Since the COVID-19 pandemic caused various people to begin working from home, many are already no stranger to the remote work environment. Over a year into this setup, some may be seeking ways to return to the typical office setting, while others may have realized that this arrangement is preferable for them.
The reality is simply that remote work is not for everyone. However, more than just not having to dress up and clock in for work in the morning, working from home still offers unique benefits for the busy adult. If you weigh your options and decide if remote work is right for you, it helps to remember the freedom and convenience it offers.
Remote Work Offers Many Savings
Working from home gets you a lot of savings, and we don’t just mean financially. You save both money and time by opting to work remotely.
- It saves you money
You subtract many expenses from your budget when you work from home. Firstly, you do not need to go out and spend on your coffee, snacks, and lunches anymore. Being at home encourages you to cook your own meals, thus minimizing costs for takeouts.
You also travel less than you usually would if you had to go to and from work every day. This reduces the budget you have to allot for commuting, including money for gas, public transport, parking fees, and vehicle repair and maintenance.
In many ways, working in the comfort and safety of your home offers the best of both worlds. You can freely look forward to receiving payment checks in the mail when you have fewer overhead expenses to factor into your monthly budget.
- It saves you time
Have you ever wondered how much time you spend on the road just trying to get from point A to point B? A 2019 study from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute says that commuters spend around 54 hours of their lives a year in traffic. That means you lose two whole days of your year just because of your commute.
When you work from home, you spare yourself the worries of rush hours and road congestion. You can schedule client meetings without having to factor in travel time and other activities.
Remote Work Offers Flexibility
Working from home gives you the freedom that full-time onsite employment cannot provide.
- You decide your schedule
When you work from home, you usually have no strict work hours to adhere to. You can structure your day as you see fit and rearrange it according to the personal tasks you must attend to for the day.
For instance, if you are a night owl who prefers doing work-related deliverables in the evenings, you are free to do so and still get the sleep you need for the next workday. You can comfortably plug in workout sessions, house chores, and even power naps into your schedule without worrying about making it to your next meeting.
You can use project management tools and time tracking apps to keep a record of your commitments for the day and make sure you are making steady progress on them every day.
- You can work from anywhere
Just because you are on a work-from-home setup does not mean you strictly have to work at home. Remote work lets you bring tasks anywhere in which you have access to the internet and your work files. That means working from your local coffee shop, a co-working space, and even the beach or a hotel in a different country.
This helps promote productivity, as you can manipulate your surroundings to boost your mood and enhance concentration. Just imagine working while being surrounded by the pretty flowers in your garden—more ideal than a plain office cubicle, right?
- You avoid workplace formalities
Working onsite with a full-time job gives you the responsibility of maintaining good relationships with your coworkers and superiors. With likable colleagues, this is not an issue.
However, onsite work setups also expose you to stiff small talk with officemates. This may not be the most comfortable experience, especially if you are an introvert. Working from home eliminates these awkward conversations because remote coworkers usually contact each other for work-related inquiries.
Remote Work Challenges You to Grow
Sure, working from home offers ease and comfort, but it also pushes you to grow in new ways. It teaches you independence and responsibility since it gives you opportunities to make smart decisions. Doing so prioritizes not just your career growth but also your mental and physical well-being.