Why Co-working Spaces are Introvert Creator’s Nightmare?

Snehal Wagh
Sep 5, 2018 · 3 min read

In February 2018, YouTube Creators offered me a scholarship. An Incubator programme with WeWork.

What did that include?

3 months of Hot Desk and community access to my nearest WeWork Space.

I thought of it as a commute. That included me leaving home and reaching to the space, 2 hours of daily commute vs. working from home which offers me the flexibility to work anytime I want and wherever I want to.

Working in a co-working space was just like another job for me with the flexibility to work on any projects I wanted to. Meaning, there was no one to tell me when should I work on which project. I was enjoying best of both worlds, daily job plus freelancing lifestyle. There, you get to meet people make connections and work simultaneously without being distracted by the household chores.

The truth is that an “office” is simply a place that people gather together to do work. So co-working spaces are offices. — Nicholas Barang

This kind of lifestyle was supposed to make my work easier as a creator.
For any lifestyle you choose, there are specific pros and cons. In my case, cons more influential than the pros were.

In spite of the advantages, this kind of lifestyle isn’t for everybody. There were some conceivable reasons I did not have any desire to continue working in a co-working space.

Here’s what I understood from 3 months of co-working space lifestyle.


I was getting annoyed easily.

For a few, the social advantages of working in one of these spaces can be exceeded by the distraction. Shared space can be noisy and you never know when interference may happen.

I tried to use earphones which indicates that you are wired in and zoned out. Some people get private office spaces to avoid this situation, yet sooner or later, you might be in an ideal situation in an alternate domain.


I despised the commute.

Even though I used to listen a podcast or read a book on my way to the space, after a while I found it heaving.

Getting into an auto or on the metro to get to your office can be a drag, so you’ll have to ensure the space you pick is advantageous and worth the commute.


My financial plan was simply too tight.

I did get 3 months of the plan on scholarship, but I did not find the whole idea to be financially fit for me to continue afterward. Sure, I had the starting plan which included a hot desk and limited access to extras, such as conference rooms and printer.

Numerous spaces offer adaptable installment alternatives, however, in the event that you’re truly strapped you might be in an ideal situation utilizing the free space a library offers, for instance, and maybe supplement that with visits to nearby cafes for a difference in pace.

Yes, there are specific strong advantages like community events and potential client connections. But I felt it wasn’t worth the hassle.


I felt the need for more privacy.

As a creator, in order to do a deep work; you require a huge timeline of undivided attention. In your own particular office, you can set the guidelines.

However, in a collaborating space, you are compelled to adjust to the standards and culture of that space. You could end up as often as possible collaborating with individuals you’d rather not invest energy with.

In some situations, we need to make phone calls or video calls to clients. Some spaces like WeWork does provide you with conference rooms and phone booths. But it’s not that beneficial if you require them frequently.

(Does your work mean you will every now and again should be on telephone calls or phone calls? An open floor plan or paper thin dividers in “private” workplaces could mean your discussions will be heard by others in your space. Will you approve of that?)


In conclusion,

A collaborating space could possibly be for you, however, it merits considering — these spaces are attempted and valid for various fruitful organizations, and precisely considering the upsides and downsides can enable you to choose if it’s the best choice for your freelancing career.

Snehal Wagh

Written by

Jack of all, Master of Business Administration. Minimalist, Millennial. Mountaineer, Film Editor, Occasional Writer. YouTube.com/Snehal

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