u/Ozy_mandy

Hi everyone, looking for some honest advice. I’m an independent contractor in a 100% WFH role. The company doesn't require me to log in at all, so I completely set my own schedule (peak volume is usually 8 AM-4 PM).

The issue: I haven’t logged in to work in a long time. Every day I say "tomorrow," but I end up in bed scrolling on my phone all day. Fortunately, my current living expenses are very cheap, but that also means I don't have that immediate financial panic forcing me to work, making it incredibly easy to keep procrastinating.

I used to be highly disciplined when I worked in a traditional call center environment. Being at home is clearly my biggest trigger for avoiding work.

I’m strongly considering renting a cheap, private office space just to force a physical commute and recreate that external work environment.

Has anyone else experienced this level of WFH paralysis? Is paying for a small workspace a smart move to force accountability, or is there another way you broke the cycle?

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some honest advice from fellow freelance interpreters.

I currently work as an independent contractor doing OTP and VRI. The job is 100% WFH with no set schedule. I can log in whenever I want, though peak volume is usually between 8 AM and 4 PM.

The problem is that I have completely lost my discipline. I haven’t logged in to take calls in 8 months. Every single day I tell myself that "tomorrow" or "next week" is when I'll finally start, but I just end up staying in bed, watching TV, and scrolling on my phone all day. Fortunately, my current living expenses are very cheap, but that also means I don't have that immediate financial panic forcing me to work, making it incredibly easy to keep procrastinating.

I used to work in a traditional call center and I was much more disciplined back then. It seems like being in my own house is my biggest trigger for doing nothing; the lack of a commute or a physical boundary has completely paralyzed my workflow.

I’m seriously considering renting a cheap, private office space just to force myself to get out of the house and recreate that "going to work" environment. It wouldn't be too expensive, and I feel like I need that physical separation between my living space and my workspace.

Has anyone else experienced this level of WFH paralysis? If you have, how did you break the cycle? Do you think paying for a private office is a smart move to force accountability, or is there another way you managed to rebuild your discipline?

Any advice or tough love is appreciated!

My dad has a long history of mental illness and alcoholism rooted in pretty bad trauma. Growing up, he never attended any school events or graduations for me or my siblings. He did try to be present in other ways. He provided for us economically, but he was a bad partner to my mom and cheated on her. The emotional absence and the instability were still a big part of our childhood.

He’s recently started a relationship with a new woman and seems to be doing better with her. She has a daughter who’s about to graduate, and my dad is planning to go to the ceremony.

I’m not okay with this. After years of empty seats at our events, watching him make the effort to be there for someone else’s kid feels honestly humiliating. I get that he’s in a better place now and that this is part of his new relationship, but the contrast hits hard. He could still celebrate or support her without making that specific public gesture.

I’ve been trying to figure out how (or whether) to tell him how angry and hurt this makes me without it turning into a bigger fight. Part of me wants him to understand the impact. Another part just wants the feeling acknowledged so I’m not sitting with it alone.

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation, a parent who was largely absent or unstable (due to addiction, mental health, trauma, etc.) later showing up more for a new partner’s family? How did you handle the feelings, and did you end up talking to them about it?

Any advice or shared experiences would help.