The Realities of Working From Home: When "Work-Life Balance" Feels Like a Myth
The Virtual Vibe: Success and Sanity for the Online Teacher
JUNE 2, 2025
Ah, working from home. It’s all fun and games until you realize your “office” is also where you eat, sleep, fold laundry, and question your life choices. Virtual teaching brings its own special blend of chaos, student procrastination, hours that somehow go unrecognized, and family members who think you're just “chillin’” while binge-watching episodes of Love Island.
Step 1: Work. Never. Stops
Working from home blurs the line between “on the clock” and “off the clock” more than anyone likes to admit. Your laptop is always within arm’s reach, quietly reminding you of the emails you haven’t answered and the grading you still need to tackle.
Just when you think you’re done for the day, a message from a colleague or a parent pops up asking for “just a minute” of your time. The idea of getting ahead sounds great, but in reality, the work keeps coming, assignments pile up and email notifications ping like you're at a late-night rave you never actually signed up for.
Reminder: You won’t finish everything in one day—and that’s okay. Prioritize, pace yourself, stick to a daily schedule, and give yourself credit for what you do get done. It can help to make a list of must-do items at the start of each day. Physically crossing off tasks can give you a sense of achievement and remind you of what you've accomplished throughout your workday.
Step 2: Family and Friends Think You’re ‘Just Hanging Out’
“Can you run to the store real quick?”
“Want to reorganize the garage?”
“Let’s grab lunch—you’re home anyway!”
“No, Dad. I’m in a meeting. I cannot order your car parts on Amazon while I am trying to provide meaningful student feedback.” #truestory #20yearsin #thestruggleisreal
The moment you start working from home, people assume you’ve got loads of free time. In reality, you're just as slammed, if not more, and the proximity to your fridge, bed, and dishes isn’t helping your focus.
Pro tip: Set boundaries like you’re guarding the last sleeve of Double Stuf Oreos, because once they’re gone, so is your sanity. Try a visual cue like a “Do Not Disturb” sign or a sticky note that screams In Meeting—Unless It’s an Emergency, Walk Away. Bonus: My book SOS Strategies for Online Survival comes with one included. You’re welcome.
Step 3: Your Space is Sabotaging You
Let’s be real—trying to focus in a messy living room full of distractions is like trying to work in the middle of a kitten adoption event. Choosing your workspace wisely matters. If you're constantly side-eyeing dirty dishes, a weird floor stain, a hamper full of stinky teenage boy clothes, or that one sock mocking you from across the room, you’re not going to be productive.
You don’t need a Pinterest-worthy home office. You just need a space that’s functional, separate from your relaxation zones, and ideally, out of arm’s reach from a vacuum, dirty litter box, or dish towel.
Pro Tip: Set up your space like it’s your “real” office. Even if that’s the corner of the dining table, treat it with respect, and demand others do, too.
Trust the process. It takes time to find your rhythm as a remote teacher. Give it at least a year before things start to feel truly comfortable—and even then, don’t expect perfection.
Final Thought: Working From Home Is the Ultimate Balancing Act
You're juggling never-ending work tasks, managing expectations from all directions, and explaining (again) that yes, you are working even if you’re in fuzzy slippers. It’s not easy. But with clear boundaries, a solid workspace, coffee, and your sense of humor still (mostly) intact, you can keep your sanity—and even enjoy parts of the chaos. Give yourself grace on the hard days and remember tomorrow is a new opportunity to make a difference.
Pause, Ponder & Progress
What boundaries have I clearly set (and communicated) for my work-from-home schedule?
Does my current workspace support focus, or is it setting me up for distraction?
How do I make sure friends and family respect my working hours at home?
What’s one thing I can change tomorrow to better protect my time, energy, or mental health?
About the Author
With over 20 years in education - most of them spent in the virtual trenches - Desire’ Mosser has done more than survive online teaching; she’s helped others thrive in it! As the author of SOS: Strategies for Online Survival, she dishes out practical tools, honest lessons, and just the right amount of humor to keep educators going.
Former Pasco eSchool Teacher of the Year and Florida Virtual Schools Mentor of the Year, she continues to champion excellence in virtual learning today. She currently serves as Vice President of B.O.L.D. (Blended Online Learning Discovery of Florida). Her passion? Coaching educators to find their stride, build meaningful connections with students and families, and master the art of scheduling for sanity—preferably with a strong cup of coffee in hand. For more real talk, useful tips, and the occasional caffeine-fueled confession, connect with her on LinkedIn.
