I started working from home for Airbnb in late September. It’s been about a month now and I’m starting to understand more about the job and what it’s like to work from home.
Sometimes it’s great, but sometimes it really sucks. If you’re considering working remotely here are some things that may help you decide…
Pros
- No commute! I used to carve out 2-3 hours a day commuting to and from my job. Now I just roll over and turn my laptop on.
- Fancy laptop from the company
- This fancy laptop is a Macbook Air 13″ and she’s a beaut! Fast as lightning and under 3lbs it makes moving around the house, working at a coffee shop or even traveling easy!
- The ability to work from anywhere as long as you have internet
- No need to get dressed up or observe hygiene (within reason)
- Flexible schedule – I can have lunch or take breaks almost whenever I want
- Ability to multi-task. If things are slow I can get stuff done around the house while I monitor the computer
- As long as I’m near the comp and not too busy I can have friends over!
- Costs associated with working outside the home (eating out, extra transportation, alcohol) are virtually non-existent. Even though my hourly wage is puny, at least I’m saving a lot by staying home so much!
- Less stress, I don’t have to worry about people watching me every moment
Cons
- Dang, it gets lonely. You become a bit of a hermit because you’re not out in society anymore
- At times you can be tethered to your job and working insane hours just because your computer happens to be there. Work/life balance can still be hard to achieve
- No reason to dress up anymore 🙁
- Your home can actually get messier because you’re at home all the time now
- Potential weight gain from sitting so close to the kitchen all the time
- Still hard to get up in the morning. Just because your commute is only 30 seconds now doesn’t mean you can show up late!
- Lack of direction and discipline can become issues
There are more pros in my list than cons, but the loneliness factor is a huge one. I really feel isolated and cut off from the world. I try to get out more, but this isolation breeds more isolation. I’m more of a homebody than ever before! I’m having issues with the lack of routine, as well. It was much easier to fall into one when there were other people around. Now that I’m at home all the time, some days I don’t even get dressed. I love dressing up so this is very disappointing for me!
I’ve been trying to establish a routine that involves waking up at a good time, eating properly and getting outside for a walk or something every day, but frankly, I suck at this. The crappy weather may have something to do with it, but I think it’s mostly my own laziness and resistance. Somehow I’ve developed these habits and routines of laziness without even knowing it. Ruh-roh.
I used to hate the people when I was working in advertising (ok maybe not hate but I didn’t like most of them) and now I find myself missing people the most in this new job. I can still technically talk to my coworkers through Skype and video chats, but it’s just not the same. I guess I’m struggling with this change.
What would you do in my situation?
6 responses to “The Pros & Cons of Working from Home”
I work from home too and yep, the loneliness gets to me, as well. I love working from home but occasionally I do miss the social aspect of an office.
You already mentioned going to a cafe – so maybe you can find one where you really like the vibe? Go regularly – say every Tuesday and Thursday, or say, from the same time (9 am – 12 noon). It'll get you into a routine, give you a reason to dress up, and also, you start to see the other regulars and even make new friends! 🙂
I can see where I'd become a homebody and get really lazy with a routine as well. I buck at one now, and I work outside the home. Is there a friend that is close by that has this same type of thing? Perhaps you could schedule a workout date with that friend, so you have someone to walk with or keep you motivated to get up and move.
Something else I'd probably do if I was given the ability to work from home – grab a really fun workout DVD with great music and pop it in! I also love dancing when I'm not being watched, so throw on the tunes are shake it!! Though I'm not sure this can be done all the time – I'm not sure what your work-from-home responsibilities entail – but maybe you could start with putting on some of your favourite tunes and dancing around your place? It's amazing exercise! Once you get those endorphins going, then maybe you could take a walk around your neighbourhood, and start a journal of all the interesting things you see that you would normally miss commuting?
Lastly, you are a whiz at throwing great parties – tea party, fun food party etc. Perhaps you could host one a month? You have something to plan and take up some time, you have something to look forward too, you have friends coming by to see you, and you have reasons to have your businesses on display.
Working from home, I think can do two things, cause you to get really motivated about something (like taking the time for YOU to work on YOU in some aspect) or get you really unmotivated about things (becoming a total hermit, not leaving the couch, and being antisocial). I think now you can schedule in time with yourself to get some of your others goal accomplished.
I recommend dancing though! Highly Highly recommend dancing!
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Hi there,
I enjoy reading personal finance blogs and yours is one I regularly check along with my other list of favorites.
Working from home can be super tough. I would also get very lonely. You could try going to a cafe more? If it's a great place, you'll get to know the staff and regulars as well as drink yummy drinks 🙂
I hope you find something that works for you.
Keep blogging!
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I have never worked from home but I dream about it. I do like the routine of going to work to an extent and to social interaction of that. My dream is to be smart enough about money so I can work from home if so I choice.
I have been working from home for about 10 months. I think you nailed the pros and cons. I try to go out at least a few times a week with friends and keep in touch with people via chat and email, but it's hard to develop a routine. I also find I'm much less active since I don't have to walk around to get to & from work as much.
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