8 quirky habits people have at work but never talk about

We all have them. 

You know, those little habits we secretly perform at work that seem completely normal until we imagine someone else noticing. 

Maybe you quietly whisper motivational pep talks to yourself or check your email way too frequently out of pure boredom.

The thing is, these quirky habits aren’t weird at all. They’re actually pretty common. 

Today, I’ll walk you through eight odd workplace behaviors many of us share but rarely talk about openly.

Let’s see how many you relate to.

1. Pretending to look busy

Ever catch yourself randomly clicking tabs or typing vigorously when your boss walks by? It’s almost instinctive. And you’re definitely not alone.

Psychologists call this behavior “performative busyness,” and it’s pretty common. 

Many workers feel pressure to constantly appear productive, even if they’re actually waiting for tasks or feeling mentally checked out.

I’ve personally found that faking busyness can ironically trigger real productivity. When I pretend to work, I usually start doing actual tasks just to maintain the illusion.

2. Whispering pep talks to yourself

Do you ever quietly say phrases like, “You’ve got this,” or “Okay, let’s focus,” before tackling something challenging? I definitely have.

In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear mentions that the way we speak to ourselves significantly shapes our behavior. 

Quietly talking to ourselves improves mental clarity, decision-making, and stress management.

Turns out, whispering encouragement to yourself isn’t weird—it’s a powerful mental strategy.

3. Secretly stashing snacks

I’ll admit it, I keep a secret stash of snacks in my desk drawer. Protein bars, almonds, and yes, occasionally chocolate. 

Why the secrecy? Probably because it feels slightly childish.

But nutritionists argue that having healthy snacks nearby stabilizes your blood sugar and improves concentration throughout the workday. 

Having good nutritional options readily available is important to avoid poor snack choices later.

So go ahead and stock your drawer without embarrassment. You’re just fueling productivity in disguise.

4. Doodling during meetings

My notebooks are full of random doodles from meetings. Initially, I worried that people would assume I wasn’t paying attention. 

But it turns out doodling might actually enhance focus.

A study from the University of Plymouth showed that people who doodled during meetings retained significantly more information. 

The act of drawing seems to keep our brains engaged, preventing us from zoning out.

So, next time someone points out your sketches, remind them it’s just your way of staying fully engaged.

5. Rearranging your desk under stress

Have you ever found yourself reorganizing your workspace right before a big deadline? It’s like a spontaneous ritual, right?

Rearranging your workspace might seem trivial, but it provides a quick sense of control during stressful moments, helping you reset your focus.

I’ve noticed that even small changes to my desk setup significantly reduce anxiety before diving into an intimidating task.

6. Constantly refreshing your inbox

If you’ve caught yourself repeatedly refreshing your email inbox every few minutes, welcome to the club. 

This quirky habit is partly anxiety-driven, partly boredom, and partly procrastination.

Frequently checking messages interrupts the flow of meaningful tasks. But still, we do it compulsively because we’re either avoiding difficult work or anxiously awaiting important news.

Next time you’re stuck in a refresh loop, pause and ask yourself if you’re genuinely expecting an urgent message or just stalling.

7. Wearing only one earbud

Do you ever keep just one earbud in while working? It might look indecisive, but it’s actually a strategic move.

With one earbud, you’re partially tuned into music or a podcast, which keeps you mentally stimulated, while also staying somewhat accessible for office conversations or updates. 

One earbud in, one ear open. Quirky, yet practical.

8. Emailing reminders to yourself

For a long time, I thought I was the only one sending emails to myself as reminders or to capture random ideas. 

Turns out, tons of people do this.

Emailing yourself is essentially a simplified digital form of journaling. It’s quick, easy, and ensures you won’t lose important ideas amid your busy schedule.

If your inbox regularly features messages from your past self, relax—you’ve discovered a convenient productivity hack.

Wrapping things up, but it’s still a big deal…

These quirky workplace habits might look insignificant on the surface. 

But they reveal a lot about how we handle daily pressures and stay productive. 

They also show how we find small moments of comfort throughout the workday. 

So, instead of feeling awkward about these little rituals, embrace them. 

They’re simply clever, human ways of navigating modern office life.