I started a new job, as a Social Media Analyst, in July; A really interesting, every-day-is-different sort of job and I love it. I work a mixture of shifts; early mornings, late nights, days and weekends. The hours that I work mean that during the school holidays I am here, at home, with the children.
My work pattern also means that when the children are at school, I am here, at home, for 7 hours a day, alone. I tell you what … I bet most of you would kill for 7 hours a day to do whatever you want with. I’m here to tell you it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
I’ve noticed, since I became a work at home recluse; I am no longer on Twitter ALL THE TIME, I don’t spend as much time blogging, I take too much interest in the neighbours’ daily schedules, I’ve thought about having gin with my breakfast cereal, I’m not laughing enough, I’ve realised that when the house is quiet I can hear everything the neighbours are doing next door and I listen to Radio 4 way more than I probably should.
Although I’m managing to get on with writing projects it’s too bloody quiet; no children asking for a drink/sliced apple/emergency mediator, no desperate cries of “Muuuuuuum” from two floors away, no small people asking to share your chair/lunch/iphone/laptop/secret stash of Crunchie bars.
“It sounds like Heaven” I hear you cry.
For the first week it was bliss, but now? I miss the noise, the hustle and bustle, the warmth that comes from small children sitting on my knee, the crazy conversations and the giggling. I also took for granted banter, work gossip and laughter with colleagues the past 16 years.
I have considered installing a water cooler in the living room with a series of cardboard cutout colleagues to talk to. On Monday, the cardboard cutout, who I would name Tara Masalata, would tell me what she got up to at the weekend. I would tell her that perhaps her upper lip was in need of a wax. On Tuesday, Corey Ander, the work experience boy would tell me some inane gossip about the managing director and his secretary. Oh how we would laugh. I reckon by Thursday my cardboard cutout colleague, who would look a lot like George Clooney, would suggest we ditch work for the afternoon and have a party. We’d fill the water cooler with gin, eat cheese straws and dance to early 90s classics. By Friday I’d be all laughed out and most likely sectioned under the mental health act.
So there you go, be careful what you wish for … unless it’s cardboard, looks a lot like George Clooney carrying a box of cheese straws and a large bottle of gin.
25 Comments on "It’s not all it’s cracked up to be …"
I don’t want to say I told you so….
For those who don’t know me as the other half – I’ve been working at home, alone, since 2005. Someone mentioned motivation – bang on – it’s so difficult, even for someone who enjoys their own company as I do (I devour music to compensate).
It is largely to blame for me becoming a manically depressed, ogre-shaped empty shell. Well, not quite. But, after running your own business for so many years (12 in total) it’s virtually impossible to say bugger it I’ll go work for someone else again. And having done the employing people thing, morphing from Creative Director into HR Manager, even considering going down that route again fills me with dread. Reading comments here about slacking off at work and social media sucking employees time and productivity into the ether, doesn’t sit well with me either.
So, basically, I feel somewhat trapped by my career path. Believe it or not, speaking with an Indian supplier is the highlight of my working day.
Not sure, sis-in-law, that ‘married office share’ would be the answer – but we could give it a go!
I work from home and find it so boring, lonely and demotivating….I too felt that it would be fantastic to have work life balance, but i just dont seem to be able to get my self going !!! Spend most of my time looking out the window or messaging friends on Facebook……I NEED A LIFE !!!
Fab post! My mum has recently taken up to working on her own, and she misses the colleagues and chatter of a working environment! So much so that when I go home to visit, well, she’s got plenty to talk about!!!!
As your other half also works at home I notice his missing from your daily routine. Think of the opportunties of naughtiness you can now have over the proverbial water cooler, far more exciting. Slipping out for one can have much wider connotations. *cough
I know exactly what you mean. I’ve been self-employed working from home for over four years. I’m currently looking fior a full-time position outside the home. One reason for that is that I don’t see another adult at all, and I’m a single parent so it is incredibly isolating. There are many positives in working from home. But it’s not for me anymore. Except during the summer holidays, then I take it all back. It’s much easier to be at home then.
It’s swings and roundabouts isn’t it? I’ve tried all sorts of work situations and this is the one that should be perfect … and it is … in the main. I just need to move my laptop to a more exciting place I think. Salts Mill, where I took you, is my plan!
hehehehe
really you only think about having gin with your cereal? I moved past that stage long ago and am onto the reality! – join me…..
I’m with you, I just can’t fully admit to it here, on this blog, for fear of Social Services visiting.
Oh I just did admit it.
My step mum is self-employed and she goes to networking meetings and stuff which are arranged by local business societies. She says its good because she gets something out of it from the networking point of view and has chance to interact with many different types of people. Maybe you could give something like that a try?
I’m thinking of going and sitting in a local cafe, or the bookshop next week. I’m sure that watching life go by and people watching will do me the world of good!
I do the same, three days a week. I work in the room at the front of the house so I see everything that goes on in our road. I am officially the nosiest neighbour, curtains up so I don’t even have to twitch them. Some days I love the peace in the house, other days I long for chaos. Gin in the water cooler….jackpot.
I love the fact that you’ve cut out the middle man. Why twitch curtains when you don’t have to. next you’ll be telling me you have a pair of binoculars on your desk…
I know exactly what you mean – I can work at home happily for a day but after much longer I miss having real people to talk to
Do like the idea of cardboard cut outs
maybe I could start up a cardboard cutout etsy shop … for those in need.
I’ll be your cardboard cutout! I can’t think of an interesting name for myself to rival any of the above.
On the plus side, even if you’re laughing less you’re still equally adept at making me laugh. Does this compensate?
Good post *golf clap*
I’d love a Glenda cutout. We could gurn together at the water cooler.
Is there a library where you could go to work during the day just to have a little human interaction?
We have a library … though probably too quiet. I’m thinking of visiting the local bookshop and cafe next week. They both have places I can sit and watch the world go by.
I have to admit when I first started reading I did think, what are u on about ?!, it sounds like bliss! Just thinking of all the things I could actually “finish” without being force feed plastic donuts, being yelled at to ” play-mummy, plaaaaaaaay wiv me!!!” and having my hair constantly pulled ( I have bald patches) by my nearly 3 yr old.
) x
But your right after a while I would really miss the special happy ( manic) atmospher created by little people. They stop you taking everyday life so serious I think… That said, I still wouldn’t mind the odd day to myself… So if your really, really missing the sound of tiny feet … You can always borrow milly , no payment necessary
Send her over! I like plastic donuts. Delicious.
When they’re homem of course I sometimes yearn for some quiet time.
You just can’t win at this mothering/working lark
Just replace gin for Baileys on the rice crispies and I am with you (it looks kind of like coco pops so the children are none the wiser, but tastes so much better)
I work from home and have the added benefit of working with my husband. We do different jobs but how many other lucky married couples spend 3ft from their amour all day, every day. The upside is that we cann do things together during the day when we’d otherwise need a babysitter. The downside is that we work 3ft apart from each other all day, every day.
I really miss that Friday feeling that comes with working in an office. I suspect my Baileys and coco pops breakfast choice would be frowned on though.
Thanks for the Baileys tip
My Husband works from home, 3 floors up in the attic. I’m going to suggest he takes me out for lunch, that’ll helpo break up the day … and we could actually have a conversation!
Let twitter be your water cooler (water not supplied)
I like that idea, although Twitter can be such a time bandit when I’m trying to work!