Why does this specific behavior captivate us? Because the office is a stage, and the rolling chair is the slowest, most suspenseful turntable in drama.

Next time she turns, wait three seconds. Then, slowly turn your chair towards her. Maintain eye contact. Say nothing. If she smiles or laughs, you are friends. If she looks horrified and spins back to her screen, she was zoning out and you just made it weird.

A physical or digital indicator (like a small light on the monitor) that signals "Deep Work Mode."

If subtle shifts don't work and the behavior continues to make you feel uneasy, a direct but professional conversation may be necessary.

Sometimes simply saying, "Hey [Name], sorry, could you scoot over a bit? I’m feeling a little cramped here," is enough to break the habit without making it a "thing." Are you planning to report this formally , or are you just trying to figure out how to bring it up to her directly?

"I am perfectly centered in my own workspace," she snapped, finally looking at me. Her eyes were sharp, framed by glasses that were strictly business, yet there was a smudge of ink on her cheek. "You are the one encroaching. Your desk organizer is over the line."