Working Remotely: Insights Gained, Lessons Learned, Assumptions Confirmed

I've worked 100% remotely for over five years, and these thoughts frequently cross my mind. I've never written them all down or shared them publicly, so now is as good a time as any to do so. If you've worked remotely or currently are, I hope this resonates with you or even brings a smile to your face. If you haven't, these candid insights may be helpful should you ever find yourself in a remote work situation.

What I've Loved

1. Family Time: First and foremost, my son Max was born in late 2019, so having him nearby, especially during the first few years of his life, is something I'll cherish until the day I die.

2. Pet Life: We have two kitties (Timbit and Lilly) who have loved their food on demand. An additional job title I own is Culinary Servant. They're each getting older, and time's fleeting, so I value these moments. Yes, even every meow and bellow.

3. Workspace Investment: Properly investing in my workspace…a studio microphone, a conference microphone, an iMac, quality headphones, a work computer, suitable lighting, and sound barriers, was one of the best decisions I ever made. I have always been a focused individual with high output, but this has made me even more remarkably efficient. Invest in the input, and it will enhance your output. That's what I've always told others.

4. Flexible Schedule: People who know me well, or even just a little, understand that I work best without a strict 9-to-5 schedule, as I tend to feel inspired and creative at all hours of the day. Working remotely allows me to utilize this more frequently, often resulting in higher-quality work that I take greater pride in. While it usually means I tend to work significantly more, much of that choice is mine.

5. Mental Breaks: I immediately walk around the block whenever I feel overwhelmed. Quite a few individuals reading this likely know I did the same while working in the office and often joined me on those walks. It's healthy and productive and gives you a chance to breathe.

What's Been Challenging

1. Work-Life Separation: I struggle to downshift or “turn it off," so the separation between work and home life remains challenging. If you've ever watched the show Severance, which I adore, an individual such as myself could likely benefit from an Innie and Outie persona. This inability to "turn it off" usually leads to extended hours.

2. Time Zone Management: Having colleagues or customers across multiple time zones can further fuel that challenge of separation. If you're like me, you take great pride in always being available, but that's also not always fair to your family and friends.

3. Isolation: If you lack a strategy to address the lingering isolation you may experience, it will never improve. This is why I push myself to go out, even if it’s just to grab a coffee or make plans for the weekend.

4. Missing In-Person Connection: While I thoroughly enjoy my private time, friends, family, and colleagues usually refer to me as a charismatic individual who loves to make others smile and laugh. While there are video or audio chats, they don't quite translate the same way.

5. Family Dynamic: While I'm humbled and grateful to have such a great relationship with Max, all he has ever known is me working from home, which I've carefully explained, but I know he doesn't always love it. "Daddy, why do you work so much?" This has always been a cue for me to log off.

Additional Insights

Take Time Off: Like my parents, I've hardly taken any time off throughout my career, and most of what I did take was forced, for which I'm actually grateful. Your company or organization will undoubtedly manage if you’re away for a few days. Make sure to take time off and don't feel guilty about it.

Combat Self-Doubt: I've always been remarkably hard on myself because my expectations are high, but that little foe known as “doubt" will creep in more often than you expect. Be prepared to find strategies to combat doubt and silence it.

Consider Flex Space: If you're feeling really isolated, start looking into some flex space outside of your home where you can pop by once a week or even a few times a month to feel more human. I just started to plan for this, and it offered me something new to look forward to.

Self-Compassion: Most importantly, and what multiple friends and colleagues have told me, be kind to yourself. If you need a mental health day, take it. If you need to see a friend or desire a laugh, schedule a lunch during a less busy day. You deserve to feel whole, and even with the best intentions, working remotely can often make you feel less than.

Typically, during these candid moments, I lose followers, which doesn't concern me, but if just one person finds this post informative or relatable, that's all that matters.

You're not alone.