What It's Really Like Working From Home

The Pros & Cons of Working From Home

“What is it really like working from home? Do you ever get lonely?” I probably get asked these two questions at least once a week. For all of you that are seeking to find that flexible job which enables you to work from home every now and then, or if you’re wanting to pull the trigger and be your own boss – below is a cumulation of my top 20 pros and cons of working from home.

PROS:

1.) Commute

• Facing the Austin traffic every morning and night took a good 1.5 hours out of my average workday. Being in bumper to bumper traffic each and every day really put a toll on me and my car.

2.) Save Time

• Not commuting to work saves me roughly 8 hours a week, plus I no longer have to get ready each morning! Being able to invest this time back into my business and myself has been one of the biggest pros of working from home.

3.) Save money

• Based on the previous statements, I no longer am buying corporate clothes (can I get an Amen!) and paying for gas each week. The amount of money you can save, whether you are starting your own business or if you are working for an employer, can be exponential.  

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4.) The To-Do List

• I’m type A, so this may not pertain to many of you. I love being able to do laundry or cook a good slow-cooker meal throughout the day. Having to think about cleaning and cooking after work was always so daunting and stressful for me, so this has been a gigantic relief. This can become a con (see below), so you have to be cautious not to get side-tracked. I feel if you are able to accomplish your job first and foremost, then it is okay to workout or run that errand when you want.

5.) Tax Advantages

• If you utilize a dedicated home office exclusively and regularly for business purposes, there is a possibility you may be able to deduct a portion of your home-related expenses, such as mortgage interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and certain utilities. 

6.) Healthier Setting

• Working from home has been a healthier change for me for several reasons. I sit far less than my cubicle job as I have the freedom to go on more walks and work out on my own watch. Also, because I am home, I am able to do a better job with meal prep (and no office donuts to tempt me!).

7.) Work / Life Balance

• Because of the time and money saved, I feel like I have been able to devote more of my time to my family and friends. Although there are many incidences that I may actually be working more, because I am typically always at home, I am closer to my loved ones.       

8.) Less Stress

• Working from home has decreased a significant amount of stress for me. I no longer am surrounded by bright lights, hammering keyboards, and loud phone calls. There is no boss that can hover over me and ask me for updates. I have created my own work setting and can alternate it to my liking.     

9.) Comfortability

• Many people assume that when you work from home that you’re working from your bed. I honestly have never done this before. However, if you want to be in workout clothes or your PJs, that’s completely fine! If you aren’t feeling your best, you can make hot tea and bundle up on your couch. This has been a gigantic work perk as I never have been a fan of putting on makeup every day.

10.) Autonomy

• When I was with my previous employer, I was allowed to have one work from home day each week. Rather than having to do mundane tasks in the office, I felt like I had much more freedom to do things on my own time which gave me more confidence in myself and my work. Whether you are your own boss or under someone’s watch, being able to allocate your time to what matters can be very beneficial. I felt that I actually accomplished more when I worked from home versus in the office.

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CONS:

1.) Loneliness

• Not having coworkers to greet you in the morning or talk to you about weekend plans can be challenging for many. Although you may have phone calls, not having face-to-face interaction can definitely be one of the hardest things to overcome for people working from home.

2.) Hard to switch off

• Switching off of business and clocking out has been one of my greatest challenges of working from home. Part of this is because I am now my own boss, so I feel like the to-do list is never-ending. However, it is pertinent to anyone working from home to find boundaries and know when your workday is over.

3.) Productivity / Motivation

• If you are someone that needs a higher figure to push and motivate you, then working from home may be difficult. Many people need someone to check-in with them periodically, and you do not receive this type of attention when at home.  discipline is key when working from home.

Photography by Kayla Snell

4.) Distractions

• Along with being self-motivated, there are many distractions that you will have to refrain from. Whether that be catching up on a tv show or being tempted to be outside on a pretty day, you will have to learn how to be self-disciplined and focus.

5.) Collaboration

• Sure, Facetime exists now, but not being present in meetings can sometimes be a disadvantage as you may miss certain agenda items or comments that you would’ve heard had you been in-person. If you are self-employed, not having anyone to collaborate with can be a struggle.

6.) Living Space

• My work has taken over our house, and this has definitely been a problem at times. It’s best to really try to keep your work in a separate area – especially to keep your work and life as separated as possible.

7.) Expenses & Work Perks

• While many employers will pay for some at-home expenses, things like free food/drinks/toiletries are all amenities that you don’t typically receive when working from home. We would have many happy hours and dinners that the company would pay for and you do not receive such treatment when at home.

8.) Corporate Disconnect

• Not being in a professional work environment could cause you to miss out on more learning opportunities and the lack of team bonding.

9.) Reputation

• Many people assume that because I work from home, that I am able to grab lunch or coffee or run errands whenever. I strive to work from 8 to 5 and make that known so that people don’t step over me. Many a times you’ll receive comments that you don’t have a real job or that you can do anything whenever you want, but quite the contrary.

• If you are working for an employer, you will also have to constantly be proving that you are capable of working from home and not needing anyone to tell you what to do.

10.) Lack of Professionalism:

• There are many studies that claim that you should make your bed and get dressed in the morning before you begin your day working from home. I have found that the days that I stay in my pjs too long, I tend to get lazier and less work is done. If you are someone that needs to be on the phone a lot and also have children or pets at home, it is advised to work in a separate vicinity.

Until next time,

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To see more about what inspires CoCo, check-out her Instagram page at @cocozentner_art!