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Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by Work In My Pajamas
As the internet continues to play an even more integral role in our personal and professional lives, more and more businesses and individuals are seeking at-home work settings. There are numerous perks to working from your own home and on your own time, but of course it comes with its setbacks and limitations. Working from home allows flexible work hours, less time wasted in the car, a comfortable work environment, and much more.
These things are all huge ploys for many individuals faced with the option of working from home. But as with all things, working from home is not for everyone. There are some personality types that flourish in the office environment, just as there are many the flourish on their own in a home environment. You should carefully weigh all sides of the equation before committing to a work situation.
While there are numerous articles highlighting the positive aspects of working from home, the downfalls of an at-home work situation are often overlooked.
Deadened Social Life
Part of working in an office environment is enjoying the company of your coworkers. Sure, there are going to be times that you get annoyed with the people you work with and you are going to wish you could work from home, but there are also times that you enjoy the company and camaraderie of your coworkers. Working in an office is very much a social event as much as it is a professional engagement. Working from home on your own means that you will have significantly less social interaction throughout the day.
This can be a huge struggle for some individuals. Many of us thrive on the office banter, social relationships, and general community that is forged through working in a professional office atmosphere.
Difficult Distractions
One of the most difficult struggles accompanied with working from home is the accessibility of distractions. When you work from home, you are on your own, using your personal computer, and largely uninhibited by a “boss” looking over your shoulder. This means that for those with concentration issues (or just anyone) time is often wasted. Some personality types may not struggle with this.
However, there are several of us that would find ourselves happily entering the black hole that is the internet and not finding our way out to our work until much later. These distractions are more easily avoided for some when you work in an office environment with certain checks and rules.
Loss of Regular Regimen
One of the biggest perks that is discussed about working from home is the flexible schedule that it allots people. For the most part, you are able to design your own schedule and that schedule can change daily as needed. While this can be extremely useful for certain living situations, there are many people who may struggle with such an open schedule.
What was once a nine to five job may become a job that keeps you up until three in the morning because you are sleeping until noon. Like many things, working from home takes self-imposed restraint and self-imposed motivation. It can be difficult to manage so much freedom in a reasonable and healthy manner.
This is a guest post from Jacelyn Thomas. Jacelyn writes about identity theft prevention for IdentityTheft.net. She can be reached at: jacelyn.thomas @ gmail.com.
Working from home has positive and negative aspects. The chances of you being distracted are much larger, on the other hand, you can organize any way you see fit. I love working at home
For me the main problem is that my kids think that because I am at home that I am available for what ever they need – eg if they forget to take something to school they just text me and ask me to fetch it in. I cannot seem to get through to them that I am at work.