Should You Continue Working From Home After COVID? Consider the Following

     Working from home. When the idea was thrust onto us after COVID, many of us were skeptical. A year later, and some of us are still working from home. Maybe you’re waiting for your vaccine, or you’re waiting for everyone else. Alternatively, perhaps your workplace is still from home right now. Alternatively, maybe you haven’t worked from home yet and are considering it. Either way, let’s talk about it if you should.

Should You Continue Working From Home After COVID? Consider the Following
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The Good: No Commute

     Let’s face it: commuting is terrible. You have to wake up, waste some gas or electricity in your car to get to where you were. Perhaps you live in an area where there could be a traffic jam, possibly making you late. Alternatively, you may have to take the bus or train. Unsanitary, and quite unsafe in some cases. When you work from home, your commute is in the room next to where you wake up, usually.

The Bad: Less Socializing

     One of the biggest parts of mental health is socializing with others. Even if you are less social, you may need to talk to someone to maintain your sanity. The issue with working from home is that you talk to people less often. When you do Zoom with your boss or coworkers, it doesn’t feel as fulfilling for the most part. If you are someone who has socializing outside of work, this may not be a big deal. However, if you are someone who does require socialization from your coworkers, that’s another story.

The Good: It May Make You More Productive

     Wherever you look, the consensus is that for most people, working from home will make you more productive. While you may believe that you will be less productive due to distractions and because you are at home, it turns out that when people are in a more comfortable environment, sometimes with a pet or a person they love, their productivity flourishes.

The Bad: Technical Troubles

     Okay, technical troubles can happen in the office, but when you’re working from home, it’s more likely your internet will have a hiccup, or you will have trouble connecting to your workplace’s cloud. Not to mention, camera and mic issues! Recent tech has made this less likely, but for some people, it’s still there and ready to annoy you.

The Good: Possible Tax Deductions

     Okay, we’re not accountants. Talk about this with a certified CPA. With that said, it is possible for you to deduct your Internet, electricity, phone, rent, mortgage payment, and other bills. This can make you pay fewer taxes and earn more.

The Bad: Security Concerns

     Every business is prone to security, but when you’re working remotely, you may be more prone to hackers. Or, maybe you left your laptop at the coffee shop. There are various programs that can help with security, but it is still a concern when it comes to working from home.

The Good: You May Be Able to Work From Anywhere

     While most of us have been locked down, as the vaccination rate rises, you may be able to get out more. If you feel like you have a lot of travel to catch up with, it’s possible that you can bring your laptop with you. The possibilities are endless. You could work while on the beach, in another country, or while on a plane. Just make sure you have a steady connection. And be mindful of the time zones.

So, What’s the Answer?

     It depends on the person. Some people will love working from home, while others will be yearning to return to the office. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. With that said, working from home does have its advantages and we recommend you to try it out if possible. You may be surprised with how nice it is in the long run.

Seek Help!

     With that said, working from home can lead to feeling isolated, burnout, and other mental health issues. Luckily, just as you can work remotely, you can also seek therapy remotely. Websites such as BetterHelp.com allow you to speak to a therapist on your own schedule, helping you in a time where you just want to return to normalcy. Talk to a therapist today and see what they can do for you.