Yes, I love being around people. No, I'm not going back to the office.

Hey reader,

Waking up at the crack of dawn to catch the train, passing by the same old shops and cafes, waiting in line for a mediocre cup of coffee, and leaving the office in a rush only to get home too late for dinner, hobbies, exercise, or relax. If these things make you queasy, then welcome to the office life haters club!

Most of the job posts I’ve come across on LinkedIn are hybrid nowadays. The majority of the coolest jobs are in London, so if you’re unable to commute, you’re often out of luck. At least, this is the trend in the UK. My husband commutes to London once a week, spending an average of 4 hours on the train and almost £300 a month on train tickets. He doesn’t mind it; he enjoys changing his environment and catching up with his colleagues.

This is true for many of us, especially extroverts who thrive on the energy of others to recharge. And then there are people like me, extroverts by nature who feel repulsed by the idea of an office. Why is that?

Work talk vs. friend talk

Don’t get me wrong; I loved my colleagues, but talking about work in person doesn’t fulfil my need for genuine human connection. Sometimes it’s fine, but most of the time, I’m happier discussing work behind my laptop. One of the happiest times of my life was when I freelanced at a co-working space in Brighton. I had the best of both worlds; I could get the job done while talking to friends about things beyond work. Sure, you can still have fun with your work peers, but let’s be honest: 90% of the time, you’re going to talk about work.

Offices are sad

You can make my office feel like a hotel, a flower shop, or a fancy café, but it’s still a bloody office full of laptops, chairs, and desks. There’s nothing inspiring, motivating, or comfortable about it.

And how about the commute?

People say they enjoy their commute time to think, read a book, or listen to music, but let’s be honest. I’m much happier doing these things from my bed or on a morning walk! I don’t need to be forced onto a train, bus, or car to unwind.

Flexible working doesn’t work

Hybrid or flexible working seems like the way to go, but the reality is often different. Most people come into the office on different days, so you may not see all your colleagues, giving that desert office vibe.

So, the moral of the story is this: I’m absolutely sold on the idea of working from cafés, co-working spaces, friends’ houses, or anywhere I can talk about whatever I want and take a break from work. If my office were right in front of my house, I’d be there for sure. But since that’s not always possible, I’m still better off working from my home office.

What’s your take on hybrid work? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

All the best,

Sara