The Good, The Bad & The In-Between of Working Online
Have you ever imagined swapping your daily commute for a workday that starts wherever you open your laptop? Globally, remote work has evolved from a trend to a lifestyle and, thanks to advancements in technology, it is growing rapidly. But working online, whether as a freelancer or remote employee, is not all beach shorts and freedom. Sometimes, it comes with some challenges as well.
Before we look at some of the common challenges of remote work, let us consider the good side.
🌟 The Good: Freedom & Excitement at Your Fingertips
Work from ANYWHERE: For many, the best thing about working remotely is that you can work from anywhere. No sitting for hours each week in traffic or picking out fresh clothing for each work day. As long as you have your work tools and internet connection, you can make your office anywhere.
Flexible Work Schedules: The 9-5 grind is slowly becoming less popular, especially with the majority of the gen-z population. Today, flexible working schedules win. Young professionals are leaving the traditional office space to work from their preferred location, on their preferred time.
Global Collaboration & Cultural Exposure: As more companies and teams are beginning to open their doors to talent from different corners of the world, the workplace is becoming more culturally diverse, giving room to more nuanced collaboration among colleagues.
Cost Savings: Without having to constantly commute to work, employees are saving more money and companies are spending less operational costs.
There are, however, some challenges that come with working entirely online.
⚠️ The Bad: Real-World Challenges of Working Online
Work-Life Boundaries Blur: Many remote workers complain about the blur in work-life boundaries. When your home becomes your office, it is easy to spend more time working than usual, obliterating the sense of rest after work.
Connectivity Issues: Another common challenge with working remotely is with internet coverage. In many cases, internet coverage is limited or unstable / unreliable. For many freelancers and remote workers, this is the biggest challenge faced while working online.
Limitations with Collaboration: Yes, technologically, we have come a long way, but sometimes, collaboration can be limited, especially when it comes to brainstorming and getting better context in one-on-one conversations.
⚖️ The In-Between: Balancing the Ups & Downs
Self-Motivation & Discipline: Remote work isn’t a free pass to do as you please. Without a supervisor peeking over your shoulder, you must cultivate self-discipline. Some days, you’ll feel laser-focused; other days, distractions at home will beckon. Learning to structure your day using time-blocking techniques, to-do lists, or productivity apps, can help you stay on track. However, this level of self-management isn’t for everyone, and it takes time to develop effective routines.
Isolation vs. Autonomy: While many people love avoiding office politics and having the autonomy to choose their work environment, remote work can become isolating. You may miss spontaneous hallway conversations, lunch breaks with colleagues, or the simple camaraderie of an office. To counteract loneliness, successful remote workers often schedule virtual hangouts, join local coworking spaces, or participate in industry meetups—blending the advantages of independence with social interaction.
Skill Development & Career Progression: Working online often means less structured training or mentorship compared to a corporate office. While you can tap into online courses and webinars, you might miss out on informal learning opportunities, like overhearing senior colleagues discuss strategy or receiving impromptu guidance during coffee breaks. On the flip side, handling tasks independently can accelerate your skill growth; you learn to troubleshoot issues, manage projects end-to-end, and communicate more clearly, helping you acquire valuable assets in any career.
Feeling Seen? You’re Not Alone — Join Us at Remote Workers’ Therapy đź§
If any part of this article resonated with you—the freedom, the frustrations, or the balancing act—you’re not alone. That’s why we’re inviting remote workers, freelancers, and digital nomads in Lagos to come together for Cenoa’s Remote Workers’ Therapy — a free community event created to help you connect, share, learn, and recharge.
No pressure. No pitching. Just real conversations, new connections, and a chance to feel understood in a room full of people navigating the same lifestyle.
🗓️ When: Saturday, June 21 at 11:00 am
📍 Where: Café One VI
đź’¸ Free to attend
👉 Register now: https://lu.ma/0s3mgk65
We’d love to see you there.
