off, go for a 15-30 minute walk. This creates a mental separation between work and home life and guarantees you get outside twice a day. 2. **Set a Daily Step Goal.** Use a fitness tracker or phone to set a modest goal (e.g., 5,000 steps). The motivation to not "break the streak" can be a powerful driver to take short walks throughout the day. 3. **Get Dressed for the Day.** Instead of working in pajamas, get fully dressed in "out of the house ready" clothes. This removes a significant barrier to spontaneously running an errand or going for a walk. 4. **Take Micro-Breaks Outside.** Even a five-minute break to walk to the mailbox, check on your garden, or just stand on the porch can help break up the day and prevent feeling stir-crazy. 5. **Utilize Your Lunch Break.** Intentionally block off your lunch hour on your calendar. Use this time exclusively to get away from your desk, preferably by going for a walk or running a quick errand. ### II. Schedule External Commitments These actions create accountability by involving other people, set schedules, or financial investment. 6. **Join a Gym or Fitness Class.** Pay for a membership to a gym, or sign up for a recurring class like yoga, pilates, or dance. The financial commitment and set schedule provide a strong reason to leave the house. 7. **Sign Up for a Hobby Class.** Enroll in an in-person class for something you're interested in, such as pottery, cooking, a language, or woodworking. This provides social interaction and a structured activity. 8. **Volunteer Regularly.** Find an organization you care about (e.g., an animal shelter, food bank) and commit to a regular volunteer shift. It provides a sense of purpose and community connection. 9. **Join a Recreational Sports League.** Sign up for a casual league like bowling, pickleball, or indoor soccer. This combines exercise with a fun, social team environment. ### III. Change Your Environment and Mindset These strategies focus on altering your physical space and mental approach to your WFH life. 10. **Separate Your Work and Play Spaces.** If possible, move your gaming setup or hobbies to a different room or area from your work desk. This helps your brain "leave work" at the end of the day, reducing the feeling of being trapped. 11. **Work from a "Third Place."** Once or twice a week, work for a few hours from a local coffee shop, library, or coworking space. This change of scenery can significantly improve your mood and workflow. 12. **Meal Prep Your Lunch.** Prepare your lunch the night before or for the week on Sunday. This frees up your entire lunch break for an activity instead of spending it on cooking. 13. **Embrace the Weather.** Invest in good quality gear (a waterproof coat, proper boots, high-visibility accessories) so that rain, cold, or darkness are less of an excuse to stay inside. ### IV. Leverage Social and Community Connections These actions focus on using social needs and responsibilities as a motivator. 14. **Get a Dog (or Volunteer to Walk One).** The single most cited motivator. The responsibility of walking a dog multiple times a day, rain or shine, is a foolproof way to get outside. If you can't own one, animal shelters often need volunteer dog walkers. 15. **Intentionally Make Social Plans.** Schedule regular meetups with friends, whether it's for brunch, dinner, or just a walk in the park. Put it on the calendar so it becomes a firm commitment. 16. **Do Smaller, More Frequent Grocery Trips.** Instead of one massive weekly shop, go to the store every 2-3 days for fresh ingredients. This creates a regular, low-stakes reason to leave the house. 17. **Create a "Forced" Errand.** Intentionally stop buying certain things online (or at all for home use, like a coffee machine) to force yourself to go out to a local store or cafe.