5 Personality Quirks You Might Have, Based On Your Work-From-Home Routine

1. Actually Use Your Planner In 2025

We're not buying pretty planners just so they can collect dust on our desks or coffee tables anymore. Corry Frazier and Melissa Pepin want you to get serious because they feel "it starts with planning." They don't mean the kind you eventually flake on either.

"Effective planning is key to maintaining balance and reducing burnout. Whether you're mapping out tasks, meetings, or events, dedicated time for preparation ensures focus and reduces stress," they say. In other words, "the more intentional you are in planning, the more productive you'll be," according to them.

Ever since I've been blocking out my tasks by hour in planner, I've been able to get more done without feeling overwhelmed by splitting my time between writing and being in mommy mode. Frazier and Pepin suggest that you "set weekly planning sessions" that consist of "30-60 minutes each weekend to map out your upcoming week."

This eventually "reduces decision fatigue, fosters a sense of control, and helps you start Monday with clarity and purpose," they add. Yes, this is a sign that you'll be breaking up with the dreaded 'Sunday scaries' if you follow their advice. "You'll feel proactive and grounded rather than reacting to the week as it unfolds," they agree.

2. Embrace A "Fake Commute" When Working From Home

One of Kayla Baum's tips is to switch up your routine if you're a remote worker. Rolling out of the bed at the last minute before logging on for work sounds appealing until you realize you're uninspired by your days. But, what is a "fake commute?"

"It mimics the structure of a traditional commute to establish a boundary between work and personal life. This could mean taking a walk around the block, doing a 10-minute guided meditation, or even just changing clothes at the end of the day," Baum mentions.

Based on her experience, she's found that "it works because it provides a psychological buffer, helping to separate work and home life." She feels it's "crucial for positive mental health and boosting productivity at work (and at home)."

You can also create a separate work space that's not in your bedroom to get work done! That's helped me tremendously so I'm not sleeping and working in the same area.

3. Focus On High-Impact Tasks

Similar to planning your work days as best as you can, Frazier and Pepin want you to "prioritize the tasks that align with your goals." To minimize distractions, they want you to ask yourself:

• What is the most effective use of my time right now?

4. Stop Making Daily Decisions Hard

Tasks like your morning routine or figuring out what you'll eat don't have to take up a chunk of your time anymore. "Use productivity hacks, such as pre-planning meals or laying out weekly outfits," suggest Frazier and Pepin. They feel that "small routines like this eliminate unnecessary choices" to "make mornings smoother."

According to them, it's "especially helpful for families juggling multiple schedules." I couldn't agree more because I've spent so many frazzled mornings trying to make decisions about what myself and my toddler would wear or eat instead of planning them. With the help of my fiancé, we've cut so much time in half by being prepared ahead of time instead of 'winging it' before work.

5. Understand What Your Boundaries Are And Set Them

Worried that you'll be considered 'mean' if you tell your manager or coworkers what your boundaries are at work? Depending on your environment, it's 100% understandable. However, you're human and there's no reason you should be over-performing to your detriment. Frazier and Pepin say, "Set boundaries and communicate clearly. Adopt Brené Brown's mantra: 'To be clear is to be kind.'"

They encourage you to not only "be upfront about your schedule to manage others' expectations," but it's also so you can "avoid over-commitment." Say it with me: I will not make false promises just to appease others. Why?

Frazier and Pepin say, "Don't be afraid to say no to side projects or anything that doesn't align with your goals."

6. Ignore Emails Sent After Your Work Hours

I've been guilty of sending an email after work to acknowledge that I saw something, but I never expect other people to feel obligated to respond until the next business day. On the flip side, I've felt pressured to answer something that feels timely and I've gone to sleep thinking about the sender's potential follow-up email.

"Just because a coworker chooses to work late at night doesn't mean you must answer. One helpful trick is to include your working days and hours in your signature, explaining that responses may be delayed outside of those times," Frazier and Pepin say. They even have a prompt you can use if you're not sure what to type:

• "My working hours are [Your Working Hours, e.g., 9 AM - 4 PM ET]. Please note that these may differ from your local time zone. I appreciate your understanding and will respond to emails during my working hours."

I can't wait to start utilizing this...for research purposes only 👀.

7. Please, log off from work when it's time.

Unless you're scheduled to work late, take the time to log off from work and not think about it until the next day. Baum says, "Commit to fully logging off once the workday ends—no 'quick email replies' or sneaking in work over the weekend." I'm eyeing you Ms. "I just need to send a quick email" while you're on vacation or spending time with your significant other.

Baum says creating this separation works because "fully disconnecting allows your mind to reset and recharge" which ends up "making you more efficient, creative, and focused during actual work hours." According to her, you'll eventually "improve personal well-being" and "enhance long-term work performance."

As soon as my work day is over, I make a beeline for the shower so I can decompress. After that, I take my time with my skincare routine and keep my phone out of reach so I'm not tempted to look at anything work-related. I'm not always successful, but I've noticed a difference in my mood since making this shift.

8. Speak Up When You're Feeling Overwhelmed

And if you're 100% drained because you've been trying to tackle work tasks during and after hours, Frazier and Pepin want you to speak up. "If you're feeling overwhelmed with your workload, approach your manager with honesty and a focus on solutions," they suggest. Here's another prompt of theirs you can use:

• "I've been noticing that my workload has extended beyond regular hours, and maintaining balance is becoming challenging. Could we discuss prioritizing tasks or adjusting expectations to ensure I can deliver quality work without compromising my well-being?"

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1. When are Teonna and the Duttons going to meet?

I'm starting out with my most-important question because it's all I can think about. I want Teonna to meet Cara, Jacob, Spencer, and the rest of the gang! I could totally see Alex getting to Montana and Teonna, her dad, and Pete helping Alex make it to Bozeman...let's make it happen Taylor Sheridan!

2. How is Alex getting to Montana?

Speaking of Alex, how the heck is she getting to Montana, let alone the specific town she told Spencer to meet her in. Traveling in 1923 is definitely more difficult than traveling now (especially as a woman) but if anybody's able to traverse the American countryside on their own, it's her. She just has to get off the boat first.

3. Will Arthur's death have any more consequences for Spencer?

1923 fans will remember the reason Alex and Spencer are split in the first place is because after dueling with Alex's ex Arthur, Spencer throws him off the ship in self defense...and then is kicked off himself. Does he have his stuff? Will he have any guilt that his actions led to Alex being on her own? Is he traveling the country in a tux? Only time will tell.

4. Can we please do something about Father Renaud?

I hate this man. He's slimy, he's headmaster at Teonna's abusive Catholic boarding school, and he simultaneously makes me boil with rage and shudder in horror. After the events of season 1, he's hunting Teonna and I hope he NEVER catches her. Maybe Spencer can duel this guy next.

5. What's going to happen to the Dutton ranch?

Considering Yellowstone exists, we know the Dutton ranch stays in the family — despite the fact Whitfield reveals the ranch defaults to him unless the Duttons can pay up. So I guess either Jacob and Cara work it out before it's too late, or one of their descendants gets it back?

6. Will Elizabeth and Jack start a family?

Season 1 ended with the heartbreaking realization that Elizabeth had miscarried her first child. There was a beautiful moment between Cara and Elizabeth as the older woman offered some comfort, but my heart still just aches for her. Whether Elizabeth ends up giving birth in season 2, or her and Jack adopt, I can't wait to see what the future looks like for these two should they want start a family.

7. ARE ZANE AND ALICE GOING TO BE OKAY?

I need these two (who were attacked and separated for miscegenation) to be featured in the first 10 minutes of 1923 season 2 — hopefully together, with their children, and happy. Can we make that happen Paramount?

8. How will Jacob and Cara take down Banner?

Banner's been after Jacob and Cara — and their land — and despite the fact he almost successfully kills Jacob, I just refuse to believe our Dutton patriarch could be defeated by a man like that. (And not just because Jacob's played by Harrison Ford).