Remote Work Paranoia is Real — Here’s How To Handle It

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

You pace the floor, chewing your fingernails and asking your cat for the fourth time, “why hasn’t my manager called me back?” Your cat looks at you in disgust. Frankly, he’s sick of this particular game. The challenge of remote work paranoia is real, and once again, it has wormed its way into your mind.

Was that report you sent a disaster, just as you suspect?

That funny comment in your last email…maybe your manager took it the wrong way.

Are they about to fire you?

If this sounds familiar, then you’re not alone.

Thanks to the sudden rise in work-from-home arrangements, imposter syndrome — the persistent belief that you’re a fraud despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary — is increasing.

Why is this? There are a few reasons your imposter syndrome may be surging under quarantine:

• It can be hard to gauge nuance when feedback is given via email instead of in person.
• Body language and facial expressions are harder to read via online meetings.
• Spending so much time alone makes it easier to get stuck in your own head. And, if you find yourself going down the “I’m not good enough” rabbit hole, it can be hard to get out.