The number of people working from home is higher than ever before. Although there are some pitfalls to look out for, I love being able to work from home.
It could be that you work remotely. You do have an employer and an office or base where the business is situated but you are based at home. Or like me, you are a self-employed freelancer who can work wherever you fancy that particular day.
The technology around today ensures that pretty much any job where you’d normally be at a computer can be done remotely. Cloud collaboration software and video call conferences can be set up anywhere there is a wifi signal.
Working from home can mean working in a coffee shop, or hot desking in a co-working space. But I’m firmly in the at home camp.
Home working suits me.
Yes, there’s the never-ending call of the laundry that’ll just take ten minutes to sort. But it never is just ten minutes is it? It starts at the laundry pile and ends up with you attempting to meal plan for the rest of the week, and doing other kinds of chores around the home.
Step away from the washing machine.
You see, as vast and plentiful as the distractions are at home, I know them and therefore they are less powerful.
Sit me in a cafe and I’ll be gazing out of the window, listening to conversations, ordering fancy things off the menu and generally making the most of being out of the house. It’s far too interesting to keep my eyes on the page and my mind on the task.
Working from home I have the choice of how much noise I’d like. If I really need to focus it will be silence, but sometimes I’ll have Radio Two on in the background.
Working from home means I’m never struggling for a power socket. You really can’t guarantee a power supply when working from a coffee shop.
I’m in a calmer state of mind in my own environment. Engaging much more in what I’m doing as my mind is clear and ready to get on with it.
Getting up and making myself a drink or fixing some lunch has no risk attached! I’ve never liked leaving my laptop on a table somewhere.
I’m also spending less by working from home, always a thumbs up for me.
Working from home and remote working is great for your stress levels. There’s no commute! If you are working from home you can even work in your pyjamas, and even from bed. There have definitely been times where if I’d had a job at a particular location I’d have called in sick, but because I’m working at home I can still be productive, even if I’m not feeling my best.
At home, you have all your home comforts, you can also choose whereabouts in your home you choose to work. Depending on my mood, for example, if I need to be writing creatively I’ll work sitting on my sofa in the living room. If I’m doing admin or emails, I’ll probably sit at my kitchen table, and if I’m on a call or have a meeting on Skype I will be in my dining room.
Each space feels different to me and each space helps me focus in the ways I need to for the task.
For me working from home helps my creativity, the freedom it gives me is unparalleled.
I’m choosing my own hours and I can balance family life.
It does take discipline to work from home, and occasionally I do get cabin fever. But I can take breaks whenever I like and pop out to the shops or meet a friend for a coffee.
Savouring that coffee shop for the actual coffee, not the wifi.
Do you work from home?
- All photography in this post is by Emmylou from Chiascuro
susan earlam ~ horror author 
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