Why your next move should be a 9 to 5 from home

5 reasons to change your life

A brief about how I got here: I’ve been chasing a remote job for the past year. I believe, now, I’ve got the best of both worlds: a steady income and the freedom to be flexible with my location. As a pharmacist, I would work from 9 am to 7 pm and sometimes later without a lunch break. Here are the five advantages I’ve found which have been truly life-changing.

1. Cut the commute
   Waking up at 7 am, rushing out the door at 8 am, waiting for the train. It’s all a bit of a bother. You’re stressed out before your foot is through the door at work. Even worse, you might be late. With a remote 9 to 5, you only need to worry about your internet connection and an electricity supply.
2. Work from anywhere
   Take your company laptop with you to your favourite cafe, the park or even your garden. The fantasy can become a reality. If you want to change country or location, you won’t even have to use up any precious paid holidays.
3. Uninterrupted lunch hour
   A lunch hour is an absolute luxury. Even better, save your money and cook at home. There’s no need to worry about preparing meals the night before or where to go to pick something up. On top of eating at my own pace, I can stretch, go for a walk or simply sit back and relax- a proper break away from work with the laptop firmly shut.
4. Comfort
   I do not miss wearing a facemask. It’s actually refreshing to see people’s full faces on zoom. There is no need to clean obsessively because the idea of a virus particle on my desk is now a distant memory.
5. Side hustles
   All that extra time saved from getting ready or commuting can be built up to enjoy hobbies or even build a side hustle. If you need the extra time, now you have it. Otherwise, catch up with friends and family or finally get round to learning that new language or skill you’ve had on the backburner for umpteen months.

I’m a beginner, so I’m sure there are more I can think of, but for those who have been in this for a long time — what do you think are some I might have missed which have changed your life?