Working from home has its benefits – no doubt. From no commute to flexibility, productivity and convenience. It has become ever more popular and common since COVID. It may not be for everybody though. Depending on who you ask they may love it. As someone who has worked remotely before, I prefer going into an office and seeing people in person.
Feeling Disconnected and Isolated
When I lived in Georgia, I worked remotely 2-3 days a week due to a long commute. Though it saved me from a long drive, I felt disconnected from the company and my coworkers. Perhaps with today’s regular Zoom and Teams meetings, staying connected is easier. At the time, I didn’t feel like I knew what was going on or what happened when I was out. Maybe it was a case of FOMO (fear of missing out)?
Then after I got laid off (from a different job), I worked from home as a freelancer for many years. Granted, working remotely doesn’t mean you have to work from home. There are places you can work out of, like Starbucks or Panera, allowing for some interpersonal interaction. Still, working remotely felt isolating, even for an introvert like me. While working from home offers flexibility and convenience, I like the routine of going into an office.
Fortunately, the company I currently work for is considered an essential business. It has remained open while a lot of companies shut down because of COVID. While many of my coworkers telecommuted, I continued to go in. Since I have my own office and a short commute, I didn’t mind. I appreciated the sense of normalcy going into the office gave me amid uncertainty.
A Sense of Community
My friend and I talked about the sense of community that is important to our health and wellness. Having a sense of belonging along with some level of interaction with others is vital to our overall wellbeing.
With the shutdowns and restrictions of the pandemic, many were (and still are) isolated from friends and family. Not to mention students forced into online learning instead of being in the same room as their peers. How might this impact them and their mental health – especially children in their crucial developmental years?
I also feel bad for those who are homebound and live alone. Staying connected via texts, emails, phone calls, video chat, etc., doesn’t replace physical interaction. For me, going into work gives me that sense of community and belonging.
There are people that truly enjoy working remotely and are successful at it. That’s not to say I wouldn’t or couldn’t work from home occasionally. I just wouldn’t want to work from home every day.
