Summer Net-working

So, in the few weeks that I have worked almost exclusively from home, I’ve learned quite a bit. That has to sound ridiculous, but it’s true.

One of the first grand realizations that I have come to is just how social of a person I am. I distinctly remember longing for alone time not too long ago because I thought that was what I wanted. But I was wrong–so very wrong. Now, during the daily long hours of solitude when I have just my laptop for companionship, I find myself actually turning on daytime television (a.k.a. soap operas as my family doesn’t have cable or satellite) just so that it sounds like there are other people around.

Now, to be fair and reasonable, I am talking about two extremes here. While in D.C. I was pretty much never alone for long and now I’m alone for the majority of my days. But I was far happier (albeit more tired) when constantly surrounded by people than I am when constantly left to my own devices. And this revealation isn’t a bad thing by any means. In fact, I’d say it’s far better for me to know this about myself.

The second major epiphany that has come to me is that life is better with a structured schedule. My first few weeks I just worked as the whim struck me–I got all of my hours in, but they were patchwork and erratic. Nevertheless, that in and of itself wouldn’t have been too horrible, except that it meant that I accomplished next to nothing beyond my work and facebook stalking my friends. Let me tell you, people start to notice and object when you don’t get your laundry done and dirty dishes begin to frame your workspace, even when you work from home.

Finally, it is incredibly hard to justify a “sick day” when you’re just staying home anyway. I’m just now getting over a bout of tonsilitis (in MAY! I mean, who does that?) and for a few days I really didn’t want to get off of the couch. But I sat there feeling mildly guilty that I was not out at my computer puttering around with something, being somewhat productive.

All of these realizations still do not outweigh the fact that my transportation costs are pretty much nil, however, with a fill-up at the gas pump now costing you your first born child. So I’m still getting a great deal.