meet susan: a lifelike representation of a future remote worker in 2045

the COVID-19 pandemic caught us off guard, wreaking havoc around the world and changing our lifestyles in many ways. with lockdowns imposing people around the globe to stay home, the world underwent a remote working experiment that changed our lifestyles drastically. no more communing, no more walking or cycling to work — the longest distanced traveled became from the bed to the desk to the kitchen, repeat. and while this new routine allows you for more free time and independence, what will be the physical repercussions to your mind and body?

directlyapply, a job discovery platform, created a depiction of what they think remote workers could look like in the next 25 years if they don’t change their home working habits. from reduced social interaction to lack of proper exercise, to hunched shoulders and digital eye strain, the company has outlined many physical implications of what spending hours glued to our computers can unknowingly be doing to our physical and mental well-being.

the images created by directlyapply are, to say the least, quite unpleasing. the lifelike representation showcases a human figure with dry, inflamed and bloodshot eyes, with a hyperextended neck, rounded shoulders and a hunchback. hair loss, dark circles, and increased wrinkles are some undesired things that might happen too. of course obesity and increased stress would be another effect if we don’t create new grounds for this new normality.

the pandemic revolutionized the way companies work, with my businesses already looking to implement permanent hybrid and flexible working schedules. but before this becomes our new norm, it would be good to consider these tips the company has offered in order to stop this nightmarish future. directlyapply states that it’s important to maintain a steady routine, nurture social connections, exercise, have a work-life balance, to use your free time wisely and to improve teamwork and collaborations.