Working Where You Find Community

Working From Home vs. Working From an Office vs. Working Where You Find Community

For the past few years, I’ve been living the dream—working remotely, setting my own schedule, doing my laundry between Zoom meetings, and wearing loungewear in peace. The flexibility is unmatched. No commutes. No dress codes. No awkward small talk in the break room.

But what happens when the same four walls that once felt like freedom start to feel like a creative cage?

Some days, I caught myself longing for a typical office setting—not for the fluorescent lighting or rigid 9-to-5 rules, but for the little things: spontaneous conversations with coworkers I don’t directly work with, the chance to show off a new haircut, the camaraderie of post-work drinks. And yet, traditional office life has its own set of limitations, ones I wasn’t eager to return to.

At the start of 2025, I decided to find a middle ground. My resolution? To join a coworking space.

I spent weeks researching and settled on a space that blended work with social interaction. At first, it felt like being the new kid at school—where do I eat lunch? What are the unspoken social norms? Do I really need to wear this lanyard?

But slowly, something shifted. I started meeting people—creatives, freelancers, and entrepreneurs all in the same boat. We were there to do our best work while also seeking connection. Within two months, I’d already met experts in SEO, scripting, backend coding, and content strategy—missing puzzle pieces I didn’t even know I needed. We could swap advice, share industry frustrations, and, as a bonus, I’ve even been (forcefully) practicing my Spanish.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that while remote work has given us freedom, and digital nomads can now build careers from hotel rooms, cafés, and poolside lounges, we’re also at risk of losing something just as important: connection and empathy.

We need spaces where work meets community. Where inspiration isn’t just drawn from our screens but from real conversations.

I’m still figuring out my own balance between work and connection, and I’d love to hear from you. Where do you do your best work? How do you make sure you’re not just working, but also growing through community?