Pros and Cons of Working from Home

 July 26, 2023, Wednesday
9:48 a.m, PH time

This is turning out to be a slow week  for me. Can't believe it is only Wednesday but I have been in weekend mode since yesterday, most probably because I have my period. As I woke up with little or almost no desire to get up; in fact I want to go straight back to sleep...I felt grateful for the privilege to stay in bed as I please (even for just a few minutes). It dawned on me that a huge reason why this is possible is because I am working remotely. Still, there are moments when i sorely missed working on-site. As I  further reflect on this, I realized that working from home (if possible depending on your job) is really not for everybody. Here are some of my realizations.

Pros and Cons of Working from Home 

 

Pros/Positive Side/ Advantages/Benefits

I own my time.
Let's face it, working on-site can consume you. If you are not careful, it can comprise your whole life, take over your whole existence. Freelancing is precious because of the freedom that flexibility gives. It really opens a big window for work-life balance.

I can take care of my kids better.
Remote work is dream come true for parents. Most especially for mothers who want to be hands-on with their kids but also want to earn some moolah. I used to hire nannies to be able to work but sad to say, not many show real care and concern for my kids.

I can say goodbye to traffic/commuting woes.
This is something I would never miss about working on-site. Even if I like traveling from home to office, the idea of waiting for hours just to catch a bus ride is a turn-off. 

Cons/Negative Side/Disadvantages/Hassles

There are days I feel isolated.
Some officemates can be annoying and even serve as a distraction. But  you will kind of miss them when you are sitting alone on your desk with no one to even share the weather news. In this regard, it may help to stay in touch with friends and family members - thankfully, it is now easy to do that online.

Irregular/inconsistent workload.
Unless you have a regular client, being a freelancer means you are not sure if there will be a paycheck coming at the end of the month. There are times when projects pour but there are days when you have nothing to do. For this reason, freelancing is not the best option if you are a breadwinner and have no other steady sources of income.

It is quite easy to look outdated.
You may buy some posh attire that may sit on your closet for too long, you soon forget about it. All because you rarely go out now. With the freedom to work on your pajamas, you may simply lose some fashion sense or may find it too tiring to put on some make-up. So those work-from-home moms out there, do remember to put some effort on self-care. Stay as hot as ever.

You are on your own.
You need to be very independent as a remote worker because you usually have to take matters into your own hands. You need to keep track of your tasks, take care of your invoices, raise your concerns, etc.  With most not getting any work-related benefits, you should also do your own research in case you want to receive it.