I admit it: the novelty of working from home has worn off a bit.
While it’s still cool to work in my PJs or watch TV in the background some days, my productivity and focus have waned some since those initial WFH days. (Note: I started working at home in 2019 in a salaried position before switching to freelance work where I have worked from home ever since.)
Considering that the percentage of employees working exclusively remotely has steadily decreased since the height of the pandemic, others may feel the same. Data from 2023 found that only about 30% of employees prefer fully remote work—most people don’t want to work from home all the time. They want some level of in-person and in-office work.
The BBC reported on “the people who hate working from home,” who cited reasons like missing social interaction and not being able to separate work and home life as a push to get back into the office.
I’ve noticed these things, too.
Since realizing working from home caused a downtick in energy and output, I’ve commenced “Operation Get Out Of The House.” It’s exactly what it sounds like—an attempt to leave the house more frequently, with the goal to improve my quality of work and life.
Here’s why you may need to do the same, plus the pros and cons of five places I like to work from.
You need a change of scenery, and so do I
I don’t presume to understand every person and their work preferences or style. 100% remote work might really work for you. You may thrive in your home office and not need to shake things up.
If that’s you, you can skip the rest of this article.
I’m speaking to those of us who work remotely and mostly independently (i.e., freelance, solopreneur, small teams, few meetings). I’m speaking to those of us who don’t need to be at home (i.e., childcare and household responsibilities). And I’m speaking to those who are physically and financially able to work elsewhere (i.e., no accessibility requirements, allowed/able to work in a new location, can afford the cost to work outside your home).
The best work arrangement is, ultimately, what works for you. That’s going to look different for each person.
However I believe there is a large group of people who are not thriving in a WFH scenario, and these three reasons explain why:
1. We are social creatures: Research strongly backs up our gut knowledge that social interaction is important. Two studies published in 2021 found that people who socialized had better health. Interestingly, this phenomenon was only to a certain point—additional socializing over several times a month did not have proportional effects.
Unfortunately, as a society, we are socializing less than ever before. A study spanning 2003-2020 found that social isolation increased and social engagement and companionship decreased across US demographics. Notably, this is a trend that started long before the pandemic.
- Key takeaway: Socializing is important, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a lot to make a difference. A little meaningful connection goes a long way. Integrating socializing into your workday is a key way to chip away at the downward trend of social isolation.
2. We need novelty: Creativity and innovation require external input. It’s almost impossible to have unique ideas without something that triggers them. Conversations with other people, new activities, and written or visual media can all help trigger unique ideas. Another big one is your environment and physical space.
Psychology Today articulates three science-backed ways the environment boosts creativity and highlights nature, urban environments, and novel places as things to prioritize. Getting out of the same-old, same-old is a great way to level up your work life.
- Key takeaway: Our brains are wired to access creativity through our external environment. A novel space can help unlock innovative thoughts and ideas and overcome whatever your version of “writer’s block” is.
3. We can’t multitask: A benefit of working from home is multitasking with work and home tasks—taking a call while folding your laundry, starting dinner in between tasks, or tidying up in the middle of the day.
But is it really a benefit? Research tells us that most people cannot effectively multitask because our brains evolved to single task only. Getting out of the house to prioritize deep, focused work can be a way to combat the temptation to multitask while at home.
- Key takeaway: We often believe we can effectively multitask and the temptation to do so while working at home is strong. The truth is most of us aren’t good at it, so it’s better to prioritize work at work, home at home—getting out of the house to separate work from home life can help.
Getting out of your house for any part of your workday can address these things. It increases interpersonal connections, fosters creativity, and prevents multitasking.
Five cool places to work outside of your house
If getting out of the house can have such a positive impact, the question becomes not “if” you should do so, but “where” to go!
This is not an exhaustive list, it’s my list of places I’ve tried during Operation Get Out of The House. It’s ranked by preference and includes some pros and cons:
1. Coffee Shop
It’s a no-brainer and the go-to of the remote professional. It seems like any coffee shop I go to these days is full of laptop professionals, working hard or hardly working.
I list it here because it’s my go-to option with a ton of pros:
- Coffee and food, of course
- WiFi and outlets (usually)
- Pleasant environment
- Comfortable background noise
- Comfortable seating
There are also two main cons:
- Distracting place to have a meeting
- Restricted space or time—not enough seats or pressure to only stay for a short time
Depending on where you live, you may have several coffee shops nearby, which helps increase the novelty factor and boost creativity. Just don’t rely on them for your deep work or meetings that require deep focus.
2. Coworking Space
I place this option second because if not for the #1 con (listed below), I would use a coworking space as my go-to option to get out of the house.
Coworking spaces are shared work environments where you have access to workspace, coffee, communal lounges, printing services, etc. for a monthly membership fee.
This all-inclusive membership is one of the biggest pros, along with:
- Opportunities for networking, whether organically or through organized events
- Access to multiple locations (depending on coworking space)
- No restrictions on space, time, or availability
- Add-on services like bookable meeting rooms
- Upgrade options to a dedicated desk or private office
I was a member at WeWork for about six months on a promotional rate. I enjoyed the environment, found it to be productive, and met some cool professionals. It did not, in my opinion, offer enough to offset the one and only con:
- Cost
People may see other cons, too, but this is the most glaring one. Coworking memberships run you around $400/month where I live in Vancouver, BC. I also paid for the cost of getting to my coworking space as it wasn’t within walking distance—almost another $100.00/month for transit costs.
At this point in my life and career, the coworking space wasn’t offering an extra $400 of value compared to what I could get spending $100 or so at coffee shops through the month.
3. Library
Another great option to get out of the house—for free!—is the library. Yep, the good ol’ public library. I like it because of these pros:
- Free
- Great WiFi and outlets
- Quiet, productive environment
- Resources and information
- Opportunity to support your community!
The library is such a great resource in the community—one of the only public spaces where everyone is welcome and no one needs to pay or do anything to be there. However, there are some cons to consider:
- May not be able to bring food or drinks inside
- Might be too quiet at times
- Doesn’t have the same ~vibes~ as a cafe
4. Friend’s House
Of the options on this list, this is one of the most under-utilized options. Many of us have friends who also work remotely and it’s time to join forces! I occasionally go over to a friend or family member’s house with my laptop to set up for the day.
Here are the pros I’ve noticed:
- Built-in socialization during breaks or after the workday
- Accountability, feedback, or advice from someone you trust
The cons include:
- May not have a comfortable work setup, so you need to sit on the couch or at the kitchen counter
- Distractions chatting with a loved one!
- Feels similar to being in your own home
5. Brewery
I love visiting breweries and am lucky to live in a city with lots of them. I’ve only discovered them as a workplace recently, so I’m looking forward to exploring more options.
Here are the pros I see so far:
- The vibe is there—relaxed, chill, good times
- Beer
- Comfortable seats and outlets (usually)
- Something out of the ordinary
There are some cons, too:
- The vibe is great, but sometimes it’s not a working vibe—people can be too loud or you may feel out of place sitting on a laptop. Evaluate your brewery and make sure laptops are welcome there.
- Can be noisy.
- Some are not set up with outlets for your computer.
The list of places to get out of your house and work is never-ending. Other popular options to consider include your university or college, recreation centres, hotels, restaurants, art galleries and museums, outside in a park, and the list goes on.
Prioritizing getting out of the house to work has become a non-negotiable for me. It’s part of my self-care routine because it supports my mental health and productivity. A new environment sparks creativity, helps fill the need for connection, and supports my productivity and focus—a true win-win-win scenario.
What’s your work routine? Do you like working from home? Do you need to embark on an Operation Get Out of The House? Do you have any recommendations for me to try out and work from?
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