Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the way we work changed overnight into something totally unrecognisable. Gone were the long commutes, the waiting for your coffee before work, the laughs in the staff room or at your desk. For those who still had to go out to work, using PPE, avoiding people as much as possible, and covering ourselves in hand sanitiser all became second nature. For the rest of us, we became imprisoned in our own homes, our only connection with our colleagues coming from video calls, Zoom meetings, and emails.
However, as we gradually got used to this new way of life, we began to see new positives emerge. We could spend more time with our family. We didn’t have to pay for congestion charges, petrol, or train tickets. Gone were the rush hour traffic jams and packed public transport systems. Even better was the flexibility we now had—providing work was done on time, we could work at our own pace and take breaks when we needed.
As we look at this list of benefits, is it any wonder that a recent article from Forbes highlighted that 80% of us want to stick with flexible working from now on? In fact, according to the ONS, the number of hybrid workers has increased since the pandemic subsided: 13% of people were hybrid working in February 2022 but by May 2022, this had increased to 24%.
Despite the popularity of hybrid and remote working, there are still some downsides to being a digital nomad. Combating loneliness is one of the more prevalent problems facing hybrid workers today. One of the best ways to deal with this is to find an appropriate place to work. Here are some to get you started.
1. Coworking Spaces
Coworking spaces have been one of the more popular solutions for flexible working during the pandemic. In a coworking space, individuals get to work independently or as part of a team within an office space. These office spaces are often highly flexible and provide everything you need to ensure you can work efficiently. Coworking spaces let you be in an office environment when you want or need to be in one. They also let you meet other people who are working in a similar way.
2. Coffee Shop
Coffee shops are another popular option for remote workers. Although they may not always provide all the facilities you need, they do have easy access to WiFi and caffeine, which is never a bad thing. If you are someone that doesn’t mind a little bit of noise as you work, then a coffee shop could be an excellent base for you.
3. Desk Rentals
Hot desking is where you rent a desk within an office somewhere for a set period, ensuring you have access to office facilities and services when you need them. This solution is particularly useful for short periods to deal with problems like your home internet going down or your home environment being too noisy for the task at hand.
4. Library
Libraries are quiet and relatively free from distractions, making them ideal for those times when you really need to concentrate. They also have access to free WiFi, let you photocopy and print things, and also provide endless scope for research. However, they are not suited for things like phone calls or virtual meetings, and some of them will not let you eat on the premises.
