Comments on: Telecommuting Disadvantage #2

By: koli

koli — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 08:30:14 +0000

I have two friends who successfully Telecommute.
Both of them are fortunate enough to have a separate room for their home office, which contains just a desk, a computer, and a phone. They work from home for exactly 8 hours a day. And rigorously keep the separation of work and home. One of them even puts on a suit before going into his home office, then changes back into casual clothes at the end of the day. This symbolic separation of the work day from their home life helps ensure that they avoid the trap of working ridiculously long hours when Telecommuting.

By: tearese

tearese — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 07:29:51 +0000

I don’t think I could do it. Thats probably why I haven’t been a successful artist since graduating…I can’t stay focused on something when I’m at home. Half my motivation is “being the best in the class” if you will. So while I would want my employers to think well of me, I would probably start to go downhill in my work ethic if I didn’t have other people to compare myself too. Sad, isn’t it.
I know I would get depressed to. My job here just ended before the baby was born. So far I’m doing fine, but we’ll see about things when I move away from the support system I have here!

By: cardine

cardine — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 21:40:13 +0000

I’ve wondered if you got lonely at all working at home. I can see how that would be good and bad at the same time.

By: Jill

Jill — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:05:23 +0000

Thank you everyone, for your comments and encouraging words. It’s nice to know that I’m not alone in this struggle and that I have such kind online friends to help boost me up!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 13:00:03 +0000

You need to make more time to make more friends. Honestly, I worry about you. I know you are a very private person. Your neighbors probably think “who are those weird people we never see.” I know you will have to go out of your comfort zone… but you must do it! I hope after 5 pm (MST) you don’t answer the phone from work. It is like calling you if you were home. Do you call them at home?

When I left USF I didn’t realize how much I was married to my job before I was married to myself or my family. Make time for you. Make time for your hubby…. which I think you already do a good job, but make more date nights.

You are an amazing person! Thank you for sharing with us what is going on. I’m sure it helps more to blog about it.

By: OMSH

OMSH — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 05:10:37 +0000

I “get” this during the school year. But now, with the kids home and trying to juggle working online and tending to kids, I’m literally BEGGING for the school year to return.

Isolation does suck.
I have people in my life that FORCE me out.
I’d be a terrible hermit otherwise.

By: heather

heather — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:08:37 +0000

I bet there are awesome opportunities for continued education in LV. A photography class, writing classes, classes that force you to get to know other people and hopefully make lasting friendships. Or volunteer opportunities, a docent at an Art Museum, a historic house?

Part of me is very envious that you can be foot loose and fancy free, if I were in your shoes I would be joining all sorts of groups/clubs/chamber of commerce etc. I’m sorry you feel isolated though, and hope you are able to find local friends.

By: LVGurl

LVGurl — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:53:05 +0000

My mom telecommutes for her job, too. And like you, she is so dependable that her colleagues expect her to be available at all times! But my mom prefers it that way, I think. We all went to Hawaii a couple years ago, and she happily brought her Blackberry with her. Checked the damn thing every half hour. It drove me nuts! I fear that her job is becoming her identity, but I digress…

I understand 100% what you’re saying about missing the ‘goings-on’ around the office. Oh, how I understand!

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:28:04 +0000

I totally here how you are feeling. Working at home is really hard – especially when on top of all that the only other person around is a baby. Everyone always thinks how lucky you are to work at home full time but they don’t remember that the socialization that happens in a workplace all but disappears. It is even harder in the summer when there are tons of people in the neighborhood out and about and you are locked in the house watching the people outside.
It does get easier when you start meeting people. I did that by looking up book clubs, knitting meetings and now mom groups.
Good Luck!

By: The Telecommuterer » Telecommuting Links: 2007-06-22

The Telecommuterer » Telecommuting Links: 2007-06-22 — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 07:14:22 +0000

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