Places to work when lockdown ends
After being stuck in lockdown for over a year, we may finally be seeing some light at the end of the tunnel (new Covid variants permitting). Things are still subject to change, but the prospect of working from somewhere other than home looks tantalisingly close.
Many will be eager to get straight back to the office (if they still have one). But the office is only one alternative place to work. Here is a list of other potentially great places to work from that aren’t your house or the office.
Cafe or coffee shop
Local cafes can be a great alternative place to work. Most have public wifi and accessible power points. Add in the ready access to drinks and snacks, and you have all you need to work for hours. The background noise is often enough to help you focus but not prevent you from talking. Cafes and coffee shops are great places for meetings, so you can often kill two birds with one stone.
Library
Like cafes, libraries also have wifi and power points for you to use. If you are lucky, your local library may even have dedicated spaces for you to work. Libraries are extremely quiet, giving them a unique atmosphere. The obvious downside is that you can’t easily take calls, although this can be advantageous if you need some dedicated focus time. Lastly, by working from the library, you are using a fantastic local resource that will probably be struggling.
Local Pub
Local pubs have been hit exceptionally hard by the pandemic. Putting some money behind the bar while you get on with some work could be a great way to support your communities local, especially if you go during quiet times. Wifi is unlikely to be an issue, but access to power outlets might be a bit more limited. There will be a wide range of refreshments from the bar and possibly even cooked food if you time it right. Just bear in mind that some pubs may frown upon you getting a laptop out as you nurse half a coke for several hours. If in doubt, call ahead and ask if they welcome remote workers.
Co-Working Space
Co-Working spaces are literally made for people working remotely. They provide all the benefits of working from an office but catered to individuals rather than whole businesses. Co-Working spaces come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s worth checking out a few before deciding which one is right for you. Co-Working spaces tend to come at a cost. Different spaces offer different pricing structures, but fundamentally it is still an office space, and office space is expensive.
Relatives House
Working from a relatives house is another option many people will overlook. Not seeing loved ones has been one of the toughest parts of living through the lockdown. This is especially true for those with elderly relatives. Why not make up for lost time by booking in some regular time to work from their home (provided they don’t mind). You will obviously need to be disciplined about getting some work done, but the flip side means you can spend your breaks catching up with loved ones.
The Park
Working from a park may not be an obvious choice, but it has some serious benefits. Working out in the fresh air can help you focus. Add in the peaceful surroundings and the sunshine, and you have all the ingredients for a really positive experience.
Working from a park suits some types of work and not others. Being able to find a good spot is also a huge factor. Direct sunlight will work wonders for your mood, but not being able to see your laptop screen will quickly frustrate you into submission.
More options than we thought
If this lockdown has taught us anything about the way we work, it’s that we have many more options than we maybe thought. Some are certainly going to be better than others, and they may not suit us all equally, but the only way to find out what workplaces work for us is to give them a try.
