At some point, you’ve probably fantasized about quitting your 9-to-5 and going out on your own. After 8 years of working in a traditional job, I was ready to make the switch to work-from-home entrepreneur in early 2019. My business partner, Emma, had worked this way for years and raved about the benefits of working from home.
If you’re curious about the “WFH” lifestyle, a dedicated reddit thread, countless blog posts, and fellow WFHers will have sage advice for you on the topic. But, no matter how well-intentioned these people are, their experiences might not hold true for you. In this post, I’m sharing a few of the things that surprised me most when I first started working from home.
When I first started working from home, I was excited about having so much more free time. Without a commute (more on that later) and without random people dropping by my desk, I thought I’d have an extra hour or two each day. For the first few weeks, I behaved accordingly. I didn’t pay attention to the clock; I simply did whatever felt right in the moment. It was amazing – but I quickly realized that I had more than enough work to fill a 40-hour week.
Starting a business means there’s always something to work on. While I’m not any less busy than I was before, I’m busy with better things. Instead of spending time sitting in meetings or playing office politics, I’m spending time growing our business, serving clients, learning new skills, and taking care of myself and my home.
You know the joke about the “work from home” employee who doesn’t put on pants for video chats? Don’t be that person. There’s a middle ground when it comes to your work from home wardrobe. I’ll be honest – on meeting-free days, I’ll shamelessly wear pajamas all day. After nearly a decade of getting dressed and made up for work, it feels liberating – and I’m SO comfortable! Wearing leggings and a tank top must boost productivity due to extreme comfort, right?
But, I also love when I have client meetings and get to break out my work clothes. There are some days when I actually want to put them on, even if I don’t have a meeting! There’s nothing like 4 straight days of sweatpants to make you long for the structure of a skirt and blouse.
Blissfully, most of the time, I’m spared from the morning rush and evening slog through traffic. I love spending what used to be my “commute time” walking my dog, Lily, instead. (Pro tip: going for a walk is a great way to create a barrier between “home time” and “work time.”)
But, there are still plenty of days when I’m running all over to meet with clients, attend a networking event, or participate in a training session. If you want to be involved in the community or meet with clients, you’re still going to be spending some time commuting.
I dread going to Costco on weekends when you have to practically elbow your way through hordes of suburbanite families. So, I shop there on weekday mornings when it’s practically empty. On those days, I work later at night or carry some work into the weekend. I’m happy to do it, because I’m saving time and frustration while getting my work and errands done.
I don’t recommend always working late or on weekends, because burnout can be a very real thing! But, if doing it now and then lets me enjoy a weekday lunch with a friend or hit the gym while it’s not crowded, I’m all for it. Sometimes it’s more stressful to try to cram your work schedule into a 9-to-5 day.
When I take a short break from a project, I tend to tidy up my home without even thinking about it. Instead of spending a few minutes in the breakroom chatting with coworkers, I might unload the dishwasher or start some laundry.
Having access to a full kitchen makes it easy to prepare a quick home-cooked meal for lunch. It really doesn’t take that long, and I can even chop veggies on a brainstorming call with my business partner. As a result, my home is tidier and I’m going through fewer processed frozen dinners and packaged foods. Plus, I’m not tempted by anyone bringing donuts into the office!
When the topic of working from home comes up, loneliness sometimes accompanies it. For some, working remotely is a solitary and lonely experience – and for extroverts, it can be especially difficult. That said, I have to admit that it’s not really something I’ve struggled with. I’ve found that in my daily life, I encounter plenty of opportunities for human connection – through my business partner, clients, and subcontractors as well as my husband, friends, family, and random people out in the world.
I’m sure some work from home jobs are lonely, just as some people thrive on the energy of working in an office. But, for an “extroverted introvert” like me, working from home offers the solitude I crave to get work done, with plenty of opportunity for human interaction.
You might be surprised to learn I’ve never had a sip of alcohol while working from home. It’s not an issue of morality. After all, plenty of companies host Friday afternoon happy hours, and I’m sure my work wouldn’t suffer if I were to casually sip a beer as I sort through emails. Even my alma mater, the Goizueta Business School, hosts “kegs on the quad” networking events for students who are of drinking age.
Maybe it’s because I’m in my 30s, but most of the time, it just doesn’t really occur to me, and it doesn’t really appeal to me. Somehow, being able to work on your own terms makes vices like this feel less necessary. Maybe I’m missing out – but the only thing getting “lit” in my office are candles!
What would you miss most about working in an office? Which perks do you wish your office had? When you work from home, you have the freedom to create your own perks.
For instance – I’d always loved the idea of an office fridge stocked full of snacks and drinks. As a result, now I have a cute retro fridge in my home office that’s stocked full of La Croix, Coke Zero, Starbucks Doubleshots, San Pellegrino, and more. It’s truly a thing of beauty. Plus, with the gas money you’re saving from a daily commute, you may be able to afford little luxuries for your home office!
When you work from home, your cohabitors will inevitably have an effect on your work life. In my case, I live with my husband Justin and my dog Lily. Lily has been thrilled that I’m home all day to give her treats and belly rubs, and Justin has been an invaluable source of support. He also works from home occasionally, and we try to be conscientious of each other.
We take business calls in the office, we respect each other’s need for uninterrupted working time, and we keep our workspaces tidy. If you’re considering working from home and you live with others, it’s worth talking with them about expectations to make sure you’re prepared to support each other.
What I’ve learned from speaking with other entrepreneurs, telecommuters, and remote workers is that we all do it differently. Some people need the structure and routine of a remote working community, while others consider it an unnecessary expense. Many folks have told me they need a home office to keep their “work life” separate from their “home life,” while others are happy to camp out in their living room with a laptop. Some like having The Office streaming quietly in the background while they do data entry (ahem, me), while others prefer silence or music. At the end of the day, if you’re happy and you’re getting your work done, you’re doing exactly what you need to do.