Setting Boundaries After Work
A Reddit discussion in Singapore asked how people detach themselves from work at the end of the day.
The original poster said that while they do not bring work home, they still find themselves thinking about unfinished tasks, expecting the worst-case scenario the next day, or suddenly remembering something they forgot to do.
The situation had also started affecting their sleep and appetite.
One commenter, who said they had been working for more than a decade, shared that they had become more relaxed about work over time. They said they focus on knowing what is urgent and prioritising those tasks, completing them within deadlines so they do not have to think about them until they return to their desk.
They also suggested avoiding work laptops and mobile phones after office hours, if the job allows it.
Another commenter told the poster that working hard does not necessarily mean working overtime, saying employees can still work hard while maintaining normal working hours.
Making A Clear Cut-Off
Several Redditors suggested creating a clear separation between working hours and personal time.
One person said they treat after-work hours as their own time and remind themselves that they are not being paid for those hours. They also said they switch off their work-related thoughts and do not check emails after clocking out, except when their boss specifically says something is urgent.
Another suggestion was to use a separate phone for work or activate Do Not Disturb mode to stop work notifications from appearing after hours.
Some Redditors recommended having activities planned after work, such as exercising, meeting friends or organising weekday events. The idea was to have something else to focus on once the workday ends.
One commenter suggested setting a personal cut-off time of 5pm for emails and tasks requiring attention. Anything requested after that time would be handled the following day unless it was necessary to complete it immediately.
They also suggested blocking out-of-office hours in the calendar, particularly for people working with colleagues in different regions.
Lists, Planning And Other Distractions
For people who continue thinking about unfinished work, one Redditor suggested doing a quick “brain dump” at the end of the day.
They recommended setting a timer for 30 seconds to one minute and writing down everything still bothering them. Another option was to set a reminder for the next workday if there was something that needed attention later.
Others suggested deliberately shifting attention towards activities outside work, including listening to music, watching something, exercising, messaging friends, cleaning or doing laundry.
One commenter said the only work-related thought they allow themselves at home is planning their outfit for the next day and preparing it in advance.
Another said they make a quick plan before leaving work for what they will do first the next morning. This gives them a sense of closure before leaving the workplace.
Several commenters also highlighted the importance of distinguishing between genuine priorities and tasks that can wait until the next day.
One Redditor recommended listing the top three things to accomplish each day and completing the most important tasks first. Another said that if something is not a priority, it can be handled the following day or even later.
The discussion also included shorter responses about having hobbies, joining interest groups, playing games or having personal projects to look forward to after work.
One commenter summed up their approach by saying that a job is “just a job” and does not make up their entire life. Another Redditor gave a more financial answer, saying their mindset changed after building up a larger investment portfolio and having more money in the bank.
See the post here:
How do you detach yourself from work at the end of the day?
byu/lead-th3-way inaskSingapore
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