8 Reasons Why I Love Remote Work

Introduction: Why remote work is a way to go for me

Thanks to COVID-19 Pandemic, remote work is on the rise where more people are opting to work from home. What once may have been seen as a new-age luxury has become an essential component of the way we do business today. As technology keeps evolving, it is becoming easier for people like me to work with companies without worrying about where we are situated. I could work anywhere in the world where I have an internet connection.

In a sense, I first started remote work while I was still in my bachelors. Taking up those roles as campus ambassadors, work from home internships etc., prepared me for what was to come later. A couple of years ago, I dropped out of my masters and took up part-time and freelancing roles to travel more. And during this time, I had an opportunity to work from stunning places around the world. Thanks to the pandemic, remote work had become a necessity allowing me to continue remote work for much longer. In this article, I am going to share 8 reasons why I love to work remotely.

Reason 1: Remote Work gives me the freedom and flexibility I need

The rise of the digital age has changed the way we work. The internet, smartphones, and web-based programs have allowed us to work from anywhere in the world. And I am fortunate enough to be a part of this revolution. I can work the hours that are most convenient for me. I do not have to rely on a rigid schedule that puts me in a position where I have to choose between going to the gym or missing an hour at the office. I can make the choice that will make me happiest and not stress about it. I can tailor my schedule and choose when and where we work. If I want to work at 2 am, I do it. If I want to work from the beach, I do it. Also, remote work allows me to take time off for any reason if needed, and no one complains about me being late. And I don’t abuse this freedom or flexibility. I inform my teammates if I am unavailable well before I want a break, and I always tend to finish my work before the deadlines.

Reason 2: Remote Work removes the need to commute

The world economy is becoming increasingly mobile, and people can now take their work with them, no matter where they are. It is now possible for anyone to work from home and commute or travel as little as necessary. Thanks to remote work, I don’t have to commute to work, despite my love for travel. I am never stuck in traffic, and I can work from the comfort of my home and not have to worry about time to travel to and from work. This is a great way to save time, money and resources. I don’t need to pay for public transit or for expensive petrol. I save time which I could use for other exciting things. And less commute usually also means I contribute towards lesser pollution and have a lower carbon footprint.

Reason 3: Remote Work helps me be more productive

I am sure most people would be divided when I say one of the main benefits of remote work is — it reduces distractions. While I can focus more on my work without any interruptions, I know that there are others who face challenges while they work from home. For me, remote work is a superb option as it allows me to focus more on my work without any distractions or interruptions, which help me be more productive. All the technological and logistical challenges I faced while working remote had made me more adaptable. While I have never worked from an office in my career, I have never been a fan of sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day. Another benefit of remote work is that I am also not dealing with office politics or people trying to push their ideas on everyone else at the office.

Reason 4: Remote Work helps me save more money

Remote work has grown enormously in recent years, and it is on the path of being more popular than ever before. It has helped individuals like me to save up on some significant money. Saving money on petrol, vehicle maintenance, parking, or public transport are not the only ways I could do it. I can work from a country or suburbs with the least cost of living to save money on my rent and other living expenses. While working from a different country is not often preferred by many employers, I was fortunate enough to have this privilege. Also, with all the time I save because of remote work, I could take up side projects which helps me save some extra bucks.

Reason 5: Remote Work lets me work in a comfortable environment

Remote work is an increasingly popular option for people to work where they are most comfortable. It is helpful for people with mental health issues, family commitments, or those who live in an area with few job opportunities. For me, I just love the freedom to work from my desk when motivated, from my bed when I am lazy and while I travel when I want to be inspired. I can work in my pyjamas or anything that is most comfortable for me without fearing how people would judge me on what I wear. I have more control over my hygiene since the environment I work in is under my control.

Reason 6: Remote Work helps me find work-life balance

Finding a work-life balance is one of the most challenging jobs in today’s society. While some people find success with a 9 to 5 job, many cannot achieve this type of lifestyle. On the other hand, remote work has helped me achieve the balance I needed to keep my life running smoothly while helping me succeed in my career. I usually am not stressed, and this helps me to stay humble and kind. Working at home also allows me to take more time personally and spend the day catching up on Netflix or reading a book. It also made sticking to goals easier and allowed me to spend more time on my personal development. It helped me build up my self-confidence and self-respect. And it allowed me to understand how crucial it is that I build that confidence in myself to achieve exceptional results in my work.

Reason 7: Remote Work helps me to travel more

As I have mentioned in one of my previous blogs, I have always wanted to travel. Having the flexibility to work remotely has made this possible. I have been working remote for almost three years now and have been able to travel to many places. I would not have been able to do this if I was working from an office. Remote work has given me the freedom to explore the world. The freedom to pursue my interests, hobbies and passions outside of work. And I think it is a privilege that many people in the workforce did not get to experience before remote work allowed us to. While the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to stay home, I am pretty sure people would start travelling more as long as remote work keeps being an option.

Reason 8: Remote Work gives me time to learn new things

As mentioned above, remote work remotely has allowed me to pursue my hobbies and interests outside of work. Not just that I get to pursue my hobbies and interests, but I also get to learn new things. I am also an introvert. I love my alone time, and remote work gave me that time to learn, think, reflect and recharge. Technology is not just making remote work possible but also online education. I can now learn about almost anything from the internet. I just need to have the interest and time which is possible thanks to remote work. This is a fantastic opportunity for self-discovery.

Conclusion: Remote work is liberating, and it should become the norm on how we work

It’s not that I don’t like the hustle and bustle of an office environment, but I was never one to go into an office every day for 8 hours. When I first started freelancing, I was a little sceptical and worried. What would it be like to not have a formal office? Would I be able to keep up with the rest of the team? What will happen to my career? Is this the right way to start a career? Fortunately, three years down the lane, I work full time in a very flexible remote environment. With the advancements in technology, it has become much easier to connect with team members remotely, and it is possible to be very productive working from home.

But I also understand that the death of traditional 9-to-5 work might be greatly exaggerated. While many are talking about the wave of the future being remote work, not everyone is convinced. People are not happy about all the technological limitations, lack of human interactions and other downsides of remote work. So yes, there are challenges that come with remote work, but it’s worth it to me to have the freedom and flexibility that comes with working from home. Many people like me already find remote work to be a natural extension of their current employment situation. If you are passionate about your job and want to continue doing what you love but need some flexibility, remote work is for you.

Read more articles written by Veda on his personal website