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Most of you know I’ve been working from home since March. Now, starting a business has kept me busy, but I’m sure you’ve noticed I have had more time to do things like post videos on Facebook, etc. Working from home does change your state of mind, here’s how you know it has affected you a bit too much:

1. You’re not sure whether you still fit into most of your nice clothes, as you spend most days in Tshirts and shorts (I have even considered several times buying “dress sweats”).
2. When you do go out “all gussied up,” you make a point to run all your errands so that people can see your attire and think you have a “real” job.
3. Things that are used to make you look and smell nice that used to be “necessities” become “accessories,” used only on those special occasions where you see other people.
4. You’ve not only played “hide and seek” with your pet, but they are growing tired of playing with you, and know all of your hiding spots.
5. It seems as though your neighbors are CONSTANTLY making noise: mowing their lawn, vacuuming their car.
6. You worry that you are becoming one of those people who forwards “funny” emails uncontrollably, and you spend WAY too much time on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Netflix (they have a friend feature), anywhere that you can get some social contact. (I even joined Second Life recently, but decided that is a bit too out there for me (someone did tell me it has a lot of potential for business)).
7. You IM anyone that contacts you with great enthusiasm, keeping them “on the line” too long, making them start to feel a little uncomfortable.
8. Your comments to your pet become more like discussions, and you basically ask their opinion on things and tell them what you’re doing all day (cut to Roger reading marketing copy).
9. You have a tan, and you didn’t even really try to get it (OK, I am never really “tan”, but I am a darker shade of pale right now).
10. You have learned a few things the hard way:
    1. Under no circumstances should you drink a beer before 5 p.m.
    2. You shouldn’t work with your laptop on the couch, no matter how appealing it is (good way to throw out your back).
11. You can’t remember the last time you worked a Friday afternoon, or the last time you didn’t work on a weekday night.
12. You’re pretty sure you won’t be able to get through a day without a nap ever again.

This phenomenon of going a bit wiggy when working from home is addressed by these new office spaces that allow you to come in and interact with others (in Seattle, not surprisingly). I do like what I do, and talk on the phone, meet, or IM with people all the time, so it’s really not too bad. I really do meet quite a diverse group of people with my new co., it’s much better than being in a stale office all day with the likes of Lumbergh. In addition, it is nice to hear the birds all day (over my neighbors–they’re really not that bad) and to be a little more in touch with nature. I drive a lot less too, to the point that my battery went dead this week (interesting to jump start a Prius). I don’t know what my dog will ever do if I go back to an office job . . . he has separation anxiety and is getting very used to me being here. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it!