Get Mobile and Stay Home

Figure 1: Boring. Beige.  Business Wear. 

One big reason I have resisted working in a traditional job is that I hate dressing up.  Especially if the word "appropriately" enters the conversation. 

Business casual, skirt suits, hosiery, shoes that clack?  I can't stand them.  I feel like I'm wearing a costume.

It's one of the many reasons I relish working from home.  And why I'm so glad to live in an age when wireless connectivity makes it possible for me to wear thrift store rags 7 days a week.

The Economist has a special report on The New Nomadism, and how people are increasingly leaving the traditional workplace and flying out on wings made of wi-fi. 

The report goes into great detail about how our gadgetry does threaten some social linkages that are important, but I could only think of the bright side when it comes to staying at home:

* eating your own home-cooked meal, from food sources you are aware of, that involves less packaging

* not driving (and at upwards of 3 bucks a gallon, the planet AND your wallet will breathe a sigh of relief)

* not sitting in traffic, which is a huge, boring time-waster

* taking refreshing breaks in your own garden or neighborhood

* being able to maintain home tasks like switching loads of laundry and or rising bread

* spending less on cubicle couture and wearing consignment rags or jammies to your heart's content

Some of us won't be able to work like this.  If you work in a restaurant, retail store or factory, you kinda gotta be there.  But for those of us in the knowledge-based industries, spending even one day at home reduces your consumption and stress level both.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Comments

[niki]

I hear you on that one. It is slowly switching to that but it is a very slow process indeed. So many call centres would benefit from this and save so much money enabling them to keep the jobs in this country instead of going overseas. Also I am glad you are back, I missed getting a chuckle out of your posts. I love secondhand stuff and get a kick out of laughing about it. Great blog and I tell everyone about it...especially my thrift store pals.

[Secondhand Nation]

Thanks for the comment; yes, I'm glad to be back at the old blog. My father had a triple bypass, so we've been caught up in our own drama in caring for him as he recovers.

*written to you in my $5 t-shirt and barefeet!

[Lauren]

Wow, I can totally relate. I've been working at home for almost 5 years now but I wasn't really conscious of all those benefits right away. I'm at a place now where I'm making a list and finding that there's almost no end to it! Getting to wear thrifted clothes every day (and throw out concepts like "work appropriate") is one of those bonuses that I love. Taking it a step further, I feel that gives an added benefit of peace of mind because I'm not participating in the fashion/shopping mindset. Now that gave me a headache.
Thanks for reminding me how endlessly thankful that I can be by just waking up and working from home.

*Written in thrifted PJ bottoms, a reconstructed vintage eBay shirt, not a drop of makeup, and no damn heels. Oh yah.

[Secondhand Nation]

I agree with you about the fashion/shopping mindset. In an office environment, you tend to judge yourself against the cute outfits of your co-workers and are on a constant search for the best pieces to "complete" your wardrobe. Which is never complete, as styles change!

I would rather chase around fashion from the thrifty, informal end, versus seeking out "appropriate" business wear that'll knock my fellow cubefarmers dead. Boring!

[LynnAlexander]

They always talk about the social sacrifices, but there are some positive social benefits that are often forgotten as the critics of these trends have their say. Being local for children, getting them off the bus, some flexibility for self care and appointments, we have new ways to communicate now that are pretty exciting. I would never suggest that the work expectation should decrease, but if the job can be done, and well- it is great for people that can get this arrangement.

It's great that some of the business travel and waste will continue to decrease as people have virtual meetings.

[Carrie]

I agree with you. The majority of our populace held hostage in traffic can't be good for our collective health, can it?

And I think people underestimate how much people work in offices. When I worked in offices, I spent a fair amount of desk time checking my bank balance, calling for personal appointments, emailing friends and family, etc.