[rsjagtap]

You have perfectly summarized what is going on in my life as well.
Firs and foremost, kudos to you for voicing this out it strengthens others who are in the same boat as well.

I was stuck in a similar situation since the past 18 months. No work life balance, moving between cities (City where I work and my hometown), losing the urge to remain motivated or ambitious even for the daily chores, no or limited housekeeping staff, taking care of your baby and defending yourself from Covid.
Life had become so chaotic, I made a handsome job switch just 3 months ago and now my wife will be doing the same but there is no enthusiasm left anywhere. We will even be taking a delivery of a pre-owned i10 AT during diwali but there isn't much talk about it either.

And I think this is definitely due to the lifestyle changes happening around us and the dull environment amongst the people we interact with daily; be it the cab driver, watchman of the building/office, shopkeeper, mall teller you name it including us, everywhere the environment has become dull.
We are connected with friends and family across countries and hear different type of news about people battling the same issue in different ways.

This is because as humanity we ourselves don't have a clear heading where we are going to. We have become so accustomed to evolution that now we have various options to evolve into that is what's brining this urgely effect to not do anything. Work has silently absorbed itself in our personal time and it hit us when we let our guard down.

Would just say to hang in there and this too shall pass. We are a community that has come a long way with a long way to go and it's people like you that instill confidence in people like us that there are others as well.
Take a break, rethink about the way forward, spend time in doing things that you otherwise would have never done because you didn't have time and let time heal this pandemic.

Cheers my friend!

[digitalnirvana]

I have nothing to add to this thread but to expand on the point of "The Great Resignation" that @Samurai brought up:

For Blue collar workers it's been the last straw.

Underpaid, overworked and disillusioned, and in some cases while they watch their bosses do rocket ship competitions. They realised that their worth doesn't come from solely being employed.

Please look into /r/antiwork on reddit - it is consistently one of the most popular subreddits and almost always on the front page. And this is on a website that is US centric, where workers often have their insurances and what not tied to employment. Where one paycheck is the difference between having a roof and homelessness.

This was unthinkable a year back.

[rd18]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Since the last 18 months, and especially the last 3-4 odd months, there's a weird feeling of not getting the urge to work. Both the wife and I have been battling this new 'condition'.

We have taken quite a few vacations (+ home trips) to consider if it is somewhat of a burn-out situation and maybe these trips would help the case. But it isn't the same.
.
.

Can definitely relate to this. Thanks for posting.

for me, it's too much team-bhp reading time during office hours (like this post).

However, you have put all of us in a fix, who thought getting away on vacations will definitely help. :P
I still hope it does help (me included), with end of year holiday season approaching and offices getting started.

A hybrid model is being looked up-to with hope.

[evil_grin]

This is the number 1 issue I'm dealing with right now. Thank you for bringing this up. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one.

Solutions such as taking vacations have worked temporarily. Even shifting my house didn't work. Exercise and changing work rooms/desks only made it a little less unbearable.

The only thing that has worked for me is going to office. The office has a different energy level. The environment makes you want to work. Talking to colleagues is a socialisation I didn't know I needed. And I'm one of the few who enjoy commuting because it's half an hour of peace since there isn't much traffic on the way. And we humans need to have a different work and home location. Otherwise it feels same old.

Going to office works best when there are a significant number of people coming to office as well. That is only happening now when there is an event at office. I'm actually looking forward to the day they make it compulsory to go back.

[clementw]

Post pandemic work is stressful. Companies are asking to make up for the lost time and business and consequently the pressures have increased. At the same time the pandemic taught us how to stretch money more by keeping an eye on essentials and leaving out the others. So there is a thought for many to reconsider their work options: relocating to home towns permanently at lower pay, changing jobs that satiate their passions while not high paying, some are considering a long break. Work has changed post COVID.

[atnyia]

I have been WFH since 2014 ends with occasional WFO until 2019. From 2019, it had been WFO (4 days a week) until Covid.

I am a substantially more productive WFH with fewer distractions, breaks, and no commute. No one comes to my cubicle just to have casual chat. So, if it's a loaded day, I would still stay WFH. Occasionally, I would go to the office, like for KTs, team lunches, etc. I enjoyed this before Covid.

After Covid, this has been a different story. The only socializing I had was at the office as I had moved to a new city with no acquaintances). So, that's gone. If my wife starts going to her school (going to open pretty soon), I'll get totally bored at home. In Pune (and before Covid), this wasn't the problem as I would still head out and meet enough people during weekdays and weekends.

For productivity, it's WFH any day for me. But for a balanced life, I definitely need some colleagues and just take an easy stroll post-lunch with them. I don't have burnout and I like what I do every day but the connection with the organization is almost barethread nowadays.

[veyron_head]

Good to see I am not alone! I am in a customer-facing role and meeting people & traveling was all I did for a living until the pandemic struck. Being completely at home for 2 years now is directly impacting the sense of purpose and motivation in me! No longer feel the urge to sweat it out like I used to before. Unlike others, my normal work life also depends on my customers' opening up their offices!

But my only hope is no natural disaster can stay forever. Covid will either end or be endemic. The latter is how it looks like already in our country. Just hoping things will get back to full normalcy even if it another year away.

[gururajrv]

Yes, it won’t change unless you keep working in a different environment.

We are always tuned to work in office and rest at home. Now that we’re doing both at the same location, you feel you’re trapped in your own world dealing with different situations virtually.

You won’t feel normal until & unless we get accustomed to permanent work from home situation or have a hybrid model of flexible work type.

One other thing is the dependency to gadgets situation is causing a negative impact on mental peace.

I really hope things get better for you and for all of us!

[Latheesh]

I took delivery of my new car 3 months back and ODO meter reading now is 700 km. That is how my life now is in Team-BHP terms.

[ScorpWarp]

Since many are going through similar situation I would share my experience and how I got out of it. Since January I started noticing decline in urge to work, then started losing interest in doing anything.. running, reading..anything. By March I started contemplating quitting well paying job and live off savings. I was bordering on depression despite all things seemingly being good. Then, on a whim, I decided to consult a Patanjali walk-in Vaidya. I never go to any doctor without referral from MD cousin but this time I literally walked in without telling anyone in the family. I was gobsmacked when he listened to me for 10 minutes and then summarized my state in one word, it is marathi word but that was exactly how I felt. He said I had lost 'hurup' to do anything. The closest translation is enthusiastic urge to do any activity or mojo maybe What followed was lots of blood tests and his suspicion was true, it finally boiled down to 2 vitamins. My B12 level was shot, it was dangerously low, less than 70. Also due to lack of going out, lack of sunlight exposure, my vitamin D was almost depleted, was at 9.
So, i was immediately put on 6 injection course for B12 and liquid vitamin D tablets. B12 is essential for nervous system and psychological well being.
I must say vitamin B12 did world of difference, I am back to normal. Bored of wfh but no longer question why I am getting up everyday, logging into work etc. Now I am looking forward to upgrading to Jeep Compass to bring some material joy to life as well
So, please get B12 and D levels tested.
Hope this helps.

[fordday]

Originally Posted by ScorpWarp

it finally boiled down to 2 vitamins. My B12 level was shot, it was dangerously low, less than 70. Also due to lack of going out, lack of sunlight exposure, my vitamin D was almost depleted, was at 9.
So, i was immediately put on 6 injection course for B12 and liquid vitamin D tablets. B12 is essential for nervous system and psychological well being.
I must say vitamin B12 did world of difference, I am back to normal. Bored of wfh but no longer question why I am getting up everyday, logging into work etc. Now I am looking forward to upgrading to Jeep Compass to bring some material joy to life as well
So, please get B12 and D levels tested.
Hope this helps.

This is my exact case. D and B12 vitamin ranges were very low. Doctor prescribed supplements and asked me to get out in the sun everyday.

Things are little better now.

[ScorpWarp]

Originally Posted by fordday

This is my exact case. D and B12 vitamin ranges were very low. Doctor prescribed supplements and asked me to get out in the sun everyday.

Things are little better now.

Good to know but it takes a lot of time recover naturally, hence supplements are best if levels are very low. I was also initially advised 45 min walk in the morning everyday, diet change etc but then switched to tablets and injections since situation was deteriorating. So ask your doctor about supplements/injections if required.

[dsuman]

For me it is work as usual. Pre-Pandemic Days. My manager is only concerned about the deliverables. If the work gets completed on time then so be it. He is only concerned about the Work getting completed whether I take 2 hours or 10 hours. So I am actually enjoying this Work From Home. Always dreamt of working from my Hometown which this Covid has fulfilled.

[greenh0rn]

Originally Posted by ach1lles

Get your bio-markers checked. Include lipid profile, hormone levels, specially testosterone, and inflammation markers.

Sometimes, things are mental not in cause, but in effect.

This is such a good advice, and particularly important for those (A) who are in mid-30s or older, (B) have had Covid, (C) or both A and B.

Test for inflammation (IIRC it is called CRP and D-Dimer) would also reveal the likeliness of heart stroke, which is a HUGE killer in 30s and 40s.

Also, vitamin deficiencies (D in particular) are known factors for unexplained fatigue.

[ObsessedByFIAT]

Nice topic to discuss!

Last year / beginning of this year I got into a similar zone and just couldn't concentrate on work. I just couldn't work.

One major escalation was enough to get me back to my approx. 50% work efficiency. No matter how much I try, I am not able to put in my 100% effort due to this work from home adjustment.

I so much wish the offices open already. Just open. Period!!!!!