The dark side of remote work that no one talks about: it's not just about wearing sweatpants and flexibility

Remote work has become critical recently. And many people believe that it is the best thing that has happened since the invention of toast. But not everything is pink. There is a dark side to working from home that many people don't talk about. So, let's dive into the murky waters of remote work and extract some facts that might surprise you.

1- Loneliness:

Even introverted people may get bored after a while. Imagine sitting at your desk, surrounded by empty coffee cups and snack plates that you haven't eaten all. You are accompanied only by the sound of your neighbor's dog barking and the meow of your neighbor's pussy. Suddenly, you realize you haven't spoken to anyone else in three days. This insulation can harm your brain, and you may start having deep conversations with your home plants.

2- Your work becomes your life:

Working from home can blur the lines between your job and your personal life. Do you remember when you used to leave the office and your work was delayed? Now, your office is always a few steps away, and it's as if your business has decided to move in with you, without even paying rent. It's tempting to check emails in the middle of the night, or finish that project during dinner. Before you realize, you find yourself working longer hours than ever before, and the work-life balance has completely disappeared.

3- Health:

When your journey is limited to going from your bed to your office, it's easy to combine with your chair. Movement is important, my friend, and without it you could become a mass in the form of a human being. Let's not even start talking about snacks. When the kitchen is nearby, it is very easy to eat all day uncontrollably.

4- Decision-making fatigue:

In the office, he makes a lot of small choices for you. For example, what to wear? Casual workwear. Where to have lunch? In the usual place... But at home, the smallest thing becomes a decision you have to make. Should I work from the couch or from the office today? Is it OK to eat ice cream for breakfast? All of these options may seem small, but they pile up. By the end of the day, you may feel too exhausted to decide what to eat for dinner.

5- Technical problems:

In the office, there is usually someone who specializes in information technology to help when things go wrong. At home, you're alone. Suddenly, you're expected to become a computer genius, a network engineer, and an expert in gadgets at the same time.

6- Video calls:

In fact, video calls are like a strange mix between business meetings and reality TV shows. On the one hand, you're trying to look professional, but your cat decides it's a good time to show her face to everyone. Or worse, forget you're in front of the camera, and stand up to uncover your stylish shirt and tie with pajama pants.

7- Career growth:

When you're not in the office, it's easier to ignore you when it comes to promotions or important projects. As they say: far from the eye, far from the heart. You may work hard, but if your boss can't see you, he or she may forget how important you are.

8- Loss of privileges in the workplace:

Sure, you save money on gasoline and work clothes, but what about all the free stuff in the office? Coffee, snacks, and ergonomics? At home, you pay for all this. Your electricity bill is rising, you need the internet to be faster, and suddenly you find yourself buying expensive cups of coffee. It's like a secret cut in your salary.

9- Social aspect:

Making friends in the office can be a big part of job satisfaction; quick conversations by the water cooler, or lunch with coworkers, can make a big difference to how you feel about your job. Working from home, you'll miss all that. Sure, you can chat online, but it's not like sharing laughter over a cup of coffee or complaining to your boss faintly in front of the printer.

10- Relationship with superiors:

Remote work can make building strong relationships with superiors more difficult. Those informal encounters in the corridors or in the elevator are gone. Now, every interaction is scheduled and formal, which makes it difficult to show your personality and build a good relationship.

11- The challenge of maintaining motivation:

At home, you are always surrounded by distractions. There's always laundry to do, dishes to wash, or a TV show calling you. It takes a lot of willpower to focus on work when your comfortable bed is just a few steps away.

12- Skills Development:

In the office, you constantly learn from the people around you. You might learn a new trick in a software from the person next to you, or learn how to deal with difficult customers by observing your co-worker. At home, these learning opportunities are hard to come by.

13- Workplace equipment:

Your company may provide you with a laptop to take home, but what about a convenient desk, ergonomic chair, or a second monitor? Many remote workers end up working from their couch or kitchen table, which can lead to all kinds of pains and aches.

14- Pressure:

When you work from home, you may feel like you need to prove that you actually work. This can lead to excessive compensation by promptly replying to messages, or doing extra work, which is cumbersome.

The end:

This dark side of remote work doesn't appear in work-from-home ads. Does this mean that remote work is horrible and we should all get back to the office quickly? No. It just means that, like anything in life, it has its pros and cons. The key is to be aware of these challenges to find ways to overcome them. Set boundaries, create a routine, stay in touch with coworkers, and don't forget to wear pants occasionally.