6 Hidden Struggles of Work From Home That No One Talks About.
Job tastes and preferences have shifted over the years. Work hours, work conditions, minimum wages, and even sites of work, I mean, these days, job listings often include options like on-site, hybrid, or fully remote (work from home). Back in the day, it was simple—you showed up at the job site, no buts.
While the prospect of working from home is pretty interesting, with no long commutes in that morning traffic jam and the comfort of your home, many who try it quickly realize that maybe it’s not all fun and games. Turns out there’s an ugly side that nobody talks about… but then again who would complain when we are the very ones searching for these work-from-home gigs?
Your home is no longer your sanctuary. For those of us working the 9-5 jobs, by 3 pm you just can’t wait to get back home. I mean, it’s your place of rest, to unwind and run from the stress of work. Remote work? Your home is your office, it’s your job and there ain’t anywhere you are going to run to.
It’s a 24/7 kind of gig. True, many remote tasks will have a schedule or some kind of work hours you will be working. However, many remote workers find it hard to just “unplug” after work. And it’s understandable, your workspace is a few steps away from your bed, and your work computer is open and within reach.
For some of us who have just one computer setup, it’s easy to check personal things, only to be tempted into answering one more email or completing just one more task. Before you know it, it’s halfway through the night, and you’re still working. I know this because I’m a remote worker myself…
Loneliness and Isolation. Have you ever tried sitting at your computer the entire day—alone, working? Trust me, it’s a toll. A lot different to when I play games or binge-watch a series.
In a traditional work environment, you’d have spontaneous conversations with coworkers, crack a joke here and there and interact. Remote work? The most you can get is a slew of work messages and emails. It’s worse when the day feels slow and you can’t banter with anyone. The personal connections that make work enjoyable are often missing in remote gigs.
Overworking, disguised as flexibility. One of the main reasons we find remote work attractive is flexibility. The idea of working on your own schedule lures many in, however, without a clear distinction between work hours and personal time many of us end up putting in more hours than we would have in the office. There’s a kind of pressure to be available at all times, even outside regular hours. You end up working longer to prove you are productive.
Career stagnation. How do we get promotions at work? Visibility. Managers notice who’s putting in extra effort, who is stepping up where and who deserves a promotion, which is hard to achieve in a remote setting. It always feels like we are missing out on opportunities for advancement because we are not physically present.
Unrealistic deadlines. One of the major flaws of remote work is that sometimes the managers and clients assume that since you are home, you can work around the clock.
Without clear boundaries of work and personal time, deadlines become more demanding since it is assumed that you have unlimited time to complete the tasks.
Working from home can be seen as the ultimate freedom, and it is in some cases. But behind the scenes, many find themselves struggling with mental fatigue, burn out and career stagnation.
The blurred boundaries between work and home space make it even more challenging… kids shouting in the background, someone messed with your set-up and then trying to catch up with the workload so that you can make some free time for yourself in the future.
Borderline? Working from home can be a blessing, but it also has its toxic side—like everything else on earth. The mental health toll, career stagnation, and lack of social interaction are real challenges that can make one question their life choices down a rabbit hole.
So, for the remote workers out there, plan your days, and schedule your work so that your home stays as your sanctuary. Not just another office.
check out this article on the dark side of remote work.
