Why Working From Home Is The Best Decision You'll Ever Make
Working from home, strange to some and habitual for others, is a rising trend when it comes to finding a career. Available in more than one department, working remotely means that you mainly work from home, in some cases, going to the office in person a few times a month. For some companies, there is no physical office, and all the work is done remotely. If you have the chance to choose this option but are still debating, search no more.
Here is why working from home is the best decision you’ll ever make, and why you will probably never regret it.
1. Save on Office Expenses by Working From Home
If you’re an employer, having all your employees work remotely means you don’t need a physical office. No rent, no computers, no coffee machines, no desks, no equipment whatsoever. This represents huge savings on the monthly budget. Most people have computers at home, so unless sophisticated or specific equipment is needed for the job, everyone should be equipped already.
If you’re an employee, you are also saving. No gas, no transportation, no coffee shops on the way. You also save time. If it takes you about 20-30 minutes to get to work, you’ll be saving 40 minutes to an hour every day. Time is precious and it’s important to use it wisely. If that means baking banana bread before work on some mornings, so be it. Take advantage of all the extra time you’ll have.
2. Make More Money From Home
As we’ve mentioned, no transportation means you’re saving time and money. All that gas money will stay in your pocket. If you need more convincing, do a simple calculation of how much you pay for the gas every month and see how much your road trips to work are costing you. Don’t forget to calculate the coffees you pick up some mornings. You could be surprised.
More time also means more time to work. Having an extra hour every day could mean be useful for your paycheck. Of course, I’m not telling you to become a workaholic, but on some days, an extra hour could certainly be used. And with fewer distractions, your concentration will certainly be better, which will make the quality of your work even better.
3. Having a Home Office is Less Stressful
Being on a tight schedule, running around all the time, takes a toll on us. We live in such a fast-paced, stressful world, it certainly affects us all one way or the other. Remember that extra hour? It could also be used for your morning routine. Take the time to drink your warm morning coffee in front of the window, get ready, and then start working.
Of course, you’ll need to find what works best for you. Some might prefer sleeping for 30 minutes more instead. And that’s okay. What’s important is to have a routine and maintain it. It’s important that you still have some form of structure, it just doesn’t have to be so stressful and fast.
4. Shorter Office Hours Will Give You More Time With Friends and Family
No need to wait for your shift to end when you’re done with your work. If you’re done, you’re free. This often means getting off work earlier and having a more flexible schedule in general. Even if you have a set schedule, you are still free to move things around if necessary. You have control over your weekly schedule.
This will give you more time to do things that are meaningful to you. You’ll be able to meet up with friends and family more often, which is something we always seem to lack time for.
Things to Avoid to Stay Productive While Working From Home
In order to taste all the benefits that come from working from home, there are a few things you should be aware of:
1. Becoming a workaholic
As briefly mentioned before, this is a very important warning. The reason it’s so important is that it’s so easy to fall into. The routine you impose for yourself should also include the time you get off work. There won’t be someone to tell you to stop and go home, as you are already there. Having structure and being disciplined also means being able to stop. And don’t forget that sick days are still valid. You need them.
2. Ruining the comfort of your home
A lot of people who work from home make the mistake of mixing their working space with their safe space, which should be avoided. A great example of this is having your office in your bedroom. Your mind is a fragile thing and sending mixed signals could completely ruin the comfort of your home.
The best option is to have a separate room serve as your office. If you can’t do that, there are many ways you could seclude your office from the rest of the room. You could use a bookshelf for example. Have fun with the decoration, make it yours. If you don’t live alone, make sure that you set boundaries when it comes to your working space. Just because you’re home doesn’t mean you’re working any less.
3. Never leaving the house
This one is quite subtle, and you might not notice the effects at first. If work was the main reason you left the house, working from doesn’t mean you should spend all your time there. You must find occasions to go out and get fresh air. You might think you’re fine at first, but you will surely get tired of your home after some time if you never leave.
Being someone who absolutely loves being home, I can tell you that it will affect you after some time even if you think it won’t. So, before you get to that point, be sure to go out at least once a day, even if you only go out on your balcony. Just make sure to get a breath of fresh air every day.
4. Neglecting your workspace
We’ve mentioned how having a designated workspace is important. But it’s also important to take care of it and make it yours. Think of it as an advantage; you are free to decorate it however you want. It’s entirely yours. If you lack inspiration, look up desk aesthetics on Pinterest. You might find something you like.
If your office only consists of a desk and a chair in a dark corner, it won’t be very motivating. One way to help you look forward to working is having a comfortable working space that you love. It really makes a difference, so take the time to make it comfortable and inviting.
5. Missing deadlines because of lack of organization
As mentioned, working from home will give you more time. But bad use of that extra time could lead you to miss deadlines and therefore affect the quality of your work. If you want to be able to spend more time with friends and family and relax, you need to be done with your work first.
Having a set schedule will help you stay organized. You will have enough time to do a good job on each project and your work will be of better quality than if you rush it. You’ll also be able to enjoy your off time without any unnecessary stress from unfinished work.
In conclusion, working from home will truly be the best decision you’ll ever make if you do it properly. Of course, everyone is different and what works for one will not necessarily work for everyone. Test things out and find what works best for you. You’ll have newfound freedom, don’t be afraid to use it!
Opinions and Perspectives
ThriveAndShine
3 years ago
Remote work isn't perfect but the benefits far outweigh the challenges for me.
Samuel-David
3 years ago
The best part? Being able to work from anywhere with good internet. Freedom is priceless.
MiaCreates
3 years ago
I actually feel more connected to my colleagues now that we're all making an effort to stay in touch.
Angelica_Light
3 years ago
The article misses the point about timezone challenges when working with international teams.
DarkKnight
3 years ago
Working from home helped me achieve better work-life integration rather than just balance.
Outdoor_Explorer_77
3 years ago
Remote work made me realize how much of my job can be done asynchronously.
ElevateYourEnergy
3 years ago
The money I saved on commuting went straight into creating a garden office. Now that's luxury!
JakeFoster
3 years ago
I've learned more about technology in the past year of remote work than in my previous five years at the office.
CyberStorm
3 years ago
The article is right about maintaining a routine but flexible enough to enjoy the perks of working from home.
HappinessHacks
3 years ago
I found my sweet spot with hybrid working. Three days at home, two in the office. Best of both worlds.
Murrow_Media
3 years ago
Remote work exposed which managers actually trust their employees and which ones are micromanagers.
MindsetMatters
3 years ago
Working from home has made me more intentional about socializing. I appreciate face-to-face interactions more now.
OliviaJ
3 years ago
I save so much time not having to commute, but sometimes I miss that transition period to decompress.
Stretch_And_Strength
3 years ago
The article should address the challenge of training new employees remotely. It's a whole different ball game.
Josephine-Kelly
3 years ago
I've actually made new friends through online work communities. Remote doesn't have to mean isolated.
LostGalaxy
3 years ago
My productivity fluctuates more at home. Some days I'm super focused, others not so much.
Thriving-Lifestyle_42
3 years ago
The key to successful remote work is overcommunication. You have to make up for the lack of face-to-face interaction.
AstralEnigma
3 years ago
I love that I can travel and work from different locations now. Office life felt so restricting in comparison.
FadingReality
3 years ago
My company saves money on office space but they haven't passed any of those savings onto employees.
AstralNomad
3 years ago
The article downplays how challenging it can be to collaborate on creative projects remotely.
EleanorColeman
3 years ago
I find myself more organized now. I have to be when everything is digital.
Adam
3 years ago
Working from home lets me take care of my elderly parent while maintaining my career.
LilyGonzalez
3 years ago
I've learned to appreciate my lunch breaks more. No more eating at my desk!
InvisibleLegend
3 years ago
The article should mention the importance of regular team building activities for remote teams.
Roman
3 years ago
My sleep schedule has improved dramatically since I don't have to wake up super early for the commute.
NickW
3 years ago
Remote work made me realize how much of office life was just performative busy work.
Williams_Watch
3 years ago
I struggle with the lack of separation between work and home life. The office gave me that clear boundary.
SkyeX
3 years ago
The money saved on commuting went straight into upgrading my home office. Worth every penny.
Serenity-Scott
3 years ago
I actually got promoted while working remotely. It's possible if you maintain good communication.
HerbalHealing
3 years ago
Working from home showed me how much time I wasted in unnecessary meetings at the office.
JacksonEdwards
3 years ago
The article is right about making your workspace inviting. Plants and good lighting make such a difference.
GlowFrom_Within
3 years ago
I miss the structure of office life. Some days at home feel like groundhog day.
Lauren_66
3 years ago
My cooking skills have improved so much since working from home. No more sad desk lunches!
Tumulty_Tales
3 years ago
The hardest part was learning to switch off at the end of the day. Still working on that.
Holt_Headlines
3 years ago
Remote work has opened up job opportunities I never had access to before. I can work for companies anywhere in the world now.
DigitalPulseX
3 years ago
The article should emphasize the importance of regular video calls. They help maintain team connection.
HealingHaven
3 years ago
My relationship with my partner improved since working from home. We get to have lunch together most days.
Blitzer_Brief
3 years ago
Setting a routine is crucial. I still get dressed properly every morning as if I'm going to the office.
Danica99
3 years ago
I actually focus better at home. The office was always too cold and too noisy.
MckenzieR
3 years ago
The article doesn't address the technical challenges. My internet connection chooses the worst times to act up.
FutureOutlaw
3 years ago
I've become so much closer with my dog since working from home. She's the best coworker I've ever had!
InfinityNomad
3 years ago
Not having to dress up every day has saved me a fortune on work clothes.
DigitalWanderer
4 years ago
The article is right about boundaries. My family still doesn't understand that working from home means actually working.
Summer-Norman
4 years ago
The savings aren't as great as suggested when you factor in home office setup costs and increased utility bills.
Lilith_Breeze
4 years ago
Working from home exposed how many meetings could have been emails all along.
Derek_1997
4 years ago
I use my old commute time for morning yoga now. Such a better start to the day!
GoodVibesOnly
4 years ago
The article should mention the importance of a good chair. My back problems disappeared after investing in proper office furniture.
Brooklyn_Murphy
4 years ago
I found the perfect balance by going to a local coffee shop twice a week. Helps with the isolation while keeping the benefits of remote work.
Thrive-With-Joy
4 years ago
The flexibility is amazing but it requires serious self-discipline. Not everyone is cut out for it.
FuturisticSoul
4 years ago
Working from home has been great for my mental health. No more anxiety-inducing commutes or office politics.
CarolineZ
4 years ago
Never leaving the house is a real concern. Some days I realize I haven't stepped outside in 48 hours.
SelahX
4 years ago
I've saved so much money on lunch expenses alone. No more expensive takeout or cafe lunches.
Ella
4 years ago
The bit about saving on office expenses is spot on. Our company closed the physical office and everyone got a home office stipend instead.
EpicExplorer
4 years ago
Anyone else find themselves talking to their pets during video calls when muted? No? Just me then...
Zara_Twilight
4 years ago
My work-life balance has improved dramatically. I actually get to have dinner with my family every night now.
Renata99
4 years ago
The article neglects to mention the impact on career progression. It's harder to network and get noticed when working remotely.
FitAndFueled
4 years ago
Not sure about the never regretting it part. Some days I feel so isolated I would give anything to be back in an office.
FitnessWithIntention
4 years ago
Working remotely has allowed me to move to a smaller town with lower cost of living. Best decision ever.
Madison-Perry
4 years ago
I started baking bread during my lunch breaks. Try doing that in a traditional office!
Brooklyn_R
4 years ago
I agree with the post above. The key is having a proper setup and routine. Once you nail that, it's amazing how much you can get done.
Brooke
4 years ago
My productivity has actually increased since working from home. No more chatty coworkers interrupting me every 5 minutes!
Caleb_1993
4 years ago
The part about becoming a workaholic is so true. I find myself checking emails at 10 PM just because my laptop is right there.
Willow_Symphony
4 years ago
This article makes it sound too rosy. Let's be real, some days I don't even change out of my pajamas until noon.
IoneX
4 years ago
100% agree about having a dedicated workspace. It's a game-changer for productivity and mental health.
Eva
4 years ago
I actually disagree about the stress levels being lower. Trying to work with kids running around during school holidays is way more stressful than any office environment.
Flourish-And_Thrive_101
4 years ago
The savings are nice but my electricity bill has gone through the roof since working from home. They don't mention that part.
Amelia-Claire
4 years ago
While I love remote work, I find myself working longer hours than I did at the office. Anyone else struggle with setting boundaries?
Zoe_Waves
4 years ago
That point about not having your office in your bedroom really resonates with me. I learned that lesson the hard way. Now I can't relax in my own bedroom!
CyberNinja
4 years ago
The article makes great points but I miss the social interaction of an office. Video calls just aren't the same as catching up with colleagues by the coffee machine.
Vanessa_Light
4 years ago
I've been working from home for 2 years now and couldn't agree more about the savings. My monthly expenses have dropped significantly without the daily commute.