Why I feel closer to people now we’re not in an office together

The reasons I prefer remote working are split into two boxes. The first is work / life balance and the second is the way I work with the team.

Without the commute, I spend way more time with my family in the week. Instead of a sandwich in a cafe at the office, I’m more likely to have lunch together, go for a walk or mow the lawn!

Conversely, my days off aren’t focussed on chores, but on spending more quality time together.

Financially, it saves a fortune in commuting costs so quality of life has improved. I’ve also found my relationships have got stronger with my family.

However, from a purely work-productivity perspective, I’m just getting more shit done.

I’m a little introverted, so am comfortable having time alone to think things through — primarily without distraction. I get so much more done at home, especially the detail or ‘thinking’ stuff — which I really enjoy.

I found having some discussions in the office more tricky than remotely. I find it easier to look at a diary, and call one to one in private, than having a chat in a room full of people.

Remote working also enhances a combination of writing and talking more. I always found it very odd messaging someone sitting next to you, so I would instinctively start to speak, but would often get a ’can we talk later, I’m just doing X Y Z’.

I find a lot of the team have grown up with digital communications as second nature and prefer them… and mixing that with being in a room feels slightly misaligned. It feels more suited to remote.

Personally, I don’t like the spotlight, so I find talking on a camera way more relaxing than in a room when someone goes ‘right, you — talk’.

I’ve also always enjoyed and felt comfortable talking on the phone, so it’s brought that trait back and I actually prefer it to face to face meetings that can feel, at times, more rigid and pressured.

Saying all that, I’m also acutely aware that others feel the complete opposite to a lot of these feelings, so it’s important to have an open dialogue about how the remote shift is affecting everyone in different ways. It also doesn’t take into account the absolute need for real-life interaction (I’m in no way suggesting we all take root in our homes and never come out!). If anything, I’ve found it’s made those experiences all the richer and appreciated.