One box.

48 Comments

1. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdSeptember 12,2023 at 6:59PM UTC

   Hello!

   Being brutally honest, I say neither. For me, your thought process would be stressful at work. How do you expect to grow and flourish if you're constantly thinking about heading out the door?

   It really is true that while good employees give so much effort at work - they would easily be replaced if a company wanted to let them go. I've been at my job for 20 years now. I'd need a very large box to take all of my personal thigs in 1 trip.

   The way I look at it.... I've given my best for 20 years. If the company lets me go, so be it. However, I assure you, it's going to hurt them to do so. While that sounds malicious, I don't mean it to. I simply mean that if they let me go, they will be extremely hard pressed to find just one person who can do all of the responsibilities I currently handle.

   Instead of worrying about leaving a job, perhaps set yourself into the mindset of just how difficult it would be for the company to let you go!

2. AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 7:20PM UTC

   It is definitely not exceptional planning. What it actually says to me is that you are planning to fail.

3. AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 7:29PM UTC

   I think it indicates a mindset of flexibility and openess to opportunity.

   As a perpetual job hopper (very successful I might add), I always look at my commitment as something to be continually earned by the company I'm at (the company needs to keep me happy just as I need to do for it) Because of that, I keep my standards high and my tolerance for b.s. very low. Your one box example fits me perfectly. I work hard, earn my rewards and when things get complicated with unreasonable demands that don't fit my life and commitment, or toxic colleagues/ leadership, I'm one box or 20 minutes from resignation. I feel it in my bones that it's time to move on.

   I understand many people need to feel safe in a job for 10+ years but that's not me. I like my one box career.

4. AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 9:39PM UTC

   And those people feeling safe in a job for 10+ years are no safer than a person who is there less than a year. Trust me, anyone can get laid off and the bottom line $$ always trumps ‘loyalty’, hard work, and results.

5. AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 8:32PM UTC

   Maybe not morbid, but makes me sad for anyone who has this mindset. I've heard that too, 'a banker's box full', still concerned if that's a plan often thought of.

6. AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 9:07PM UTC

   When I walk by people who have a lot of personal things in their office space I feel sad thinking about them spending time to pack it all up in front of co-workers and trudging it out to their car if they get laid off.

7. AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 1:11AM UTC

   On multiple occasions, I have had to box up an individual's personal belongings after they have been termed. Sometimes multiple boxes from an office, sometimes barely filling a box from a cube. Despite that, I have multiple personal items in my office.

8. AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 12:34PM UTC

   I was offering a different perspective to the person's note above stating they found it 'sad' that people may have a mindset of not keeping more personal items at their desk than can fit in a banker's box should they need to leave. In truth, there's nothing inherently 'sad' in either approach - limiting personal items or having multiple items. i thought the response above was a bit broad brush and judgemental (i.e., 'sad') so I wanted to push back some on that.

9. Susan RoblesSeptember 13,2023 at 7:10PM UTC

   I have seen the sadness of people who invested their lives in a company, and have been downsized. It hurts so much. Wishing the best for all!

10. AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 7:57PM UTC

    I've lived through it myself. Absolutely terrible how people can be treated after years of loyalty and hard work. That is the truly sad thing here.

11. AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 8:41PM UTC

    Oh that is such a great way to look at things.
    Your employer is not your family. You can leave forsomething better anytime.

12. AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 9:03PM UTC

    I don't think it's morbid at all. I did the same at my last position. In fact, I only kept a single coffee cup at the open office table top I occupied and I would not have cared if I walked away and left that cup behind. For me, it felt empowering to be unencumbered without a personal attachment to the office. Your job is not your home and your employer is not your family. Not morbid, realistic and, in my opinion, healthy.

13. AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 9:34PM UTC

    I never have anything except the office supplies I was forced to buy because my company is so cheap... They leave my office open and people steal things like staplers and I have to replace things I need with my own money. I am taking that stuff back home with me.

    Otherwise I would say, DO NOT HAVE ONE PERSONAL ITEM OF ANY KIND IN THE OFFICE. NOT EVEN A PICTURE TACKED TO THE WALL.

    I never understood people who feel the need to personalize their desk. I would have nothing... and I expect every single day to be my last. It sucks because it makes it hard to focus on the job at hand when supervisors keep you in fear and suspense, but that is the way it is. I don't have friends at the office, I don't want them, and I certainly would trust no one.

14. AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 12:09AM UTC

    Why not use a small cosmetic bag for the necessary supplies? If I had to buy my own, id have a backpack with the files, planner and supplies along with a laptop if you come and go with it

15. AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 12:05AM UTC

    Don't psych yourself out of a job. It's like you are expecting it to end: glass is half empty.

    No need to take your house to the office but no need to keep it boxed up.

    Family photo, favorite pencil cup and the stapler you've had your entire career. In a pinch, it can all go.

16. Heather (she/her)September 13,2023 at 10:24AM UTC

    You really have to know yourself well when it comes to this kind of thinking. If considering how to leave is going to make you feel distracted or disengaged from your work, then you might want to try to avoid it since it's only going to hurt your performance and might make things worse. On the other hand, I'm definitely someone who likes to have contingency plans, so I totally understand wanting a plan in place. If you can have one without it driving you to distraction, especially if the plan makes you feel more comfortable with the uncertainties of things you can't control, then there's nothing wrong with it!

17. AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 12:49PM UTC

    I just did a "de-cluitter" of my office. Gave away a LOT of chotzskys I'd collected over time and took a bunch of stuff home. WOW. Not only is my office nice and clean again, but it sure generated a lot of rumors around the place haha. Are you leaving? Are you retiring? Why are you getting rid of things? It was hilarious!

18. AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 1:43PM UTC

    I'm 100% not that person. As a social worker, my office is home to tons of books, wall art, fidget toys, games and other fun things for my clients. I like having an office that feels like me, that's warm and inviting, and looks like a real person spends time there. I spend so much time in my office and I want it to reflect who I am. I get sad when I see offices with no personality and blank walls. We spend so much time at work; just as we decorate our houses, I think we should decorate our workspaces. I'd rather be that person who has to carry out 7 boxes after 5 years at a job than a person who has 1, but that's just me.

    However, that doesn't make your approach wrong. I wouldn't call it morbid but if you are thinking about it a lot and focusing on when you'll quit or be fired, it sounds like you are not fully engaged in being there. If that is something that has stuck with you over decades and it's important to you, keep your stuff to one box. Do what works best for you. :)

19. AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 1:53PM UTC

    I don't understand the emotional categorization of 'no personality' or 'sad' for someone's choice that is different than your own. That's no different than a person referring to you or your personalized space as 'weird, creepy, and desperate for attention' and then shrugging and saying 'but that's just me'. This reads very passive aggressive. How sad, but you do you, boo..

20. AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 2:40PM UTC

    The reference to sad is how I feel spending time in an empty office. The description of no personality is how I would describe an office that is blank with no personalized elements. The idea of spending time in that kind of space makes me feel sad. Not that it is sad or the person is sad or the person has no personality. It's just personal choice. I clearly stated that although I'm not that kind of person, they should do what works for them.

    I guess it's no different than being hostile on the internet towards someone for expressing their ideas and thoughts, specifically ones different than your own or OP's. It reads very aggressive aggressive. As you say, how sad.

21. AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 2:54PM UTC

    Well, that's a very reactive response! I wasn't being aggressive or hostile (there you go again with the negative emotionally-laden judgements!) but I am pointing out how judgemental and passive aggressive your statements come off. You could have very simply stated you have a different approach, which is completely valid, without inferring a value judgement on another person's choices. It is completely irrelevant how you personally would feel in another person's office since that was not the question posted by OP. My last sentence 'How sad, but you do you, boo' was how I read the tone of your post - I was not saying that to you, but I do see how it could come off that way. Sorry for any confusion with the last sentence in that response.

22. Katheryn MSeptember 13,2023 at 3:18PM UTC

    I'm not trying to fight about this. It seems that we are both feeling the same energy from each other without trying to give it. I do feel that if a person asks for opinions about something on the internet, then they are opening themselves up to judgments, as well as other people's feelings and thoughts, on topic or adjacent. I was not trying to be passive-aggressive or aggressive in my original post, and was not trying to judge other people's choices- I apologize to OP and you for it coming off that way.

23. AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 5:46PM UTC

    I LOVE this concept and don't see this as morbid at all! It sounds hopeful and optimistic! It's a reminder that nothing in life is permanent and that we should always be ready for change. Change and growth are VITAL! I think it's a positive message to always be on the lookout for new and wonderful possibilities ahead!

24. AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 6:27PM UTC

    So, here's an idea for people who don't connect with filling their space with personal things they would need to box up if they left but still want the appearance of a 'lived-in' work space. How about going to Good Will or the Dollar Store and spending ~$10-20ish on miscellaneous small *things* to make the space look occupied - or even grab stuff you have been wanting to get rid of/re-home from your or family/friends house(s). Only small desktop thingies, nothing big. If you end up leaving for whatever reason you can toss it all in the trash on your way out or simply walk away and leave it there for whoever wants it.

25. AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 6:36PM UTC

    Yard Sales!!

26. Maggie StoneSeptember 14,2023 at 12:48PM UTC

    Perhaps because of my history, I never have a lot of personal items at work. And typically what I do have can be carried in a bag. I see the wisdom in what you say. However, I do have to ask myself if I am creating a bad outcome or negatively affecting my attitude or performance because I subconsciously have one foot out the door from day one.

27. AnonymousSeptember 14,2023 at 1:25PM UTC

    I think this depends on your job and your corporate culture. Having too much personal "stuff" in your office can be distracting, but a small individual item that causes you to think of something joyful can be helpful to keep you focused and in a positive frame of mind. I worked at a job where things like family pictures were not appropriate because of the population I worked with. I had a small cross that my husband made by hand that sat near my computer to provide me with a "positive thought moment" when I needed one.

    When I was laid off from a job of 22 years, I was only allowed to take my personal keys and purse with me when I left. The company packed up the office, so any personal stuff I might have left would have been gone through. It was their culture, and I knew it. So there wasn't much to pick up later. I also was not allowed to touch the computer once I left HR, and my laptop was gone when I returned to the office. I had a single folder on the computer where I had some personal stuff that they copied to a CD and gave to me when I picked up my personal property. Harsh, I know, but the company had a history of layoffs and people taking trade secrets with them when they left.

28. AnonymousSeptember 14,2023 at 2:23PM UTC

    It's not morbid, but don't overthink it. At my last job, I was with the company for 7 years when I got laid off. Ended up taking 5 boxes of belongings home. Blew my mind how much I accumulated. I decided that at my next job I would only bring enough personal items that I could fit in one shopping bag, and I have held to that. Also, due to my hybrid schedule I'm only on-site 2 days a week, so I find I'm not as attached to personalizing my office like I was in the past.

29. AnonymousSeptember 14,2023 at 5:16PM UTC

    Clearly you don't feel secure in your role. What can you do to shift this thinking? Not sure how tenured you are there but is the company unstable? If not then I think you need to find a way to think about long term value for yourself there.

30. AnonymousSeptember 14,2023 at 6:37PM UTC

    I would never do this unless I was absolutely planning to leave. To me, this is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

31. AnonymousSeptember 14,2023 at 9:55PM UTC

    No. I read that somewhere years ago. I always just have a few things I can carry out.

32. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 1:22AM UTC

    Several years ago I was let go from a job. It was a toxic workplace and the circumstances were rather difficult. Since I was already on a PIP and the handwriting was on the wall, I packed up some personal things ahead of time. On the day I was let go, I was taken into a conference room and then escorted to the door afterwards. Someone brought me my coat and my purse and I was not allowed to go back to my desk. Even though I was told that my personal items would be boxed up and sent to me, this never happened. Since in the end this amounted to a mouse pad, a few cans of soup, a stuffed animal and some plastic silverware, I never pursued contacting the company especially since I wanted to make a clean break. Given my experience I'm an advocate for not having too many personal items at work unless you really don't care if you don't get them back. Make sure any family photos, etc. have back up copies somewhere else.

33. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 2:16AM UTC

    This right here! Companies can and do treat employees this way. I stopped bringing my personal belongings into offices when I understood this. If you must fill your office with stuff to make it look 'personalized' pick up some inexpensive things at a yard sale as someone suggested and walk away clean should you get 'walked to the door'. I'm sorry this happened to you.

34. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 11:51AM UTC

    When I decided to leave my last job I started to take anything personal home so by the time I actually left I could carry i”the one or two things left in my back pack .

    i work from home now in a better job with a much better boss and only go to office two days a week from now on even if I had an assigned seat I wouldn’t bring anything personal with me to work just easier I think

    i saw many people let go at my last job and aHR came and threw all their stuff in boxes and mailed it to them , I decided I didn’t ever want that to happen to me so o brought it all home before I left.

35. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 12:30PM UTC

    Before I was self-employed, I had a fireline between my home life and my work life. No pictures, no momentos. I did add two pictures of a dog that I purchased from a secondhand store. When I left, I could fit my things in a bag.

36. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 4:07PM UTC

    Did you purchase picture frames containing some random dog or was it more of an artistic/photographic rendering with a dog as subject? I'm really hoping they were random dog pictures that you let people think were yours ;).

37. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 16,2023 at 4:34AM UTC

    My friend had a picture of some random kids on her desk. People with kids were always given more leeway for time off, leaving early, etc.

38. AnonymousSeptember 16,2023 at 3:51PM UTC

    I think that's great! I would have a private laugh every time I looked at the picture.

39. AnonymousSeptember 16,2023 at 5:35PM UTC

    OMG! This is seriously the most hilarious and amazing thing I have ever read! I am totally going to steal this idea and find a picture of a random family and put it on my desk.

40. Diane J HuffSeptember 15,2023 at 1:36PM UTC

    THIS is an old school IBM patriarchal philosophy because it implies that women will always have more STUFF than men, which I find laughable. It took my last boss 2 days to pack up his stuff when he left the company - men always have plaques on the wall, pictures, some have golf crap etc. So when women have shoes under their desk, pictures etc, it's always "too much." But I was indoctrinated at a young age in my career, and I always have just enough stuff at my desk to make a clean getaway - lol. I have just enough stuff to pack up in one box or backpack. It's crazy, I know, because I like STUFF - pictures, vendor gifts etc. But having been laid off once before in an office I got VERY comfortable in, I remember the heartbreak of having all my stuff packed and sent to me without having the chance to say "I bought those pens" or "that's my lamp" and feeling very slighted over things they didn't return. I faithfully just keep it to a minimum now.

41. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 6:14PM UTC

    I love this. I recently, being a bit dramatic I admit, packed up my desk just in case, leaving only the essentials - desk fan, wrist rest, hand sanitizer, my plant. I do miss some of the personal items, but it also gives me the feeling like I can leave anytime I want. Even though I'm not planning to do so, not yet anyways. Glad I'm not the only one who thinks about this stuff.

42. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 6:44PM UTC

    I don't think that is morbid at all! I usually just bring a few things that fit in one tote bag when I start a job and then I leave the tote bag in my desk.

    My last job was a temp job and I brought in even less. I only brought a water bottle and a small calendar. The job was a temp job and it last two months.

    To me it just makes it easy to leave quickly. I also hate long goodbyes.

43. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 9:54PM UTC

    I’m a long term temp and most of the time I work from home. Last year I was in the office 3 months straight everyday. I only brought a small calendar and hand lotion. My wfh office space is nice though :)

44. AnonymousSeptember 17,2023 at 3:24PM UTC

    This is going to sound really jaded but take it from someone with years of experience. Never trust an employer. Never give up any piece of yourself or your family to them. Do your job and do it well, but don't be giving any

    extra" of yourself. No extra "free" overtime, no late nights, no travel that takes you away from your family.

    I have learned to literally keep nothing at work that I care about leaving behind forever. No matter how safe you think you are, we are all replaceable in a heart beat. Every time I would finally make myself "at home" and get comfortable, it would jinx me and then I was laid off again. So, after multiple layoffs I had stopped putting anything at all in my desk area. Granted I was working in an industry that had very tight margins and could be seasonal aso I got out of that industry but still, I might have some hand lotion in my desk and that's about it. Everything I need can fit in my purse or workbag.

    Finally I got a state job at a public university. The pay was lower but the entire reason I wanted to be there was because of the job security. It is very hard to be laid off from state positions. After 10 years in I finally put up some pics of my family at my desk. Enter COVID. We were going to be working from home during lockdown. The last day I was in the office pre-lockdown, I took EVERYTHING I'd ever want to have with me, just in case. Yup, my job was eliminated due to COVID and the university outsourced my entire department to a 3rd party private contractor so that they would not have to re-hire anyone back.

    The only company to ever trust is the business you build yourself.

    I also now live by the mantra to never kill myself working too hard for my employer. I do my job and do it well but I do not do any "extra".I do not work late nights or give up any of my personal/family time for work. Remember that if you got sick your employer would have your job posted before you were out of the hospital. We are all replaceable and once you start to earn

    "too much" you will be replaced by new college grads who will do the same job for less money (and who have not learned the rules I just laid out, so they kill themselves trying to get up the ladder).

45. Diane J HuffSeptember 17,2023 at 6:35PM UTC

    It's not a jaded reality. It's fact. I agree 1000% percent and I applaud GenZ for living the work life from the beginning that took me decades to live. It's a JOB. It's a career. It's not YOUR LIFE. Unless you work for yourself, strive for excellence but go home at the end of the day. If your employer doesn't like that you refuse to become a corporate slave, find another job.. and another... and another until you find that company that appreciates work life balance. They DO exist.

46. AnonymousSeptember 18,2023 at 1:23PM UTC

    I've been at my company for 20+ years and I had a really bad week years ago and took my few personal items home thinking I may not show up on Monday. I've never brought anything back other than a plant and a special mug.

47. AnonymousSeptember 21,2023 at 4:52PM UTC

    I did the same thing a few months ago. I even have my work keys and fob on a separate keychain.

48. AnonymousSeptember 21,2023 at 8:03PM UTC

    It is puzzling to me why an employer would care that you didn't have any personal items on your desk. I could see the reverse being true if a person had too much stuff.