3 reasons why it would seriously make sense to consider a $20,000 pay cut to work from home

So, working from home is not for everyone.  It works amazing for me but I know a lot of my friends and colleagues who cannot wait to get back to the office.  For me, this time has reminded me of the 4 years I worked from home earlier in my career. Not only am I just as productive (in the ways my company cares about) but I also get to live according to my values and have the time and space to be my best self.

• Going into the office costs me about $1000 per month in parking, eating out, Starbucks, and pup care. Now, some of these expenses are completely my choice. I could bring lunch in.  I could not go to Starbucks – I don’t as often when I’m home.  And by the way, that’s not considering other expenses that I know I incur – gas, car maintenance, dry cleaning, work clothes, etc.  That $1,000 of my take-home pay equates to about $20,000 per year of my salary.
• Working from home gives me at least 3 hours more every day – commute time and my lunch hour. That’s about 15 hours a week (12 for me because I was working from home one day a week before). With those hours, I’m cooking more.  I’m exercising more.  I’m sleeping more.  I have time to take my pup for a walk on a beautiful sunny morning.  I’m healthier. (My house is messier though.  It goes to show you- it’s not the time you have, it’s all about how you use it.)
• I am better able to be my best self and live in alignment to my values and priorities. Some of this is time. I have more time to take care of myself.  But, it’s more than that.  While I’m on a call, I stroll around my house – I’m getting more steps in.  I can step outside and take in some fresh air.  I can throw a load of laundry in the washer or unload the dishwasher.  I don’t come home to all these things I have to do that just overwhelm me. I’m overall just less stressed out.  I feel healthier physically, mentally, and emotionally. As an introvert, I get to spend my interaction energy in the way I want to.  When I go into the office, I usually get home and am exhausted.  I feed myself and the pups, watch some TV and go to bed.  I don’t want to interact with anyone.  I don’t want to call my family or friends.  I just want to be.  Now, I have the energy at the end of the day to interact with the people I care about.  My workplace doesn’t get all of the best me.  My friends and family are enjoying some of her too.  I like this version of me too. 

I do miss face time with my colleagues but even when I worked from home before I would go into the office a couple times a month.  There are some conversations that are just better in person.  I also want to continue to invest time in building relationships and mentoring - all of that is better in person.  The difference is those days felt special.  I still remember how excited I was to wear a suit!  There is a balance.  I think the difference is that I want it to be my choice.  I want to decide when it’s best for me to work from home so I can get work done or if I want to go into the office so I can better collaborate with my team.  It is my hope that this time has shown corporate America that they can give their employees the best of both worlds if they allow us to choose where we work.  For some this will continue to be in an office building.  For some it will be home.  But, by allowing us to choose, they will get more of the best of us.