- Published On Aug 1, 2025 at 11:46 PM IST
Burnout, anxiety, and depression have become increasingly common among today’s workforce, especially among millennials juggling demanding work cultures and high expectations. One employee’s experience, shared anonymously on Reddit, sheds light on how a small but firm boundary helped them reclaim mental stability — by simply using two phones.<br /><br /><!– PROMOSLOT_M –><h2>Breaking Point Leads to a Simple Solution</h2>The Reddit user described how they felt overwhelmed by nonstop work-related notifications, which blurred the line between personal life and office responsibilities. This constant state of hyper-connectivity led to worsening anxiety and depression, eventually pushing them to try a radical but effective solution.<br /><br /><!– PROMOSLOT_M –><div class=” article-detail-ad-slot=”” captionrendered=”1″ data-src=”https://etimg.etb2bimg.com/photo/123050096.cms” height=”442″ loading=”eager” src=”https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/images/default.jpg” width=”590″>
They took their existing number and turned it into a work-only contact, pairing it with a basic smartphone reserved strictly for office communication. A new number was then created exclusively for personal use. Work emails, WhatsApp, and LinkedIn were shifted entirely to the work phone, which switches off automatically once their shift ends. After that, the phone is packed away, out of sight and reach.
The change, they say, transformed their mental well-being. No longer burdened by pings or guilt over unread emails, they were able to disconnect after hours and finally feel like a person outside of work. They even went so far as to give a friend’s address as their location and claimed weak network coverage to prevent being disturbed after work hours.
Pushback From Employers
Not everyone who has tried this method has had smooth sailing. Another Reddit user commented that their colleague attempted a similar two-phone system, only to be publicly reprimanded by their manager. As a result, their probation wasn’t extended, and they were asked to resign. Despite the setback, the original poster maintained that the boundary was essential for survival in a toxic work environment and emphasized that prioritizing mental health should never be up for compromise.
They also noted that the toll of unchecked stress had already resulted in them developing tinnitus — a condition they continue to deal with daily. “I can’t take more damage,” they wrote, expressing frustration with the idea that being always available is somehow a marker of professionalism.
Is Gen Z Leading the Way in Drawing Boundaries?
Reflecting on generational attitudes, the poster admitted that millennials often struggle to enforce boundaries, fearing judgment or professional consequences. In contrast, they observed that Gen Z employees tend to draw clearer lines between work and life. Inspired by that mindset, the user decided it was time to adapt a similar approach.
Some Redditors pointed out that Android smartphones already have built-in tools like work profiles or scheduled “work modes” that don’t require owning two devices. However, the poster countered that human behavior often overrides discipline-based solutions. For them, the physical separation of two phones made it easier to mentally log off.
Other commenters emphasized that employers should not expect 24/7 availability, while others highlighted the risk of damaging relationships with managers or harming career progression.>
- Published On Aug 1, 2025 at 11:46 PM IST
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