AD- This is a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.
I’ve seen a lot of social media posts and articles over the past couple of months that talk about the negatives of working from home, including opinions that remote work is “sad” or “unfulfilling”.
Now, that definitely might be the case for some people- and working from home is not to everyone’s taste.
I turned to freelance work just under a year ago, and remote working has certainly taken some getting used to.
However, is working from home really so bad?
In this blog post, I want to present a balanced view of working from home. From improved flexibility to loneliness, I want to look at the positives and negatives of remote working.
Although freelancing is different to a remote office job or other role, for example, the tenants of remote working are very similar- and we all face the same ups and down.
If you’re considering working from home, or you want to make a change, I hope this post can help you understand a balanced view of this unique experience.
The positives of working from home
You can work from anywhere!
One of the big positives of working from home is that you don’t have to work from home- you can work from anywhere!
You could set yourself up in a café for the day, or move to a new location without it affecting the quality or practicalities of your work.
I even know some remote workers who head abroad and fit travel into their schedule.
It’s a great opportunity to get productive in other locations, not just the same office building.
It works around childcare or other responsibilities
Working from home has many benefits for parents or care-givers, allowing work to fit around important responsibilities.
This might not be the case for everyone, but I know a few bloggers and other remote workers who use working from home to manage their career around their children.
At the end of the day, working from home is a great way to have a bit more flexibility in your job, and this is perfect for those who need to maintain a healthy work/life balance.
You have access to more opportunities
As someone who lives in the North of England, it can be quite demoralising to only see job postings for London.
Remote working allows people from anywhere to apply for a job without moving from their home or committing to a long commute.
This means workers get access to more opportunities- and employers can expand their circle, rather than just accepting applications from those who are geographically suited to the job.
For example, if you want to work as an online translator, you don’t have to move to London or another big city.
You can complete your interpreting or translating services remotely, and more and more people can access the same great opportunities.
You have time to fit in other tasks
If you work from home, it is easier to fit in other tasks around your work.
For example, you don’t have to get home from work to change before you go to the gym- you can just switch off your laptop and get going!
You also have more flexibility to:
- Meet friends during your lunch break
- Eat whatever snacks you want
- Read your book during the day
- Watch some TV on your break
- Go for a walk
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Run a few errands!
The negatives of working from home
It’s harder to socialise
One of the big negatives of working from home is the lack of socialisation.
For me, I need to have a bit of interaction with other people- even it’s just a quick chat in the morning.
My partner often works from home too, so that allows me to socialise during the day, or I can head to a café or go out for lunch with my friends and family.
However, it’s definitely one of the downsides of remote working- and it can be a sticking point for some people!
Your home is your workspace
For many people, that separation between home and work is so important.
If you work from home, your home is also your workspace, and so the lines between work and relaxation time can become blurred.
This causes burn-out and stress for many people, so it’s important to create clear boundaries if you decide to choose a remote position.
You end up doing house jobs!
If you’re at home all the time, it can be hard not to notice all the mess that piles up during the week!
Instead of working, you might feel the need to clean your living space, run an errand or sort out the laundry.
However, if you work in an office, this mess won’t bother you until you get home- and you can focus solely on the task in hand.
People expect you to be around all the time
Working from home can sometimes make others think you’ll be available in the house all day.
This means you might end up waiting in for parcels or you might get interrupted by the doorbell when you’re trying to work.
If you’ve seen the hilarious comedy Motherland, you’ll know that this is the exact issue Julia faces when she first turns to freelance work!
So, is working from home really so bad?
At the end of the day, whether you like working from home or not will depend from person to person.
If you like to be at home with the kids, but you still want to work, working from home is a new option that allows you to have a little more flexibility throughout your day.
However, if you want to meet new people and you thrive on socialisation, you might want to work in the office more often than not.
I disagree that those who work from home are any less productive– or any less unhappy- than those who work in-person. It really just depends on your needs, and what you want from your work.
If you do work from home, it’s important to make it work for you– and consider going into the office if you start to feel isolated or unproductive.
Do you work from home? Do you like the idea of working from home? Would you like to work from home at some point?
Let me know all your thoughts in the comments 🙂
Happy reading x
Not-So-Modern Girl 
My son works from home and a big advantage is the closeness he has with his children since he is a stay at home dad who also works a job. There is a childcare person to take care of the children while he works, but he is always there for cuddles, appointments and just to be there for the kids.
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That’s great! I think there are definitely lots of advantages for certain situations 🙂 thank you for reading and commenting x
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I love working from home! I wish I had been doing it longer! I habe a separate work space and once my day is done then I don’t log back on!!!
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That’s so important! You need to create those boundaries. So glad you enjoy it x
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I’ve been working from home for 6 or so years now, there are DEFINITELY lots of pros and cons. Sometimes, one outweighs the other and that’s fine too. Great post!
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Thank you Jenny! Yes, I think it can depend from day to day- as well as person to person. Thanks for commenting x
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Great post 🙂 When I was working from home during the first lockdown when schools were closed, I couldn’t really work because I was always needed. I also get less done because there are so many distractions! but on balance I think I’d prefer to work from home and that’s partly why I’m aiming for a writing career.
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That makes sense! Yes I think distractions are one of the reasons why people like to head to an office. Thank you for reading and commenting x
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I can see how working from home won’t be great for everyone but I do feel that it’s the type of situation that you have to consciously decide (and take action) to make the most of the experience — mostly just finding what will work for you. This was a really great breakdown of key info — thanks!
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Thank you! I hope the post can help people who need to make that decision. I completely agree- you need to commit to making it work for you, if you want to fully take advantage of it x
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I thought I hated working from home until lockdown forced me to move out of the office. I love the balance of being able to be more flexible, have more time, manage child/family life, and get house chores down and food prepped at lunch. But I do miss the people, and am going to start going back into the office more regularly. I also think the downside is that for finding a new job, it can be harder as you’re competing against hundreds more people vs only locals!
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That’s such a good point, it definitely opens you up to more competition 🙂 I think a balance is super important, and it seems like there are lots of benefits of both for you. Thank you for reading and commenting x
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I can definitely see the pros and cons of WFH. I like to go out to work as I don’t think I could stay in the house constantly, but I wouldn’t mind WFH a few days a week and going out to the office etc for a couple! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
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I think a balance is always important- and you can definitely get sick of your house after a while! Thank you for sharing Lucy x
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I think for a long time, I had such an idealised version of working from home, but that has definitely changed since lockdown. I do a job that can’t be done from home at all and I’m actually really happy with that, I think I would get sooo distracted at home! But I can understand the appeal of working in your own space too. Thank you for this post! x
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I think it definitely can be hard to focus at home, you have to come up with a very strict routine! Thank you so much for reading and commenting Em x
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I was working hybrid for many years before we had a word for it. When I switched to full-time work from home in 2020, it was an easy transition. I am still working from home full time and have no desire to return to the office. I’m definitely more productive and the time I save commuting lets me get out for a walk, or do a workout in the morning.
I think the key to making it work is being disciplined. You need to stay focused, but you also need to be disciplined enough to shut down and leave your desk at the end of the day.
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That’s such a good point about the commute, especially if you don’t live that near to where you work or you want to do other activities, such as working out. Yes, you have to have a strict routine in place and find ways to make it work for you- both in your work and personal life. Thank you for sharing Michelle!
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I have worked in an office, and from home, and ideally I’d have a combination of the two. A few days in the office and a few from home per week.
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I think a balance is super important too! Thank you for sharing Michelle x
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As an introvert, working at home is always good for me. I can work better and have less distractions. Most important it keeps me always from toxic gossipers. Hahaha.
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I think if you have a toxic workplace then working from home can definitely help, that’s a great point! Thank you for reading and sharing your experiences x
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This post really hones in on some of the truths about WFH! Thank you!
Keifer | https://administrationanonymous.wordpress.com/
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Thank you so much- and thank you for sharing too x
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I absolutely love working from home, even as an extrovert. I don’t miss commuting, I save money and I get to sleep longer.
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That’s amazing! I’m so glad it works for you. I think as long as you have time with people/socialisation during your week- inside or outside of work- then it’s all good 🙂 x
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A really useful post, especially since I aim to be working from home eventually myself. I have friends who work from home, love it and have been incoraging me, so it was nice to read this and get an unbiased and independent look at the pros and cons.
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Thank you! I hope it was helpful 🙂 I think it’s important to consider a balance- it certainly doesn’t work for everyone, but there are lots of pros and cons to think about x
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I would loveeeee to work from home! I feel like it would save me a ton of money (lunch wise, coffee wise and travel wise) plus give me more time with my kids. Great article!
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I think saving money is such a great point! Thank you for sharing. Time with your kids sounds so important x
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I love working from home! Being at home is my favourite thing anyway and I’d pick it over going out any day!
Corinne x
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I’m so glad it works for you Corinne. There are definitely lots of pros! x
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I can definitely relate to the pros and cons of working from home. It is definitely not as glamorous as it is always made out to be! Thank you for reading and commenting.
Lauren
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Thank you Lauren! Yes, that’s so true haha- neither is freelancing, but there are definitely lots of pros and cons. Thank you so much for sharing x
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I’ve been a homeworker for nearly 14 years and it certainly hasn’t harmed my productivity, nor my career opportunities. I prefer the peace and quiet of home to a busy office, I find I get a lot more done. Plus I work 4 full days a week and take Friday out to visit friends and family, so that balance works well for me 🙂
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That’s great Lisa! I think having that balance can be so important, especially if you have other responsibilities or just things you want to do with your time 🙂 thank you for sharing x
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I believe the pandemic truly showed us all how much work can be done remotely rather than in the stuffy office everyone used to work in.
You don’t really need to be in an office to do the majority of office based work these days – especially the kind which makes absolutely zero difference to the world as we know it! 😂😂
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Yes that’s very true! Haha I think employers and employees have realised that work can be completed anywhere- and I think that’s definitely a positive and a negative. Thank you for reading and commenting Sarah x
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You’ve shared such wonderful pros and cons for working from home. There’s definitely more flexibility working from home and like you mentioned, you can even set up anywhere like a local cafe! I think it just takes a bit of discipline but other than that, you aren’t any less productive. Thanks for sharing!
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Yes, I love setting up in my local café 🙂 there are definitely ups and downs of the experience. Thank you for reading and commenting x
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I would love to work from home if I could. You’ve raised some good points both for and against but it is definitely something I’d like to try.
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Thank you! I hope you get the chance to try it out at some point x
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I admire you for going for it and working from home full time. Having done a little work from home, I am definitely aiming for the same.
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Thank you so much Jamie! Best of luck reaching this goal in 2023
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Great, thorough post on the pros and cons of working from home. I think it’s good that you’ve shown how there are positives and negatives, and that different personality types should also be considered.
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Thank you 🙂 Yes, I think there are a few things to consider about working from home x
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