I went fully remote five years ago and I've never wanted to go back. But the first year was rough in ways I didn't anticipate.
The Commute Was Load-Bearing
The thing nobody tells you is that the commute — annoying as it was — did real work. It was a forced transition between home-brain and work-brain. Without it, those two states bleed into each other badly.
I replaced it with a 20-minute walk before I open my laptop. Non-negotiable. It sounds fussy until you realise how much cognitive separation it buys you.
You Have to Manufacture Serendipity
The spontaneous hallway conversation that solves a problem in 30 seconds doesn't exist remotely. You have to be intentional about connection — regular check-ins, optional video calls, a culture of over-communicating what you're working on.
This isn't worse than the office. It's just different, and you have to do it on purpose.
Time Zones Are Mostly Fine, Until They're Not
Working across time zones is manageable day-to-day. It becomes a real problem in crisis situations, when you need everyone in the same conversation at the same time. Think about this before you need it.
The Home Office Is Worth the Investment
I spent 18 months working from a kitchen table before I set up a proper desk in a separate room. The productivity difference was immediate and significant. Treat your workspace like the tool it is.
Deep Work Is Actually Easier
This is the underrated upside. No open-plan noise, no shoulder-taps, no impromptu meetings. When I need four hours of uninterrupted focus, I can have it. That's rare in an office and routine at home.