There’s long been a compelling case for working from home—even before social distancing made it essential. The idea isn’t new: remote work can actually be more efficient than traditional office setups.
These are challenging times. We miss seeing and hugging our families, socializing with friends, and simply getting out to interact with others. Life feels harder without these connections, and we all grapple with it. But associating “office life” with these essentials might stem from conditioning rather than necessity.
Of course, certain roles require close physical collaboration. In some industries, it’s frequent; in others, it happens monthly or rarely. Yet many companies mandate attendance for meetings or to access office supplies and equipment.
As someone who’s worked in various office environments and as an independent contractor setting my own schedule and workspace, I can attest: office norms often stem from corporate control and fear. Recall leaving early—did you feel eyes on your back? Is that dynamic healthy?
Offices mimic school hierarchies: peers as classmates, managers as authority figures with bigger offices and prime parking. Proximity enables oversight, inflating the need for it and managers’ perceived importance.
This isn’t about bad managers—systems perpetuate fear-based motivation. The assumption is that confined spaces boost efficiency, but evidence disagrees. A 2017 Stanford study over two years with a 16,000-employee company found remote workers far more productive, plus employers saved $2,000 per employee on office space.
Your employer might seek a hybrid compromise, or you may disagree with this view. Either way, adapt your mindset now. Explore these remote work advantages while unsupervised.
Your tasks and schedule are now linked.
Healthy work habits involve experimentation. You might thrive 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or perhaps not—office routines can blur tasks into one “work” block. Without rigid hours, treat tasks individually: complete by deadline creatively. Step away every 45 minutes for fresh perspectives, ride late-night momentum, or sleep in after a productive evening.
Tasks encroach on personal time regardless—control the hours. Deliver quality on time, and no one dictates otherwise.
Mental health takes priority.
You know what supports your well-being best. Schedule work around it: a 2 p.m. coffee break, outdoor sessions, midday reading. Blast your favorite album, schedule mid-day therapy via video—if it fits deadlines, prioritize it. Employers deserve output, not control over your health.
No commuting reclaims time.
Remote transitions can be tough—kids, distractions, adjustment lags. If 45 minutes slip by unproductively, cut yourself slack: you’d still be commuting. It saves money, hours, and stress. Constant traffic or subway noise harms health long-term, per studies.
Create separation: after work, take a 10-20 minute neighborhood walk to decompress.
Your colleagues aren’t gone.
Face-to-face will return, but tools like Zoom and Skype suffice now. One-on-one calls foster connection. I chat with my manager/editor twice weekly—recent calls start with casual catch-ups and jokes, pivot to issues, end positively. It’s more efficient and informal.
Managers lose visibility, so proactive check-ins reassure them. Reach out to peers too—offer help amid shared challenges.
