Before I took the plunge and started working from home, I admit I had a romanticised view of what it would entail.
I was picturing leisurely breakfasts, being able to stay in my pjs all day, firing up the computer whenever I wished and generally kicking back and laughing at all those sorry souls who still had to commute to an office every day. I thought it would be so easy to get my work complete during school hours so I could be that doting and caring parent that is all ears in the afternoon, laden with home baked treats for her weary tribe.
Seriously, that was my picture of work from home bliss.
Suffice to say it was a big crock of crock.
Working from home is HARD. Anyone who says it isn’t is LYING. I will go over the challenges of working from home (and my solutions) in a future post, I promise.
But today I wanted to talk about some of the unexpected benefits I have already discovered now that I work from home. Of course I expected some benefits from my new situation (who wouldn’t?) but there have been some unexpected gifts that have come my way that I wanted to share because they are so welcome and so unexpectedly awesome.
Benefit #1 My skin has never been better
I have worn makeup all my working life – from the age of 19, to be exact. I had continual breakouts and oiliness and dry patches throughout my 20s and 30s which I thought was just the way my skin was. I wore makeup as part of my professional wardrobe but I also wore makeup to disguise my rosy complexion and the fact that I blush easily – it was my way of combating my innate low self esteem.
Since I’ve left work, I can count on one hand how many times I’ve worn makeup. I now feel confident taking the kids to school, going to the shops and attending appointment sans makeup. And my skin is glowing (in a good “not Rudolph the reindeer” way). I haven’t taken up a new cleansing regime – I still wash my face in the shower and make sure I moisturise, like I always did. That’s it. A number of people have commented on how good I look which is rather pleasant and confidence boosting since I’m turning the big 4-0 this year. This is a benefit I did not expect from my new working arrangements.
Benefit #2 I have more professional confidence
I didn’t expect this by-product of working from home either. For good or bad, I always needed the validation of the workplace. I thought that my value as a worker was intrinsically linked to the role I had in the workplace, as part of a larger organisation. I have to confess that leaving my place in my organisation was one of my biggest fears when taking this leap. I feared that I would be lost and have no identity.
It’s funny that 6 months on, after a period where I did feel lost for a while, I now have more confidence in my own ability than I ever did in the workplace. I am revelling in setting my own direction and pursuing my own ideas. I finally believe that I can write and that I can add real value to the world. It’s a powerful combination of hope, determination, confidence and belief. And it’s intoxicating.
Benefit #3 I have never been healthier
Now I did expect to be less stressed by working from home – that was the driving reason behind my decision to accept the offer of redundancy in the first place. But I did not expect to feel so physically healthier so quickly. I don’t remember the last time I had a cold. My sinus is manageable and I haven’t really experienced a day where I’ve felt too unwell not to work. This is in stark contrast to my previous life where I would often find myself felled by a cold or by a virus on a regular basis. It appears the air conditioned office was definitely not my friend so this is a very unexpected yet welcome benefit of working from home.
Benefit #4 I have finally embraced colour in my wardrobe
In my previous life I tended to gravitate to classic, monotone hues in my office wear. Apart from the odd splash of red or teal, you could bet your house I would have black or grey or white in my office ensemble on any given day. As my main clothing purchases were made for my working week (where I spent most of my time), my casual wardrobe was sadly neglected and woefully inadequate.
Since leaving the office I have had to reconstruct my casual wardrobe and I’ve started to finally embrace more colour and pattern. And I feel so much better for it. Feeling good in what you wear and adding some colour to your life really does lift your mood. This is a huge statement coming from a non-fashionista like myself but I am ever so glad that I have belatedly welcomed colour to my wardrobe!
Benefit #5 I feel more centred with more solitary hours in my day
I am a social creature by nature and I was concerned that I would find the isolation of working from home oppressive and dispiriting. I always loved the camaraderie of the office and thrived on the social interactions that valued me as a person, not just as someone’s mother. However, it turns out that I crave the solitary hours of my working day. They give me energy to deal with the craziness of the morning and afternoon routines. Having some alone time has made me a better mother and I hope, a better wife too.
I find that when I do need to venture out or attend appointments now, a part of me resents the fact that I am being pulled away from my work and from my quiet existence at home. I still love being social but I am loving the feeling of contentment and centering that has come from more time on my own. It is a luxury that I now crave and has become integral to my own personal and professional happiness.
There are so many other benefits to working from home, most of them much more well known and accepted. I feel less stressed, I can direct my own work, I am my own boss, I don’t have to call in sick, I can work when and where I want, etc. The list is well and truly endless.
But I have to say that these 5 unexpected benefits of working from home were a complete surprise to me and very welcome. I wonder what other benefits will emerge as I continue my new working life?
I don’t work from home, but I would imagine a massive benefit would be being there when the postie drops by so you don’t have to schlep down to the PO when you come home and have that pesky notice in your mail box or front door. I’ve just done day 3 of my new job and I’m loving it, but still adjusting to being in one big room with 4 office mates all at our own desks.
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted…And Then The Explosion Happened
I hope the new job turns out really well for you Aroha – good luck x
Kirsty Russell recently posted…Musical Musings A to Z: songs beginning with Y
I can definitely identify with #5!
Janet aka Middle Aged Mama recently posted…What I Wore: March 2015 PRINTS
#5 definitely surprised me the most as I am quite an extroverted person. However my mental and physical health has obviously been craving some regular quiet time to myself and I feel so better much better for it!
Kirsty Russell recently posted…Musical Musings A to Z: songs beginning with Y
It’s fantastic you are already seeing the positives. When I was first starting out, I think the negatives outweighed he positives. Especially friends who thought I was a free and easy child minding service when their little ones were sick and couldn’t attend school, so they could go of to their day jobs.
Raychael aka Mystery Case recently posted…The Perfect LBD 52 Ways – Stepping Out
That seems really presumptuous to me – I hope you were able to shut that down quick smart. There are always negatives to balance the positives and I will cover them as well in a future post. Thankfully the positives currently outweigh the negatives for me in a big way!
Kirsty Russell recently posted…Musical Musings A to Z: songs beginning with Y
I totally agree. I left my PR work mid-last year to spend more time with my family. It was the biggest decision I have ever made, but it has also been the best one! It has given me the opportunity to set up my own blog as well as a freelance writing business and while I’m not making any money at the moment (our third baby is due any day now so I have had to put the business on the backburner for a little bit), I have loved the freedom and flexibility and can’t say I have been at all bored or lonely during this time. For someone who is quite extroverted it’s quite amazing!
Erika @ Ever-changing Life of a Mum recently posted…14 ways to enjoy the school holidays without going broke
So glad to hear it is working out so well for you too Erika. Good luck with your new addition – how lovely and exciting!
Kirsty Russell recently posted…Musical Musings A to Z: songs beginning with Y
I love working from home. LOVE IT!
Right now I love it because I get to wear Ugg boots which is essential footwear for a Canberra autumn.
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
Looks like I’ll have to add uggs to my new wardrobe for when winter bites up this way!
Kirsty Russell recently posted…Musical Musings A to Z: songs beginning with Y
#3 would be great- I rarely get sick but when I do, it’s something I’ve picked up at work!
Amy @ HandbagMafia recently posted…Don’t Trust a Blogger With Your Life
#3 is my favourite by far – I love being healthy now!
Kirsty Russell recently posted…Musical Musings A to Z: songs beginning with Y
I technically work from home because I do freelance writing. I find my sinus is a lot more manageable now too. It was horrid every day before but now it only flares up every now and then, I think its from not being in the air con all the time and also not being exposed to everyone’s colds.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted…Making the switch with Food Switch
Don’t you feel that much better for not having to deal with sinus everyday Toni? The constant feeling of heaviness and pain in the head and face can really wear you down. On the odd occasion I experience it now I wonder just how I worked through it most days for all those years…
Kirsty Russell recently posted…Musical Musings A to Z: songs beginning with Y
I do a bit of both. Much prefer working from home….but I do miss the social side of a workplace though.
I miss the social side sometimes but for the most part I am very content and satisfied at home – it is certainly a better way of working for me x
Kirsty Russell recently posted…Musical Musings A to Z: songs beginning with Y
Working from home can be great. I did the no makeup thing too and hardly ever wear it. Though I am starting to wear some light makeup now but only because I want to.
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages recently posted…Comment on Friday Favourite Kelly Exeter by Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid
I love the extra time I gain in the morning from not having to put it on – not sure I’ll ever go back to wearing it regularly but you never know…
Kirsty Russell recently posted…Musical Musings A to Z: songs beginning with Y
You make it sound very attractive! !
I work 3 days in the office & 1 from home, but I think that this just means I get the worst bits of each arrangement! No glowing skin for ne, that’s for sure!
Mumma McD recently posted…Easy ways to make your blog more accessible
I used to work a similar arrangement and I agree, it was the worst bits of each world. I hope you can find a better arrangement too!
Kirsty Russell recently posted…Musical Musings A to Z: songs beginning with Y
I am actually craving the “Adult Conversations” that I am missing out on – being a stay at home mum, Homeschooling I am missing out on talking with others.
Love that skin has improved, and that you are able to wear clothes that are your style 🙂
At least you don’t have to deal with the crazy commute to work and back each day!
Lisa Wood recently posted…Skipping Stones At The Beach
I guess I will miss those conversations more as I go on as it’s all still relatively new to me but all those other benefits are too good to pass up right now!
Kirsty Russell recently posted…Musical Musings A to Z: songs beginning with Y
They are unexpected benefits. I didn’t guess any when I was reading your post. I think the best benefit is the sinus and not being sick part. I used to hate when a work colleague would come to work with a cold and delightfully share it with us at the office!!
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted…Essential Baby Equipment to keep mum sane and baby safe part II + Lumbar High Chair Giveaway
I think that’s the best benefit too – I love feeling well!
Kirsty Russell recently posted…Musical Musings A to Z: songs beginning with Y
I don’t work at home but would like to one day. (Sooner rather than later!) All the reasons you’ve listed are pretty much why I know I would be better off working for myself.
Vanessa recently posted…Social Media Vs Blog: The Future
I hope you can make it happen someday soon Vanessa x
Kirsty Russell recently posted…Musical Musings A to Z: songs beginning with Y