Posted on 10 June 2008 by Sharon
I was tagged by Dana to list the reasons why I love working at home. Way back in another life, I worked as a journalist in an office. Then I worked as a journalism tutor in another office. Then I traded them both for a home office, and I’ve never regretted it. Here’s why:
- I don’t have to dress up to go to work. I can work in my pyjamas, in shorts and T-shirt (my preferred garb) or in not much at all (OK, I don’t usually do this, but I could )
- My daughter can wander into my office to tell me about her day, give hugs and kisses or ask for help.
- My DH can wander into my office to tell me about his day, give hugs and kisses or ask for help.
- I can take a coffee break whenever I want, though I also have to crack my own whip.
- I have a great view from my office.
- I have time to go to the gym during the work day.
- I can finish work in time to pick my daughter up from school every day so I can find out how the day went.
- I am in charge of how much I earn and how many hours I work.
- I can cram two days’ work into one so that I can take the following day off (actually, I’m not sure if I love that, but it’s sometimes useful)
- The beach is five minutes away and it’s a great place to have lunch.
- I have lots of friends online who understand the life of a work at home writer.
- IM is not a waste of time taking me away from the tasks set by my boss, but an essential communication tool
- My horizons are limitless.
Of course, working at home doesn’t mean working less. On the contrary, I probably work even harder now that I am working for myself. Being in charge of your own income brings not only freedom, but also responsibility - and I love that responsibility.
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Tags | work at home, writing
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June 10th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
“I have lots of friends online who understand the life of a work at home writer.”
Ditto to that and thank heaven for it!
And:
“My horizons are limitless.”
Amen!
Thanks for playing along
Dana’s last blog post..Beware of the Zone - A Reminder For Distracted Moms
June 10th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Sharon,
I love working at home for the same reasons … plus I’m a night owl so I can work all night and sleep much of the day.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Sharon,
It’s been so enjoyable following all the posts of WAHMs on this meme. I’ll be interested to see how many of us listed the same things. Maybe we can talk Kelly into compiling the stats. What do you think?
I especially like your point that you have a lot of online friends who understand the life of a WAH writer. That is invaluable!
Deb Gallardo
The Story Ideas Virtuoso’s last blog post..Creative Writing Ideas From a Cat Video
June 11th, 2008 at 9:41 am
@ Dana: I don’t know where that came from, but that’s what I feel. I can achieve anything I set my mind to.
@ Lillie: If only I were a night owl, I could achieve so much more, but by the time evening rolls around I’ve had it after getting up at 6am. Of course, I have worked till after midnight occasionally - what writer hasn’t? - but I wouldn’t choose to.
@Deb: I think compiling the stats would make a good follow up posts. I’m always curious to see what other writers think.
June 11th, 2008 at 10:31 am
I work from home too and I cherish peace and quiet. The one thing I would recommend for a home office, above anything else - especially to people who value peace - is to get a good set of noise reduction headphones. I bought the EX-29 Extreme Isolation Headphones and I wear them from after lunch until closing time - about 4 hours when I’m trying to focus on work. I don’t answer phones or anything. That is my productive work time and the headphones really help! They are comfortable and block a ton of noise. They are also a great value.
June 12th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I hear ya. I LOVE working from home. Where else can I work sitting outside, with a nice summer breeze keeping me cool, with a bottle of wine by my side. Ha ha.
Katherine’s last blog post..How Do You Tell People You’re a Writer?
June 12th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
You said it, Katherine, though I don’t drink alcohol and work. It would ruin my concentration.
June 14th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
I don’t *usually* drink and write although last week I did have 2 glasses of wine at the computer on a saturday night and think I wrote some great stuff. Not for a client of course… LOL.
Dana’s last blog post..Figuring Out The Best Time To Do Your Writing Work
June 15th, 2008 at 7:54 am
Sounds like you had some inspiration, Dana.
June 17th, 2008 at 1:11 am
Peace and quiet, no need for makeup (which I love putting on when I’m going out to have fun), laying in bed an extra half hour with my honey after he gets off the night shift and taking a break at 3pm to watch Judge Judy (or catching the French Open or other sporting events that happen during the day).
And oh yeah, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches WHILE I’m watching Judge Judy.
Yuwanda
The Freelance Writer’s Blog’s last blog post..How to Make Money Blogging by Selling Your Blog Posts
June 17th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Good reasons, Yuwanda.
Last week I played hooky for an hour to catch the second half of a movie I’d missed the end of. 
June 17th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Great post. You highlighted all of the perks of this business and then some!
Kimberly’s last blog post..Saying Goodbye: Losing a Client
June 17th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
All great reasons! BTW, I would kill to have that view from my home office and enjoy lunch at the beach…that’s a reason in itself to work from home.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Thanks, Kimberly.
Valencia, I can’t help but agree that that’s a major perk.
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:23 am
Thanks for participating in the ‘Why I Love to Work at Home’ Meme!
Kelly’s last blog post..Work at Home with Direct Sales on the Internet
June 24th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I enjoyed it, Kelly. It’s good to count your blessings from time to time.