Working from home can be a blessing in more ways than one. Not only will you do some good for the planet, but it’s also a more convenient and comfortable way to get your work done. Aside from the obvious reasons why having a home office is sustainable, below are some more incentives for trying to make the switch or at least strike a balance.
- The more you’re able to work at home, the less laundry you need to do. You don’t necessarily have to work in your pajamas (you can if you want), but you can wear the same casual outfit for a couple days. This will save water and electricity.
- You will want to be a hermit more often. When you have a home office, you pretty much have everything you want and need right at your fingertips. If you do have to run errands, you can plan one day to get it all done. Why leave the house several times during the week when you don’t have to, especially when the weather is bad?
- You can say goodbye to disposable cups and fast food packaging, because you can make meals at home, which saves money and reduces waste.
- The electricity needed to power a physical office can be costly and inefficient, but when you’re at home, all you really need to do is brighten your workspace. Who cares that all of the rest of your lighting is off if you’re not seeing clients?
- Depending on your business, the majority of your conversations might be able to be done via email. Instead of faxing pages of material, just scan the original and send it over the Internet. This also increases your productivity, because with written dialogue you can get straight to the point and move on.
Even if you’re unable to run your business or be an employee at home every day of the week, you can at least try to commit to a part-time home office. In the beginning it will be an adjustment, but once you get organized and figure out a plan, working from home will feel like being at the office but only better.
Marina Hanes has a B.A. in Professional Writing and Editing from Youngstown State University. She is a vegetarian and is passionate about environmental issues and animal rights.
