Working from home has turned many of us into gloriously quirky versions of ourselves. The article dives into the odd but amusing habits remote workers have adopted—from elaborate beauty routines that are strictly a solo affair to skipping basic grooming rituals that we once took for granted in the office. As one remote worker, Anouska Shenn, puts it, "I guess it's quite a luxury," explaining how she indulges in a TikTok-inspired "morning shed" of face masks, wrinkle patches, and hair curlers while dodging the possibility of an unexpected Zoom call. With studies noting that remote workers are less likely to shower or apply deodorant compared to their in-office counterparts, the narrative paints a vivid picture of how continual isolation may be eroding our casual social finesse, leaving us awkward when it’s time to return to traditional workplace norms.

Key points:

• Quirky WFH Routines: Remote work has spurred unusual habits such as elaborate beauty treatments and skipping formal grooming rituals.
• Remote Grooming Statistics: Stanford economist Nick Bloom’s surveys show that 73% of remote workers shower before starting work compared to 85% of office-goers, with similar trends in deodorant use and even brushing teeth.
• Embracing the Weird: Anouska Shenn embraces her at-home transformation, humorously acknowledging her “luxury” routine that she keeps hidden from her partner.
• Social Skills Erosion: The lack of spontaneous face-to-face interactions is causing many to lose some of the soft skills honed in the office, making the return to in-person work feel awkward.
• Personal Anecdotes and Humor: Workers like Eric Mochnacz share their over-the-top routines—ranging from early morning word games to impromptu dance sessions—that help them manage stress, even if these behaviors might feel out-of-place in a traditional setting.

This blend of thoughtful research and colorful personal stories highlights just how dramatically our daily routines have shifted when our home becomes our office.
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