By Karen

Let's first explore what reading freedom means.

Around the fourth week of working from home—after a brief return to the office, then back to remote work due to company policy—I began reflecting on this transition.

While monitoring the pandemic's progress, I also noticed changes in many people's mental and physical states. Some lost their jobs due to COVID; others, facing financial pressures, had to risk exposure to work; and still others remained on the front lines, helping people through this global crisis.

During this period, I discovered that many people struggle to maintain boundaries between work and life when working from home, and have started complaining about their lives. I wonder: when people try to clearly separate work, off-work, life, and survival, does it reveal that some part of their subconscious dislikes being in a prolonged state—even if that state is only 8 to 10 hours a day?

Renowned American author Gail Sheehy once noted that commuting is actually a ritual that divides daily life into two halves: one side is work, the other is life, allowing the brain to consciously switch between different states.

But why can't work also be a way of living?

"With time to think, comes the ability to think." This is the deepest insight I gained from two separate periods living abroad—three to six months each.

When I first entered the workforce, I struggled to adapt. Later, though I could keep pace with the company's demands and the high-pressure, fast-paced environment, I felt deeply unhappy. That unhappiness came from feeling that everything had to fit the world's predetermined boxes—the words you spoke, the texts you wrote, your clothing, your demeanor—all had to align with a certain identity and value to be noticed and respected.

After several years, indulging my youthful impulsiveness like I did when I spent half a year in Korea as a student, I quit abruptly and went to the Philippines for three months. That's when I realized: when life slows down and you set aside the armor you wear against the world, all you really want is to genuinely enjoy life and this world.

Back in Taiwan for about a year or so, and caught up in the hustle again, I began pouring my passion into the things I love. I didn't feel like I was working or accountable to anyone. Recently, I came across articles discussing "gaps" or "windows," and after my own experience, I believe these periods are incredibly important.

There are roughly three reasons why:

First: Reset your current situation and view yourself from a new perspective

Many people become comfortable with their current lives—even the difficult parts feel "natural." The key issue is lacking awareness of latent stress, or believing such pressure should simply be overcome and accepted, creating a cycle of negative effects.

When you have a gap period, you're essentially viewing life from a new angle and reassessing your recent state. Were you pushing too hard? What kind of life do you actually want to live? Was your previous pace necessary?

Second: Genuine relaxation

I discovered that not having to rush out the door first thing has actually been good for my health. In the past, the commute meant pressure—I had to hurry through my morning routine, rush out, and deal with traffic, transfers, and bus schedules that could affect my punctuality. That state was genuinely tense.

Without commuting, I can get up and start work in a relaxed state. Between tasks, I can finally handle household chores I never had time for—ironing clothes, for instance! (I used to leave home with wrinkled clothes, which really affected my appearance.) Now that I have more time, I can attend to those small details that work had pushed aside, and fill in those gaps.

Third: Explore what comes next and maintain mental health

If you eliminate commute time, you might gain one to two extra hours daily. Beyond that, since you're no longer rushing around outside, you have better energy and focus—so you can add more time for emotional renewal. Realistically, you gain about two hours a day.

Those extra hours are perfect for genuine thinking. We've traditionally only focused on physical health, but mental health deserves attention too. A healthy mindset helps you move forward with clearer goals and a more positive attitude.

If you've never given yourself permission to pause and stop, why not use this time to think deeply?