Having a private bathroom at work changed something I never imagined would be important

​ I work as an accountant at a mid-sized company. After a few years there, I was promoted to a better position within the finance department, and with that came my own office. My office isn't exactly luxurious. It’s basically a desk, a computer, some cabinets, and a small bathroom in the corner. And when I say small, I mean *small*: it has a toilet and a sink—no shower, nothing fancy. But of all the perks that came with the promotion, I think this is one I’ve come to value the most. I’ve always been someone who uses the bathroom a lot. My digestion works well, but my system is very active. I usually need to poop once or twice a day—sometimes more, depending on what I ate the day before—and I also pass a lot of gas; nothing out of the ordinary, but naturally, it smells pretty bad. I was never embarrassed about using the communal office restrooms or pooping at work. But I think everyone knows that feeling of being in a small stall with people walking by, trying to be as quiet as possible, and hoping no one walks in right after you. I used to work in a shared office. I liked the environment, but sometimes I’d feel uncomfortable because I’d start overthinking things: "Did they hear that fart?" Once I got my own office, I simply stopped worrying about that. I can close the door, poop in peace, and go back to work without feeling awkward. The funny thing is, when I know I’m going to be in there a while, I take my laptop with me to handle work tasks—answering emails, reviewing documents or spreadsheets, or finishing up simple jobs. There have been days when I stayed in there longer because my digestion was acting up; in the past, that probably would have made me really anxious. Now, I just think: "Thank goodness this bathroom is mine." I never told my colleagues about this because they probably would have laughed. But the truth is, this small change greatly improved my work routine.