The Many Definitions of Working

Lunch

I’ve loved hearing what’s in everyone’s bags! Looks like I’m not the only random one 😉

Pizza, pizza! Ironically this pizza was significantly better reheated than it was last night. Still not good enough to make me go back, but a definite improvement!

Mmm….pesto, artichokes, sundried tomatoes, red peppers…plus whole wheat crust & soy cheese.

And it stayed crispy in the microwave- a nice bonus! 🙂

I think it’s funny- the husband and I have completely different views of “work from home”. He also gets to work at home- but he works for a big company. He can choose whether to go into a real office, or work from his laptop at home. As long as he’s signed in, he’s “working”. Over the past few weeks I’ve spent at home, I’ve realized “working” has many definitions: sleep, gym, ESPN, PS2….and some work here and then. (He’d probably strangle me for saying that. But he knows it’s true. 😉 )

My experience has been quite the opposite…

Work At Home vs Unemployed

The difference may seem obvious, but to those that have never thought about it, it might not be so clear.  I recently transitioned to working at an establishment to working at home, and I’ve come across a lot of other people that work from home as well (probably because I’m just paying more attention.)

The first reaction I get when people find out I work from home is something along the lines of “Your so lucky” or “It must be nice to have so much free time!”

Well I am lucky, but it didn’t fall in my lap- I had to work hard to make it happen and it’s no walk in the park. Second, free time? Yes, I make my own schedule, but I’m still working- not jobless.

I’ve had people coming out of the woodwork asking me to do things because I “don’t have a job”. Of course I don’t mind helping people out, but the same way you can’t leave your office for a few hours every day, neither can I.

Ironically, I spend more hours working now that I’m self-employed than I used to “at work”.  When you work for yourself, you don’t get sick days, you don’t get paid vacation, and if the job’s not done, you don’t get paid.

Before when I was working at a clinic, when I got off, I was done. I could go home relax, cook, clean, do whatever. Now, I’m always thinking of something else I could get done (and I don’t mean the cleaning!)

Sure, I’m working more now because it’s new- eventually I’ll set “working hours”, etc, just like a “real” job, but for now, it’s 24-7.

FYI I’m NOT complaining- working from home isn’t for everybody, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. 🙂

If you work from home, what has your experience been like? How to people react to it? If you don’t work from home, what do you think of people that do?