The Pros & Cons of Working from Home
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I’ve written about working from home before. There are so many benefits and I really do love it, but there are definitely cons as well. As a full time blogger and web designer, I have to admit I do feel very fortunate to work from home, so I hope this post isn’t taken in the wrong way. Here is what I love and don’t love about working from home (some things to consider if you’re thinking about taking the leap!):
Pro: I get to wear pajamas all day
Con: Sometimes I do
Working from bed in pjs is always an option when you work from home. It’s super cozy and you don’t have to move an inch all day. But that gets old quick. I do miss getting up and getting cute for a day at the office, especially since I love fashion! I’ve found that sticking to clothes that are comfortable, but not slouchy are the perfect medium – like this top and these cool striped pants from Mindy Mae’s Market. I think I need this tee, btw.
Pro: I make my own schedule
Con: Sometimes that means staying up until 3am
I love being able to sleep in and start my day whenever I want, but honestly, that can backfire pretty quickly. I am not a morning person. I never have been and I can safely bet that I never will be. But when I let myself sleep in until the late morning, I always regret it. I end up staying up so late that I have to sleep in the next day in order to even get enough sleep.
Pro: I don’t have to depend on anyone else to get things done
Con: No one depends on me to get my work done
I love being my own boss and not having to worry about anyone else holding up their end of a project, but that very fact makes it hard to stay motivated sometimes. If I don’t do something, there’s no one there to hold me to it. I can give myself a deadline, but if I miss it, nothing happens. I’ve realized through lots of trial and error that I just have to hold myself to things. It’s definitely not easy, especially when I get invited to fun events that I sadly don’t have time for. I even had to miss my boyfriend’s birthday dinner last year!
Pro: I can create my own creative space
Con: I spend all my money on cute office supplies
Ever since I started working from home, I have become obsessed with my workspace and my office supplies. When I worked in an office, we had lots of things provided to us and they were not cute. But I didn’t want to spend my own money on supplies that should really be an expense for them. Plus I already had what I really needed. Now that I work from home, I have so much fun creating a space that is inspiring to me and I just can’t resist a cute notepad or notebook! And how adorable are these Mindy Mae’s pens?! (You can get the super chic lips mug . You know you were eyeing it.)
All in all, though there are some cons, the pros definitely outweigh them. I’m not sure if I could ever go back to working for someone else. I could see myself getting a cool office space closer to town, but in reality, would I ever even make the effort to go in? Not sure about that one.
Do you work from home or do you go in to an office?
Photos by Johnny Cheng.
March 24, 2015 @ 8:03 am
I can’t wait for the day I can start working from home!! I totally see how PJ’s and setting hours could be pain points…I feel like I won’t be able to take that leap until I gain some serious self control!!
cominguprosestheblog.com
March 25, 2015 @ 4:29 pm
You definitely need self control to work from home! I think I’ve gotten pretty good at it though. I don’t let myself get distracted very easily anymore!
March 24, 2015 @ 8:09 am
Lovely post hun. I’ve been working from home for about 8 months now and definitely agree it has some pros and cons. Do you ever feel like you don’t get enough people interaction because you work from home?
I’m going back to the office in less than 2 weeks and I’m quite excited.
March 25, 2015 @ 4:30 pm
Thank you! Yes, I definitely get that feeling. I try to schedule meetings at least once a week but sometimes I don’t have enough time for that. Now that it’s warming up outside, I’ll definitely make it a point to get out and interact with people more often!
March 24, 2015 @ 8:19 am
Love this post! I’ve been working from home for the last 2 years and I absolutely love it : ) All of your pros and cons are spot on : ) ha.
Best,
Candace
http://www.liveloveandread.com
March 25, 2015 @ 4:31 pm
So glad you can relate! It’s been about a year and a half for me. I don’t think I could ever go back to an office!
March 24, 2015 @ 8:22 am
I could relate to this post on so many levels! For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been going to a local coffee shop almost every day, because CABIN FEVER! That’s definitely the biggest con for me – that, and working in my pjs!
March 25, 2015 @ 4:31 pm
So glad you could relate! And yes, cabin fever is definitely a real thing that i experience often! Now that it’s warmer outside though, I’m definitely going to start venturing out to get my work done more often.
March 24, 2015 @ 9:37 am
Everything mentioned here I’ve been thinking for so long. I couldn’t agree more. It seems like each thing that is amazing about working from home can also be a negative. I love working for myself, but sometimes having a ‘boss’ has its benefits too. I’ve definitely become (and had to become) a lot more self motivated and learning to be on my own back about deadlines. It’s challenging, yet so very rewarding (I type this as I snuggle up on the couch in my PJs at 9:30PM – yep, still working!).
http://www.lioninthewild.com
March 25, 2015 @ 4:33 pm
Right?! I’m glad I’m not the only one. I do love it, but there are definitely some hard parts that people who don’t work from home don’t realize. Glad I’m not alone in the pro/con thing (and the working all night thing)!
March 24, 2015 @ 10:03 am
I work in an office most days, but my company is very flexible about working from home. We have several offices and dozens of remote employees, so there’s no learning curve when it comes to conducting business with a staff connected solely online. On bad weather days, conflict days, or under the weather days – working from home is encouraged. Working from home is treated with as much dignity and respect as coming in to the office and I love that.
I definitely agree that it’s easy to completely let yourself slack (on getting up, on getting dressed, on meeting little deadlines) when you work from home. However, I do like the freedom and the control I have from home. Plus, I find it so comforting to be at home. Home is where the body feels most at ease, after all!
xoxo
March 25, 2015 @ 4:34 pm
That sounds like the kind of office I could work at! Maybe the kind of office I’ll run one day. I have to agree, the freedom, control and comfort of being at home is beneficial for me. It’s a lot less pressure to not have someone watching your every move to make sure you’re getting things done!
March 24, 2015 @ 10:21 am
I work from home and the hardest thing for me is fighting the urge to take those midday naps!
March 25, 2015 @ 4:34 pm
I feel you! Sometimes the urge wins… hehe!
March 24, 2015 @ 10:33 am
Oh how I can relate to all of these, they’re SO true and not many people still understand how hard it is to work from home and for yourself. It takes a lot of time, devotion and organisation just like any other job.
http://www.lartoffashion.com
March 25, 2015 @ 4:35 pm
Exactly! People think that since I work from home I just like watch tv all day or something. Nope, definitely not!
March 24, 2015 @ 11:21 am
I just transitioned to working from home and while it has enormous benefits .. I do miss my colleagues.
Monica.
March 25, 2015 @ 4:35 pm
That’s such a good point. It can definitely get lonely!
March 24, 2015 @ 12:14 pm
I agree with all of these Megan! I work from home as well and the most difficult part for me is that I’m not a morning person at all, so I usually stay up until very late. But, it does have advantages as well. I think it’s all about balance and trying to organize yourself.
March 25, 2015 @ 4:36 pm
Oh yes, I can definitely relate! I have to say though, I always feel more productive when I wake up earlier and don’t have like 500 emails to get through first thing.
March 24, 2015 @ 2:36 pm
I agree with your pros and cons about working from home. And honestly, if I didn’t have four kids, I would not even be half as organized as I’m forced to be. They definitely keep me in line because I have to compartmentalize my day which helps me to strike a healthy balance. I know what you mean about buying office supplies! I’m also obsessed with fresh flowers on my desk. It motivates me!!
Taffeta & Tulips
March 25, 2015 @ 4:37 pm
I would think it’s the opposite! I don’t know how I’d balance running businesses from home AND raising kids! Kudos to you, mama!!
March 24, 2015 @ 2:58 pm
These are so, so true! There is totally a con to every pro of working from home. The thing I’ve found to be the hardest in the last 8 months I’ve been WFH, has been the cabin fever. My husband comes home from work and usually wants to have dinner and zone out, but sometimes I haven’t even set foot outside all day and I want to get OUT in order to zone. Weekends are truly my saving grace because I try to get us out as much as possible. Great post, gal!
http://www.fortheloveoftuna.com
March 25, 2015 @ 4:39 pm
Yes!! Cabin fever is a tough one. When I don’t get pretty and dressed up for a week, I have a major urge to just glam it up. I have to at least go out to dinner or something! Now that it’s nicer outside though, I am going to start doing my work on the balcony! I think that will help with the cabin fever 🙂
March 24, 2015 @ 5:15 pm
I hope to be like you one and day and be able to work from home. I don’t think I was meant to work in an office or work for someone else. The idea of being my own boss is so appealing. I can definitely see the pros and cons here, but, like you said, I think the pros definitely outweigh! And those pens are freaking adorable.
March 25, 2015 @ 4:40 pm
Yep, I was just like you a few years ago. I am not meant to work in an office or work for someone else at all. Don’t feel bad about that! Just make it happen! 🙂
March 24, 2015 @ 5:56 pm
First of all you are lovely even in your jammies! Next you are right. I am a home schooled high school student, twin sister who is trying with help of said twins to run two blogs, learn about the world and graduate and be a blessing to said world. It is not always easy, but it has been an adventure!
March 25, 2015 @ 4:41 pm
Aw, thank you! I was actually home schooled for two years. I think it definitely helps to have siblings there with you!
March 24, 2015 @ 10:03 pm
Great post! Thanks for sharing your input! I work in an office, but I’m working on getting a job that will allow me to work from home (part of the week). I’m actually more productive at home. LOL
-Abrielle
https://norulejuststyle.wordpress.com/
March 25, 2015 @ 4:42 pm
Me too! It’s so liberating to actually be able to do what I want when I want, which actually ends in me getting more done!
March 24, 2015 @ 10:20 pm
I work from home and love it, and so does my little dog Bo. I feel like I am much more productive without distractions and enjoy my own creative space.
Although I hear you on the con of buying cute office supplies. I am in the middle of redoing my office and can’t wait for everything to be delivered!
March 25, 2015 @ 4:43 pm
Yep, me too. I am so much more productive at home where I can control the conditions, like my pretty desk, the temperature and my snack intake! Will you be sharing your office redesign on your blog? I’d love to see it!
March 25, 2015 @ 12:54 am
Thank you for sharing all this! I feel like working my own hours and wearing pjs could definitely get old pretty quickly… But it would definitely be more awesome than having to wake up early and not sit in traffic!
Michaela || The Monogrammed Midwesterner
March 25, 2015 @ 4:44 pm
Haha, I feel you on that! I think I’m spoiled. I could never go back to working set hours in an office!
March 26, 2015 @ 5:03 pm
I have been working from home for about 3 years now. I work in a slightly different field. I think that the hardest thing for me is feeling like I am always at work and should be working. And when I have different projects going with different companies, it almost feels like they expect me to be working all of the time as well. (Calls if I don’t answer an email the second it is sent…) I have students calling me night and day, week days and weekends. I don’t know when the last time I took a day off was. I thought I would have all this time to do fun stuff and then fit in a little work. It is quite the opposite. I guess it would be different if I didn’t have kids and family to support…. I would not change it for the world, it is the best thing that happened for our family. I was able to stay home after having baby number #3, but it is tough!!!
March 30, 2015 @ 10:31 am
I have that same problem! I never stop working. I feel so weird if I’m not working since my desk and computer is right beside my bed. I think having a separate office space is very helpful so I will be so happy once I’m able to do that. But I definitely feel you on the non stop emails, especially on the weekends! I’ve gotten better about just saving the email and waiting to respond (unless it’s urgent of course). Hope things get easier for you!!!
March 27, 2015 @ 1:27 pm
Hi Megan! Found your blog via TheAlishaNicole.com. 🙂 I do both – work from home and the office. I love being in the office because it’s the time I get to interact with my co-workers, but I don’t miss my lengthy commute a single bit when I work from home. Plus, I get to have lunch with my little guy on those days. Makes it super sweet!
March 30, 2015 @ 10:26 am
That’s so nice that you have fun co-workers! It sounds like the perfect mix to get away some days, but then stay home when you want to!
April 8, 2015 @ 5:43 am
I love your honest approach on this one Megan! As a completely disorganized person I once was, it was hard for me to create a routine, and still is to be fair. I still pull up all nighters sometimes…
April 13, 2015 @ 12:20 pm
Thank you! Yes, running businesses has definitely forced me to be more organized, though it is still a struggle at times!
April 13, 2015 @ 8:58 am
I loved this post, Megan! I hear you loud and clear on not being a morning person – I also stay up far too late and then can’t get up in the morning. But I’m absolutely more efficient when I do manage to get up early so I try to force myself to go to bed at 11 pm. It’s a constant struggle, to say the least. I giggled about about cute office supplies – I currently have about 20 cute pens and 15 notebooks to get through! Like someone else here mentioned, I get a bad case of cabin fever and talk my friends’ ears off when we meet up in the evening – or I call my retired mum, who has plenty of time to chat…
http://tallgirlsfashion.no
April 13, 2015 @ 12:21 pm
Ha, I’m right there with you. I stayed up too late just last night! And yaaayyy for cute office supplies! They make the day so much happier, don’t they? 😀
Oh and great point about calling your mom – such a great way to get that conversation time in!
May 2, 2015 @ 12:44 pm
I love this post. I currently work at an office, and often wonder what it would be like if I worked from home. I love the idea of making your own schedule, then on the flip side, I like that I have structure with the one I already follow. Working from home means self control/disciple, and I can’t wait until I am at a point where I can do that. Thank you for the post!