As many companies start contemplating what it will look like to get their employees back into the office after having shifted to all remote teams, there are many, like myself, that look to the future of that with mixed emotions.
Remote working continues to grow in popularity. I’ve written before on some of my own thoughts and experiences on remote working here, here, and here. How it’s not for everyone, but I do think almost everyone should try it out. How homeschooling trained me well for remote working, and even the joys of being able to work remotely while vacationing.
The last three months of work have all been remote. I’ve worked remotely from my parent’s house, from my girlfriend’s house, from the parking lot of a restaurant, from the middle of Arkansas, and most recently (now) from the airport. I think I’ve taken this for granted. I’ve never NOT appreciated being able to have a job like this, but it didn’t quite hit me until just this minute, as I’m sitting in the Dallas Airport, cranking emails out for work, that I’ve realized how insanely blessed I am to have the job that I have.
Not only the work I’m doing but the company that I work for. The flexibility and trust that they give to their employees, and the encouragement they give when you do a job well.
My company is smaller and has been talking about what coming back into the office looks like, and I love the idea of being able to come into the office and see everyone again because I love my bosses and co-workers, but I’ve also now grown so accustomed to the patterns of working from home that I know adding an hour and a half each day of commute for going to the office is going to be tough.
When I first tried remote work back last year when I first started this job, it was difficult. I didn’t know quite how to stay productive while being at home or at an airport, or wherever I found myself, but now it’s so normal that I think it would feel weird to be back in the office. There are pros and cons to both, as with anything, but I can’t tell you how much I’m taking in these months of working remote and trying not to take them for granted.
God is good, and I never dreamed growing up that I would have a job that I could do this.