In February this year I changed roles and mentioned I was working from home full time. At the time I asked for advice from those who had transistioned from office life, and highlighted some of the expected benefits and challenges which may come about from this change.
Since February I have noticed some key advantages of working from home:
Saving time
Saving money
Experiencing less stress.
The concept of working from home, once a rarity, has become a significant part of modern work culture. With technological advancements and changing perspectives on productivity, remote work has shown substantial benefits for both employees and employers.
Saving Time
One of the most immediate benefits of working from home is the time saved on commuting. In traditional work settings, employees often spend an hour or more each day traveling to and from the office. This not only eats into personal time but also contributes to fatigue and decreased productivity.
By eliminating the need for commuting, remote work allows employees to reclaim valuable hours each day. This time has been redirected towards more productive activities, such as completing additional work tasks, exercising, pursuing hobbies, or spending quality time with my family. I literally get to personal admin, working on my sidehustles, or simply relaxing, right up until my start time. I love it.
Saving Money
Working from home has lead to some decent cost savings. Commuting expenses, such as petrol, car insurance and vehicle maintenance, quickly added up. Additionally, work-related costs like purchasing work attire, eating out for lunch, and even that cup of coffee every so often from the cafe are reduced or eliminated when working remotely.
My normal fuel cost per month was roughly £200, it is now down to about £80. We have got rid of a car, so ongoing costs have significantly reduced, along with being able to stick £5000 into savings.
Less Stress
I have found that remote work offers a less stressful environment compared to traditional office settings. The elimination of daily commutes reduces the physical and mental strain associated with my normal drive into work, the hassle of trying to find a parking spot was ridiculous. This change alone has reduced my stress.
Moreover, my home environment is created to my preference, contributing to increased comfort and productivity.
Flexibility in remote work also means I can take short breaks when needed, reducing the risk of burnout. The ability to balance work and personal responsibilities more effectively can lead to higher job satisfaction and improved mental health.
I can simply do small life admin tasks during the day, meaning my out of work time can be spent with the family, something which was more difficult when I was in an office.
I also do not get involved in other peoples drama, both work and personal. I don't take that burden and don't get sucked into hearing about all the issues people are dealing with.
For balance, I think the stress is also reduced because the work is generally less stressful, which obviously helps. But all the points above definately help as well.
The Social Aspect: A Potential Con
While the benefits of working from home are numerous, there are some potential downsides, particularly in the realm of social interaction. Traditional office environments offer daily face-to-face interactions with colleagues, fostering a sense of community and teamwork. Remote work can lead to feelings of isolation and reduced opportunities for spontaneous collaboration and socialising.
However, it's worth noting that many employees do not typically socialise with colleagues outside of work hours. I certainly didn't massively have a close group of friends created by work. I also realised that once I left my previous jobs, although I still kept in touch with past colleagues, I would not count them as friends. So whenever I leave this role, I don't feel like I will be in a different position at all.
Final thoughts
The benefits of working from home—saving time, saving money, and reducing stress—have substantially contributed to a more balanced and fulfilling work-life experience for me. While the social aspect of remote work presents challenges, the overall advantages massively outweigh this.
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