NPR.

One morning about a month ago, Gina Gill realized that her relationship with work was forever

changed.

She was standing in her bedroom, steaming a blouse for work.

I was just looking at my steamer and thinking, I don't want this life again where I'm getting

up every morning, picking out an outfit, having a steam like just everything that goes along

with it.

Gina is 35.

And for the last decade, she's been working for the federal government for the Department

of Defense.

She's been making good money.

She really likes working in government, likes her colleagues.

But she started working from home after the COVID pandemic began.

And now Gina's job was asking her to come back into the office every day, jump back into

this daily routine she'd had in the before times.

I used to wake up at 4.30, so I could go to the gym before I went to work.

And then, you know, shower, get ready.

And, you know, as a female getting ready, that can take a lot.

You're doing hair, makeup, outfit.

And standing there, looking at her steamer, Gina thought, no.

I'm like, I can't do this.

And I quit.

...