Working from home is a delight. I love dealing with clients, controlling my destiny, knowing that the buck stops with me.
I can give myself credit for a job well done, and only have myself to blame if things are not going well.
When I think of working in an office, commuting on the train day after day and grimly hanging on for dear life while standing in the aisles, rocking from side to side as the carriage creaks its slow way to my destination, I shudder a little and smile. I feel quite smug at being able, should I wish to, work in my pyjamas while eating vegemite on toast.
There are so many things I do not miss: office politics, co-workers’ body odor, food smells in an open-plan office, bad bosses, dodgy air-conditioning, useless meetings, fire drills – I could go on.
But there are, of course, some things I do pine for quite regularly.
This morning, for example, after a very busy morning, I had myself a tea break. Off I wandered to my own kitchen, made my tea in my favourite Yummy Mummy mug (bless my partner for that one) which is always where I left it, never snaffled by a mystery thief. Bliss, I thought, as I gazed over my back garden (in reality a small, weedy, overgrown jungle I tend to avoid looking at as much as possible).
But I wanted to talk to someone.
I really wanted to vent, to get a bit of juicy gossip, to have a conversation beyond the polite, businesslike chatter I exchange with clients every day. My friends and family are inevitably at their own offices, or juggling children, or otherwise running around and unable to talk.
It was last month I started talking to my cat, Mia. Mia is a crazy female Bengal who thinks she is a dog. She is a quiet and attentive audience, willing to listen to any and every of my rants. She’s also very fond of sympathetic cuddles. However, she is, at the end of the day, a cat. After each conversation Mia and I have, I am a little more concerned for my own mental health. It’s just the beginning, I think to myself. It’ll be baggy cardigans next, then having quiet cries to myself as I nibble crackers for lunch.
Working from home offers so much in the way of work-life balance. But it can be tough when all you have for company from Monday to Friday is the cat.
Leah Gibbs is the Founder and Business Manager of Lifestyle Careers.
Lifestyle Careers is an online recruitment job board. Our niche and specific focus is the advertising of flexible employment and work at home positions. It is designed for professionals wanting to balance their work and personal life.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I love that I get to talk to my cats while working from home. They love having cuddles as much as I do. In saying that, they can be a little distracting when they drop their toys on my computer or sit on the piece of paper I was reviewing. My 2 also think they’re dogs, they’re just not as big as your girl.
I understand what you go through. Yes, animals are man’s best friend’s especially cats and dogs however when it comes to sharing your emotions, feelings and gossips you required someone who will give you reply and of course human are best at it.
Human contact is important, even in a large office you can feel lonely. Maybe instead of having tea for your break, go for a walk to the end of the street, might have an elderly neighbour about. No doubt they will want to talk to you.
If I get lonely I often turn to my social networks and Fans on Facebook, Twitter and Linked In for some discussion or other small business forums that I am a member of, or call a work colleague for a natter.
The only time I often get stuck is if I have a confidential brainwave of any idea that I would like to brainstorm with another person to bounce ideas off. The cat comes in handy for this
Honestly, the way my life is lately, I don’ have a second spare in my day.
Life is busy and good
Thanks for sharing