Part II: Remote Work and my Personal Life
In a previous post, I explored some of the benefits of remote work on my professional life. This reflection will look at some of the ways remote work has benefited my personal life.
Now I get that any of these factors individually does not matter to a corporation. In aggregate, however, these make for a healthier and happier me, and that can make a difference when you look at an overall workforce. Happy and healthy employees stick around.
Time – The amount of time that is saved by me not having to get dressed up, pack a lunch, prepare my work bag, and commute daily is one of the biggest reasons I love working from home. I’m able to go to the gym before work, take care of chores on my breaks, and have more time for family in the afternoons and evenings.
Flexibility – Being able to organize my day how I see fit is impactful. I can book doctor’s appointments more easily. I can travel and work from the airport or other destinations and not have to use up all my personal time.
Financial Wellness- Working from home saved me thousands of dollars in the last year. I don’t have to book a dog walker or doggie daycare, I can eat out of my fridge, and I don’t have to spend money on office clothing & makeup/car maintenance & gas/office lunches & coffee.
Physical Health – I worked with a chiropractor to put together an ergonomic setup to avoid spinal pain or carpal tunnel syndrome. My allergy meds are steps away, and no one has to listen to me horking Flonase at my desk.
Mental Health – As an introvert with limited social energy, I can reserve my battery for interactions with my friends and families. At the end of a work day, I’m not drained from making small talk and being forced to smile at people for 8 hours.
Comfort – Everything about my home office setup is more comfortable. I can wear stretchy clothing, I have a private bathroom, and I’m not squinting under fluorescent lights. I can move around my house, working from my desk or couch or dining room table depending on the time of day. Not having to wear soundproof headphones feels better as well.
Sustainability – Not having to commute means less cars on the road. The office cafeteria lunch is also full of single-use-plastics that I can avoid at home. This aligns with my values.
Safety – Safety factors include less risk of car crashes and exposure to illnesses. I used to get sick all the time when I worked face-to-face; now I can’t remember the last time I was sick. Mass shootings are also avoidable if I’m cozied on up in my home office (something I still think about a lot as a former teacher).
Breaks – My breaks in an office are wasted; I sit in an employee lounge trying to distract myself. If I am at home on my break, I can walk my dog and pet my cat, prep dinner, throw laundry in the wash, or take a quick nap in my hammock. It’s truly my time, as opposed to 15 minutes of filler that isn’t actually a refreshing break.
Home environment – Office building are soul-sucking. Sitting in a cubicle under a sea of fluorescent lights is not how I want to spend my time. At home I have art, family portraits, candles, background music, and other customizations that make me feel more cozy and happy.
Family Cohesion – As a remote worker, you have more time in your day to be available to help relatives or care for dependents. I can check in with my partner throughout the day, and I can be there for my family if they need me. Not to mention remote work allows people to move near family, while maintaining their ‘big city’ job.
Given all of these factors, it’s hard imagining ever returning to work in an office full time. Remote work has granted me a freedom I never thought I would have as a teacher, and I didn’t know I was missing. For knowledge workers, working from home should always be an option.
