The Pros
1. Flexibility in Schedule:
One of the best things about working from home is having control over your time. You can schedule doctor’s appointments without worrying about getting approval or taking time off, and you can easily drop off or pick up your kids when needed. This flexibility is a game-changer for balancing personal responsibilities.
2. Comfort and Less Social Pressure:
For those with social anxiety, working from home is a relief. The lack of face-to-face interactions makes it easier to focus without the stress of constant social engagement. Being in the comfort of your own space helps manage anxiety, and you don’t have to worry about how you come across to colleagues in real-time.
3. Privacy and Freedom:
One of the perks of remote work is the ability to take small breaks without anyone noticing. Whether you need a power nap to recharge or just want a moment of quiet, you can do so without anyone checking in on you. It’s nice to be able to manage your energy levels without feeling judged.
4. Cost Savings:
Some say it’s cost-saving… with no commute, you save on travel costs, whether fuel, public transport, or vehicle maintenance. You also save on work clothes, daily lunches, and other expenses from working in an office. But then again, you are home all the time, and spend more on coffee, tea, water, electricity, and toilet paper 🙂
The Cons
1. Lack of Team Connection:
While other colleagues may also work from home, many of them live within 20 minutes of each other, building stronger relationships through regular in-person meetups. In your case, living 200 km away means you only meet the team once or twice a year, missing out on that team-building dynamic. With anxiety and the long travel distance, you often skip meetings, which can make you feel even more disconnected from the group.
2. Frequent Distractions:
Working from home comes with a host of distractions. Between kids needing attention, household chores, and the comfort of your space making you want to relax, staying productive is often a challenge. The temptation to watch TV or take breaks more often can reduce work efficiency.
3. Over-reliance on Home Cooking:
With limited healthy takeaway options, cooking becomes a daily task. While it’s nice to control what you eat, it can get exhausting, especially if greasy takeout leads to health issues like acid reflux. Cooking every meal adds to the mental load of managing a home.
4. Wardrobe Neglect:
Spending most of your time at home means your wardrobe becomes more casual. When you do need to go out, you might realize you don’t have the right clothes, making social outings or events a little more stressful.
5. Fewer Spontaneous Breaks:
Without a natural office environment to break up the day, it’s easy to sit at your desk for long hours without movement. You might feel less inclined to take spontaneous trips outside, leading to longer stretches of sedentary work.
Conclusion
Working from home in IT brings great flexibility and comfort, especially for those managing social anxiety or balancing personal and professional responsibilities. However, it also comes with its challenges, like distractions, blurred boundaries, and feeling disconnected from the team. Finding ways to separate work from personal life and creating opportunities to connect with colleagues can help maintain a balance in the remote work lifestyle.
How to keep fit while working at home, I’ll share some other day 🙂
What is your expierence while working from home – maybe you had to work from home in epidemic Covid-19..?
Ilze
Discover more from a day in the life of a latvian mom
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
a day in the life of a latvian mom 
I think you captured the pros and cons of working from home perfectly, Ilze. The pandemic has changed how people around the globe work.
I think it is for the better too. When riding my bike I pass through or by office complexes that have huge parking areas that are now 99% empty.
I understand your cons too, it makes perfect sense that your kiddos can be a big distraction but they don’t mean to be rude, right? Kids are kids wherever they live. I love your cat, so pretty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, John! Marley is truly the best cat ever! We’ve had him for 8 years now, and he’s been amazing—always gentle, never scratching without warning, and a fantastic mouse and bird catcher. He’s the sweetest companion we could ask for! How was your diet?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, that is so wonderful! I love cats but have a pet-free home. I went to the grocer again today and picked up more low sodium and fat-free foods. I had a dandy salad for lunch, so delicious! I am enjoying the new diet and losing weight too. Thank you for asking, Ilze, you are a very kind woman! 🙏🏻❤️😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is nice! Don’t forget you still need the good fat! I made this mistake when I cut down fat… sometimes I think all we can eat is carboard 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cardboard, it’s very dry! 😂 Right, the good fat and the good cholesterol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good carbohydrates and good water 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yesss! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great overview of the pros and cons. My kids were older when I worked from home 20 years ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Honestly, my company is fully remote, so we don’t have a physical office. We meet every couple of months, but I often skip those because life, renovations, and everything else tend to get in the way!
LikeLiked by 2 people
A well balanced view. I worked from home as a therapist for quite some years. I needed to balance this with family life. Because I was face to face with my clients I needed to care about how I was dressed 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that’s definitely not for me! 🙂 I only have occasional Zoom meetings where they can see me, and even that feels like a lot sometimes. I’m not much of a fashion person—I love wearing weird clothes or terrible patterns! Who was in charge of your wardrobe duties, like washing and ironing?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me
LikeLiked by 2 people
Amazing! I can’t do it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You post rings true! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I’m glad it resonated with you! What part stood out the most for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your blog. You say things clearly. One thought though- attachment is fine, it is the absolute requirement for love, either through physical proximity or through mental surrender. When you are not physically close you need to fulfill love through mental rememberance and surrender. This is called total attachment through total detachment, it may be tough but you may still get what I’m trying to convey.
LikeLike
Great post! I totally know this type of work (IT) and experience— in my life— every point you mentioned in your article. As I read it, I felt as though you had written it about my life 😅
Great job 🙌🏽
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! It’s always great to hear when someone can relate to what I’ve written. The struggles (and perks) of working in IT definitely connect us all in unexpected ways 😅. I’m glad the post resonated with you! 🙌🏽
LikeLiked by 1 person