Covid-19 has made a lot of people work from home. And given the current situation, it is hard to predict when things will change. While there are plenty of employees who are happy with this change, not everyone is thriving when they have to spend most of their day at home.
With that said, let’s take a look at some of the disadvantages of working from home.
Sure, some would argue that there is no real difference between being stuck in an office and at home. But a work environment is different from what we associate our homes with. In fact, there are quite a few advantages when you have to do your job at home.
Disadvantage #1 – A lot of Distractions
Being a freelancer has its advantages, but if you are working from home, you are more likely to encounter various distractions. Just the fact that you work at home, something you think of as a place of rest, is one big distraction.
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There might be times when you cannot find the motivation to finish everything on time. Moreover, not having a supervisor who keeps things in check is also a big problem for some. In other words, not everyone has the necessary discipline.
You need to have a dedicated workspace. Perhaps renting an office somewhere could be a good idea? Explore available options.
Disadvantage #2 – You Can Feel a Bit Lonely
Lack of interactions with coworkers is one of the biggest disadvantages. In an article of self-employment explained by Letstalkaboutmoney, it is emphasized that having the freedom to work on your own is what being a freelancer is about. However, you will not have as many opportunities to talk with others.
Leaving your old job means that you might have some colleagues to get back to and talk now and then. However, it does not feel as natural to some, and they simply grow apart without opportunities to meet in person every day.
Moreover, the environment itself can be pretty rough. You may find yourself stuck between four walls, thinking that others have a more interesting work environment, whereas you are all alone.
Disadvantage #3 – Social Life Takes a Hit
Your social life will not be as prosperous as before. Like already mentioned, you will no longer be interacting with people at work. As such, there will be fewer opportunities to get together.
Also, freelancers tend to work longer in some cases, or at least plan their schedule so that they end up working later than those at a 9 to 5 job.
Lastly, if you have a family, they might not receive as much attention from you. And things will be even worse if your significant other works on a different schedule than you.
Disadvantage #4 – You Need to Do All the Things
Being a freelancer usually means that you have to take care of everything. Looking for clients, finishing projects before deadlines, creating and sending invoices – all of this is your responsibility.
Sure, there are those who hire help, such as a virtual assistant. However, you will need to pay this person, and that can be a big hit for your income.
Disadvantage #5 – Determining Prices Can Be Hard
One of the more annoying things when you freelance is determining the price for your services. Not every client is willing to pay what you are asking, and they will try to bargain. It is easy to disregard such clients by saying that the price is set in stone, and you will not change it. But then you risk losing a potential client.
The situation is quite different when you are not the one in charge of determining prices. Not to mention how much of a problem this becomes for you when you are in a competitive field.
Disadvantage #6 – Things Can Get Stressful
Small little mistakes and other annoyances can grow into bigger problems. Stress is something you experience in virtually every job. However, there have been plenty of cases when people who went freelance could not take it anymore and had to revert back to a regular 9 to 5 job because of all the stress. Handling everything on your own can become too much. But having emotional support could help you get through some stressful situations. For instance, adopting a dog like a Labrador since it is one of the best emotional support dogs for anxiety and stress.
Disadvantage #7 – There Are Risks Involved
As expected, there are risks involved. If you jumpstart into a freelance career as a writer, things might be going swimmingly for you for months, but then something bad happens, like a change in the industry, and you are no longer needed.
Yes, such things happen in other jobs as well, but you might not have a backup plan. On top of that, not all potential employers might value your freelancing experience, especially if you do not have previous client testimonials to back you up.
Disadvantage #8 – Insolvent Clients
You are likely to encounter clients who do not pay. And dealing with those is the worst feeling. Once again, it is something you would have to take care of yourself. Hiring outside help, such as a lawyer, is a lot of trouble as well.
Final Thoughts On Disadvantages of Working From Home
Some companies seeing a lot of benefits of working remotely for both employers and employees. But there’s another side of the coin. Working remotely isn’t fit for some business. Check this post on tips for finding the right side hustle in retirement.
