Recovery and remote working - Sophie's story

I keep seeing debates online about remote work, flexible schedules, and working from home. These conversations made me reflect on my own experience and how remote work has been incredibly beneficial for my mental health, beyond just the practical advantages.

During the lockdowns, I struggled a lot and relapsed into unhealthy habits. That period brought up difficult emotions, and I eventually joined a therapy waitlist. While waiting for therapy, I started my first office job. At first, the structure helped, it gave me something to focus on, and the routine kept me grounded. But then, another lockdown hit, and I found myself dreading working from home, fearing the lack of structure would make things worse. Obviously, it is a massive privilege to even have these thoughts but I’m just being honest.

To my surprise, the opposite happened. Working remotely gave me the flexibility to prioritise my well-being in ways I couldn’t have in an office. I listened to educational podcasts on eating disorders and body image, and I used my breaks to attend therapy over the phone, something I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. That time became essential for my recovery and mental health.

When the lockdowns ended, I returned to office life and, for a while, I enjoyed it. But over time, I began to notice how draining it was. Conversations about food, diets, and what people were eating (or avoiding) seemed constant. The way people categorised foods as “good” or “bad” was exhausting. On top of that, I had less time to focus on my well-being because I was so mentally drained by these daily interactions.

If you don’t struggle with food and body image, these conversations might not even register. But for me, they were a constant trigger, reminders of negative thoughts I was working hard to unlearn. Most of my energy went into managing those thoughts and strategies from therapy, all while bracing for the next inevitable discussion about food.

Now, working fully remote, I realise just how much of a positive impact it has had. I know remote work isn’t for everyone, but for me it means I can focus on my job without the added pressures of office culture.

To be clear, I’m not saying that people with eating disorders should avoid these topics or that working from home is the solution. Therapy has given me the tools to face these conversations, I wouldn’t notice people speaking in this way anymore. However, facing it daily is a lot and if I had the choice, I’d rather not engage with it at all.

Remote work has allowed me to enjoy my job and be more present in my work. Office culture often mirrors broader societal trends, where discussions around weight, women's bodies, and dieting are everywhere. Just as I can curate my social media to keep it a positive space, flexible working gives me that same opportunity in my daily life.