I’ve never not worked in an office.
My first job out of college was at QVC, where I spent my final semester of college as a production intern. Door to door, I lived 3 miles from my office. I could walk to work if I wanted to. I could get out of bed at 7:30 and be there by 8. It was bliss, and I didn’t know how good I had it until I moved to Philadelphia.
At that point it took me about 45 minutes to West Chester, where QVC is located. For me, it was worth it. I was living in the city. Close to it all… I vowed I would always live where I wanted to, and not close to work for the sake of the commute.
Clearly, I hadn’t commuted very far for very long.
When I got my next job, a producer/writer/editor at a local Fox O&O, it was in Philadelphia. I didn’t even need to drive to work or park my car. I rolled out of bed, hopped on the #9 – the stop was on my block – and it would drop me off at the door of my office. On the bus, I coul dread, listen to music, or just stare out the window and watch the city go by.
When I moved to New Jersey, I was still working in Philadelphia. Thankfully, my off hours made my 1/2 commute bearable, but I still had to deal with parking and the fees that came along with it.
When I landed a position with a health care organization within New Jersey this, too, opened up my eyes. No more parking fees, no more bridge tolls… hello traffic on major highways. My commute was nothing short of 45-60 minutes… on a good day. On a bad day {any Friday between Memorial Day and Labor Day}, it could take me up to 2 hours to get 20-30 miles home.
But now, I have a new job and with that new job comes a new commute: Down two flights of stairs to my home office. Office attire? Casual.
Yes, I know working from home poses it’s own set of challenges like staying dedicated to a schedule and staying focused when laundry beckons, but I am a determined person who meets her deadlines like clockwork. I have no doubt in my mind I can do this, it is just going to be different.
Because, you see, I won’t come to work angry at the nasty commute I just had. I won’t be frazzled by racing to get out of the house with work supplies and baby gear for day care. I won’t be distracted with all of the other things that come along with working in an office.
In other words: I will be relaxed, more focused and ready to work.
I think it will be a great thing.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Yay! As you know, commutes are the devil, so well done getting a life without one.
Congrats! Working from home is the best.
The only drawback I’ve found is when I have visitor come to the door at 11:30 (completely reasonable time), I find myself getting odd looks for still being in my pjs. That’s when I feel I have to explain that I’ve been working since 8:30, 9:00 and just haven’t found the time to get dressed yet.
That conversation is awkward for everyone.
Jen´s last blog ..Celebrate Childhood- Tin Can Phone
I SO don’t miss commuting! I used to get out of my car once I got to work and look around for people to slap!
My husband has worked from home since right before our first was born (he’s now 6 1/2) and though it has it’s challenges, I know he wouldn’t change it. He hasn’t missed many “firsts” from the kids and spends his time with them, and not in the car stuck on the 405.
Cheryl @ Mommypants´s last blog ..Beach Day Gone Wrong
I LOVE working from home! Obviously I still have to leave in order to teach classes, but I can do all of my office work, marketing, etc. from the comfort of my home office or couch. I can have Family Fued on in the background as I work, go get a snack from the fridge when I’m hungry, and best of all – no annoying co-workers (believe me, I had my share of annoying customers/co-workers in my insraunce days!).
It can be hard to turn work “off” when the business day is over, I find myself (and my husband too who also works from home) working on the weekends, evenings, whenever just becuase we have free time and it’s there.
I hope you’re enjoying the change of pace!
Congrats. What a lovely change for you.
Working from home is the best…so long as your family understands that when you’re in your office, you’re at work. But your little one is still little, so she’ll grow up learning that. For me, it took some “training” of both my spouse and my kids to understand that, unless someone was dying or the house was burning down, I was essentially not “there.” That being said, it is great not to have to travel far, to be available for your family so easily, and to work on your own terms on your own time.
CONGRATS!!! I’m *thrilled* that all of this happened for you!!!!
Michele – The Professional Family Manager´s last blog ..Admitting “Defeat” in Order to Succeed
This subject is so timely for me. I’m on the verge of determing if we can financially swing me working from home to pusue freelance writing when my son goes to kindegaten in the fall. I’ve got my fingers crossed in a big way!
Working from home has definitely been an adjustment for me, but it’s been well worth it. And I agree… the best things are the commute and the fact that every day is casual Friday! Good luck to you in making it work!