Remote Possibilities

There are few good things that have come out of this whole COVID debacle. One (and perhaps the only one) is the opportunity to work remotely.

Feline Coworker

I've been very fortunate with my job because I have a choice of whether to go to the office or work from home. In the beginning, I worked mostly from the office. My boss was there, and when I had questions, it was easier to turn around and ask him than to set up a video chat.

Over the ensuing months, I started working from home one day a week, then two. But when the whole COVID thing blew up over the holidays, I decided working from home was the best option for now.

So, what about going forward? Once the current surge has passed, will I go back to working at the office full-time or part-time or not at all?

I decided it would be smart to come up with a list of pros and cons for working remotely to help me decide what I will eventually do. So, here we go. 

Work Wardrobe
Pro: Put on a pair of sweats and a hoodie, and I can tick the "what to wear today" box. I can don the same clothes multiple times, thus saving on laundering costs.

Con:  I can't tell if I'm putting on weight. There's a niggling fear in the back of my mind that when I do put on big-girl pants, they're going to be mighty snug.

Personal Hygiene

Pro: I needn't be so concerned with routine showering. No makeup is required. And if my hair is a mess, so what?

Con: Not caring how one looks seems like a slippery slope. Will I find myself at the grocery store one day in pajamas, reeking a little and looking like I've been sleeping in my car?

Travel To & From the Office

Pro: I've been pleased to see my gas costs tank. (Pun intended.) When the weather sucks, it's nice not to have to scrape the ice off the car and creep and beep along slick roads. And I've put the time savings to good use – I can watch a full hour of Adam-12 repeats with Mr. Ginley.

Con: When you drive to and from work, there's a nice separation between the two...a chance to unwind, look at the sky and relax. It's also an opportunity to listen to music and sing out of tune at the top of one's lungs, something that may not be encouraged at one's home.

Food & Snacks

Pro: No need to pack a lunch, everything I need is right at home. 

Con: At the office, my food intake is limited to what I bring and what snacks may be available. Being at home enables me to snack at will. "I'll just have a few crackers with peanut butter while I'm pondering this article." Or "A nice cup of hot chocolate will spur my creative juices." (I will NOT get on the scale, I will NOT get on the scale.)

Feline Coworker

Pro: It's nice to have Maggie Lou snuggled up next to me in a spot I set up for her. Just reach over every now and then, and she purrs gently and sighs.

Con: Before she settles down for the day, Maggie is prone to biting the corner of my computer and tap dancing across the keyboard. She's also notorious for sticking her butt in my face and upstaging me during virtual meetings.

Socializing

Pro: No worries about contracting COVID from someone at the office.

Con: I miss seeing my coworkers. Sure, the virtual chat is great, and I'm often ROFLing. But I contend there's definitely something missing when you can't interact with others in person. 

Flexibility

Pro: I can run errands and make up the time later in the day. 

Con: It can be difficult to get back in the groove when there's a big break in the middle of the day.

Mr. Ginley

Pro: Mr. Ginley and I spend more time together. 

Con: Mr. Ginley and I spend more time together.

So, what will I do when things settle down? In all likelihood, post-COVID and assuming the weather cooperates, I'll adopt a hybrid approach and head back to the office a couple days a week. For whatever reason, it feels like I'm more productive there and more connected to the company.

Plus, I don't want to become a total slob, physically or socially. 

I just hope I can still fit into my work clothes!