Misconseptions About People Who Work From Home

Hi, my name is Nikki and I work from home. If you don’t know, in addition to being an indie author, I have my own editing business called Metamorphosis Editing Services. Since last January, it has become my full-time day job and I rarely have any complaints. When I got out of college, like most Litt majors, I had no fucking idea what to do next. I tried applying for jobs and failed. I worked a job at a pet store and hated how draining it was to know I had a degree and was barely making nine dollars an hour. So when I couldn’t find the job I wanted, I created it. I decided that if nothing else, I could put it on my resume and maybe a future employer would appreciate it and hire me.

However, slowly, something that was meant to be a hobby/second job became my full-time job and I started making enough money to quit my retail career. Working from home is awesome. Editing other authors’ work is awesome. But there are a few misconceptions that grate on my nerves. Here are just a few things people say to me/assume.

1.      So you can go to work in your pajamas? That’s so cool!

Except you get stuck in your pajamas for almost the entire day and when you have to get dressed and actually interact with the outside world, you don’t know what to do.

2.      As long as you have your computer, you can work from anywhere! Awesome!

Yes. This is absolutely true—which is awesome. But it also means that I do not get to clock in and out at designated times. Sometimes it’s hard to separate work life from home life.

3.      Can you come over/go shopping/get day drunk with me on a Monday at 10 a.m.?

I know it seems like I can just drop whatever I’m doing, but if I don’t work I don’t make money. If I don’t make money I can’t eat. And I like eating.

4.      So you can just, like, take off whenever, right?

Nope. Not really. See above.

5.      When are you going to get a “real” job?

This one sucks the most. This is the most “real” job I’ve ever had. I have never before in my life taken anything so seriously and passionately as editing. So shut your face.

6.      Yeah, but you didn’t have to DRIVE anywhere. You basically roll out of bed and start your day! Lucky you!

Yeah. I pretty much roll out of bed every day and start working. I don’t get the extra time to settle into my work role and prepare for the day via car ride or talking to my coworkers about their weekends. If I am awake, I am working.

 

actual gif of me in the morning

7.      At least you don’t have to deal with PEOPLE all day.

Not in person, no. But I have to speak to people all day err day. Email, messages, everything. And I sometimes have to be more in depth than a customer service job because they are not right there with me, able to see what I am talking about. Also, not talking to people has

seriously diminished my social skills (which were awful to being with).

8.      But you get to make your own schedule!

Everything in my life has to be scheduled. Have you seen my planner? If I don’t write it down, it doesn’t happen and I have no one to hold accountable but myself. I have no one telling me when to get things done besides me. It’s awesome most of the time, but it can also be a lot of pressure.

9.      You must have soooo much less stress being able to work from home!

Not always true. I mean, I don’t have an awful boss breathing down my neck or customers asking dumb questions they could easily find the answers to themselves if they read the directions on their fish tank guide (Ugh. Don’t miss it at all), but as I hinted at already, I am the entire company in most cases. If someone isn’t happy, it’s my fault. If something doesn’t get done on time, it’s my fault. It’s a lot of responsibility, which can sometimes be stressful.

10.   I would never be able to do that. I mean, what would I even DO with myself?

Well, I dunno. Would you be working or just cruising the internet (which is another thing people seem to think I do all day)? I always have something to do (gratefully) and I am never bored. Honestly, I love the job I created for myself and I’m happy I took the plunge to do it almost a year ago. However, it’s not for everyone. It’s isolating, demanding, and you have to motivate yourself. Which makes it pretty perfect for me.