Why remote work?

Introduction

First thing first - hello! I tried writing a few times in my life - from play-by-forum RPG games when I was a teenager to some articles and posts on LinkedIn. However, for the last one, I felt like it slowly became Facebook and people are reading mostly about who bought what car and why politicians are... not so good guys. :)

And I am not sure if I like it.

Do not get me wrong, I guess I will be back to LinkedIn but I decided my own place is better for storing my notes, learnings and ideas. Even simple ones, like this one. Take this post as a welcome and start of my blogging here. I am curious what it can bring, but I think that finally it is the time to fill this empty space under /blog URL.

You may wonder why I chose remote work as the first one. I'll tell you - it's important to me. And this way you can see a human behind the code. Isn't that important? And well... Every recruitment process starts from those "who are you" talks, so let's have one!

The freedom

This morning I did not have to go somewhere by car. Instead I took my dog for a walk in the nearby forest. We did 6km on foot and when I was back home I felt refreshed and ready to start my day.

That helps me to clear my mind, calm down and focus on what is ahead of me. And I have comparison because I used to work on-site in the past. I used to spend long minutes in a car, bus or on my feet. I worked 12h shifts and had to travel to work for 1 hour each way.

Believe me then when I say I really appreciate remote work. The time I can spend with my pets instead of alone in a car.

And breaks! I can take a real break when I need one - go for a walk with my dog, play with my cat, or just step outside for fresh air. Not those awkward "let me pretend to look busy while I rest my brain" office breaks. Wondering when my boss will start being suspicious if I even do anything.

And I do, I do much more than I did in the office, but I will go back to it later.

Working from... anywhere?

Okay, I'll be honest - I haven't fully embraced the "digital nomad working from Bali" lifestyle. But the option is there, and that matters. I've worked from different cities, from my parents' house when visiting them, from a friend's place in another country.

The point isn't that I'm constantly traveling. It's that I can. I can visit family for longer without taking vacation days. I can explore new places without putting my career on hold. That flexibility is priceless.

The focus

Here's something I didn't expect: I actually get more done remotely. I know what people like to say about those who work remotely. That we do nothing, and we sit in our pyjamas in front of a laptop. Be honest - that's not true. Well, maybe it is for some of those who work from home.

Definitely not for me.

In an office, there were constant interruptions - someone stopping by my desk, random meetings, the general noise and activity. Don't get me wrong, I like people! But when you're trying to debug a complex issue or plan a new feature, those interruptions kill your flow.

At home, I control my environment. I can have quiet when I need to focus deeply. I can put on music if that helps. I can take a call without worrying about disturbing coworkers or being overheard.

And asynchronous communication? It's a blessing. Instead of being pulled into every discussion in real-time, I can read messages, think about them, and respond thoughtfully. It leads to better decisions and less meeting fatigue.

And I think that all of this is about trust - I am a grown-up person and I like to be treated like that. When I say I will do something, I do it. I do not need anyone to keep an eye on me to check if I am doing my work. Working remotely helps me to figure out if I work in a company that treats me like I want to be treated - like a partner, not someone you need to watch.

People I'd never have met

One unexpected benefit: remote work has connected me with people I never would have worked with otherwise. My colleagues are spread across different countries, different time zones, different cultures. I've learned so much from these diverse perspectives.

In a traditional office, you're limited to people who can physically be there. Remote work opens up the entire world. Some of my best collaborations have been with people I've never met in person.

It's not all perfect

Let me be real for a second - remote work isn't some magical solution to everything. It comes with its own challenges.

Self-discipline is crucial. When your bedroom is 10 steps from your desk, it's easy to blur the lines between work and life. I've had to learn to actually "leave" work at the end of the day, even though I'm not physically leaving anywhere.

Communication takes more effort. You can't just turn to your colleague and ask a quick question. Everything needs to be more intentional. I've had to get better at writing clear messages, over-communicating when needed, and being proactive about staying connected with my team.

And yeah, sometimes I miss the social aspects of an office. The casual conversations, the spontaneous lunch plans, the feeling of being part of a physical team. I've had to be more deliberate about maintaining relationships and not becoming isolated.

But you know what? These challenges have made me better at my job. I'm more organized, more communicative, more independent. I've grown in ways I wouldn't have in a traditional office.

Why it matters

So why does remote work matter to me? Because it lets me live the life I want while doing work I love.

I'm not just a developer who happens to work remotely. Remote work has shaped who I am as a professional and as a person. It's given me the freedom to prioritize what matters, the flexibility to keep learning and growing, and the opportunity to work with amazing people from around the world.

It's not about rejecting offices or traditional work. It's about finding what works best for you. And for me, that's remote work.

This is just my experience - yours might be completely different! What's your take on remote work? Drop a comment below, I'd love to hear your thoughts.