Why Working From Home Can Suck Balls

There was a time where I would sit in my cramped and overheated office and fantasize about working from home. There would be no-one hanging over my shoulder, criticising my every move and I wouldn't have to brace myself for the ever-changing moods of my co-workers. I could take breaks to spend time outdoors, cook myself a healthy lunch and workout during the day.

Nowadays I have manifested my dream of working from home and it's great. I get to set my own hours, take breaks when I need to and work away while jamming to my favourite music. But you know what? Working from home isn't all ponies and rainbows. Sometimes, working from home can suck balls. Big ones! And here is why...

IT CAN BE LONELY

There are days when I have several coaching sessions booked in, comments to read on my blog and ongoing collaborations. Other days it's just me, myself and I. Sometimes it can feel like I am constantly creating content to put out into the world and I am not getting anything back. Sometimes I have no idea if what I am doing is going in the right direction and I just have to trust that it will all lead me somewhere. The best way I have found to counteract this is to work with my own coach, or you could find yourself a business buddy or mentor.

YOU HAVE TO BE DISCIPLINED

There is no-one to keep an eye on me to make sure I am doing what needs to be done. It is just me. I do my accounting, I do my marketing, I do my designing and I do my own social media scheduling. I have to get up every day and make sure all of this is getting done consistently and someones I fail (cue guilt). I keep it all running by keeping a calendar and having set days when everything needs to be done by such as my newsletter which gets emailed out each Wednesday. I also have to let go when things don't work out the way I want.

YOUR HOME IS NO LONGER YOUR PLACE AWAY FROM WORK

How good is that feeling when you get home from work, kick off your shoes and curl up on the couch with a good tv show and some snacks? Now that I work from home, it can sometimes be a place that represents tasks and stress. I aim to avoid these feelings by having designated areas where I work from and set working hours.

YOU CAN'T LET YOURSELF BECOME A SHUT-IN

Working from home has some amazing benefits but it can also lead to becoming a bit recluse. I have a daily non-negotiable where I have to leave the house at least once a day, whether that be for a walk, a trip to the shops or lunch with a friend.

Do you currently work from home or would like to? Let me know in the comments what strategies you use so that working from home doesn't suck big balls!

Much love,