“That’s the great irony of letting passionate people work from home. A manager’s natural instinct is to worry about his workers not getting enough work done, but the real threat is that too much will likely get done.” – Jason Fried

As a writer, I have always worked from wherever my laptop is. This, as we know, is becoming more and more common. In the early days, I would work from home. I loved having my home comforts near me, being able to type in my pyjamas and actually cook lunch instead of grabbing yet another egg and cress sandwich (still a fan, just not every day, please!).

However, as the months pressed on, pandemics happened, children came along and I was out in the world less, and less, and less… the shine of working from my living room wore off. The flat was getting cluttered and messy, and so I was becoming increasingly distracted. My PlayStation session at lunchtime sometimes drifted from half an hour to three hours. Being in my old shorts and baggy T-shirts all day didn’t make me feel good.

What was clear was that I needed to get dressed and get out in the world. Better job satisfaction and productivity depended on me separating my home space from my workspace as often as possible. And so, today, I spend the majority of my time working from home, away from my home.

So, if you recognise this scenario and are struggling with where to work, or if you are simply looking for some fresh options, this might be a handy post for you.

1. Workspaces

As I write I am sitting in a workspace. These take many forms and come with varying benefits and price points. This one is at the back of a bar/bistro in South London. They have a dedicated workspace at the back of the building, and allow you to drink endless coffee, eat one of their delicious lunch options and use their super-speedy Wi-Fi for £15 a day. This is a treat for me, but it is well worth it. There are no other distractions here (other than the internet) to divert me from work, and it is quite simply a calmer, more inspiring place to be than my dining room table. It also helps to be surrounded by other people who are also focusing on their workday.

Workspaces can be found all over the place, and I encourage you to look up your nearest one. They really do elevate your focus, resilience and your happiness during a workday. There is also something about having paid to be here that makes me want to get my money’s worth (how British of me).

2. Libraries

For a free workspace, you might want to consider your local library. Libraries, as a community resource, I think are insanely underrated. I work from mine on a regular basis, and, although not as fancy as my chosen workspace, and less the catering, it serves as a quiet, clean and focused space.

3. Café’s

I often start the day in a café. Just like the previous two, it really helps one to feel like you are part of the wider world. That sense of connection certainly helps lift my mood and sense of purpose. Each day spent in a public place makes me feel so much more resilient against what life slings at you.

I like cafés when I am doing particularly creative work as they are less formal than libraries and workspaces. More bustling and energetic. Some days, this just suits my mood and my creative requirements better.

4. Galleries

For inspiration, these are the places. I am lucky enough to be a mere handful of miles away from central London. The National Gallery is, on a good day, a forty-minute bus ride, door-to-door. If you are writing a piece of non-fiction, there is no better place to explore your ideas than when sitting next to a depiction of an epic battle in oils.

5. Parks

When the weather is nice, I have a favourite bench. It is by the duck lake in my local park. It is sheltered by trees but lets in dappled sunlight. I sit in the secluded spot with a coffee and write as the ducks quack in the distance. Sure, there is no internet, but sometimes that’s just fine. The beauty of not being tied to a place of work is that you can ditch the idea of a building altogether.

By Chris Thomson

 

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