“The State of Remote Work”

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I came across this article on LinkedIn about remote work and it spoke to me. My goal is to work from home and according to this article, I’m not the only one.

Many people say that working from home causes loneliness, a feeling of disconnection from their coworkers and the inability to unplug after the workday is over. I’ve not only heard that from my peers but have read it in this article as well. I can understand these points.

For me, however, it would work. It reduces my carbon footprint, saves on gas, lunch and work wardrobe. If my schedule was also flexible, it would allow for me to take care of personal business without taking PTO. There are so many advantages that I’d be willing to sacrifice some things.

To combat loneliness, for example, its important to only keep in touch with coworkers not only about work matters, but casual chat as well (as long as it doesn’t affect productivity). I believe that the way to feel connected to others is to talk about things that aren’t necessarily work related. We get to find out how others are similar to us, how they differ, and decide who we feel connected to. Work needs to be part of our life; not our entire life. Everyone needs people in their life.

It’s also important to nurture relationships in your personal life. This is another reason I think working remotely is important; it allows you to spend more time with your family and friends. A person with a thriving social life is usually a happy person.

I can understand having trouble unplugging after the workday when you work from home. Its like the difficulty I have unplugging from my job search after spending most of the day searching online and submitting applications. I have no simple advice for remedying this problem other than the obvious…knowing its healthy to unplug at the end of the workday and practice doing it.

I still seek a remote position because I know it will work for me. I’ve done it before and hope to do it again.

When I do, I will have to be sure to heed my own advice!

Michelle Lawson is a seasoned web producer and content manager. She has 8 years experience and expertise in content management systems, branding, project management, writing, and delivering impactful web solutions that enhance brand visibility. She is currently seeking her next opportunity.

Fires!

firefightes in front of raging wildfire

The 2019 fire season is turning out to be particularly active compared to last season. Experts say abundant rain earlier in the year caused significant vegetation growth, providing more fuel for wildfires. The hope was that this season would simply be “challenging” but its turning out to be much more.

The Kincade fire, the largest fire currently burning in the state, is ravaging wine country in Northern California, and is twice the size of San Francisco. It has burned 74,000 acres. 90,000 people have been evacuated. Homes and businesses have been destroyed. Its only 15% contained.

The Getty Fire, northwest of Los Angeles, has burned 658 acres but is only 5% contained so I expect that will rise. The Getty Museum is in danger, and UCLA and Santa Monica College both closed campuses Monday. Several celebrities have had to evacuate and one of my news sources reported that LeBron James and his family fled the fire but were unable to find a hotel room.

The Tick Fire in Santa Clarita has been estimated at 70% contained, but not after burning 4,615 acres and displacing tens of thousand residents. Another round of the famed Santa Ana winds are expected today which, hopefully, will not reduce the containment estimate.

I am a California native. This is the most active fire season I remember. There are over 5,000 wildfires currently burning. To complicate matters, we have been experiencing high winds across the state, and firefighters will be battling wind gusts as well as challenging terrain while fighting the fire.

If you ask me, firefighters are the bravest people I know, and I pray for them all to be safe.