### Two Decades of Telecommuting: A Personal Insight
In a simple comic strip populated with stick figures, Randall Munroe’s [*xkcd*](https://xkcd.com/) has consistently struck a chord with many. This was particularly evident five years ago, when the comic astutely conveyed the global reaction to the COVID-19 lockdowns.
In one notable strip, a television reporter states, “Experts indicate that individuals may need to self-isolate to fight the virus.” A stick figure watching the broadcast stops and says, “I’ve been honing my skills for this moment my entire life.”
Introverts and home enthusiasts everywhere found common ground. However, for me, the emotion resonated on a different level—I had already been telecommuting for 20 years when the pandemic started.
At the close of March 2020, I penned in my journal: “I have observed, astonished, how the world has essentially deemed that my lifestyle should extend to everyone.”
### The Surprising Advantages of a Pandemic
As the world grappled with an unparalleled crisis, my role as a remote journalist surprisingly became *more manageable*. Almost every interview source I required was conveniently at home, keen to converse. No longer was there a need to travel for meetings or awkwardly navigate lunch or bar venues. Companies began shipping their products for review instead of insisting on in-person demonstrations. Even the publishing sector adjusted, providing digital PDFs of forthcoming books instead of making reviewers wait for hard copies.
For the first instance, I found myself free from FOMO regarding Silicon Valley’s constant networking shindigs. A line from *Doctor Who* crossed my mind, when Amy Pond inquired of the Doctor, “Did you hope *really hard*?” Looking back on my years working from home, I acknowledged that I *had* wished for this change in lifestyle. Then another consideration emerged—an old Aesop’s fable cautioning: *Be careful what you wish for.*
In an instant, I felt like a cat clawing at a door I had never cared about until someone told me I couldn’t go outside.
### Two Decades of Remote Employment
In March 2000, I took on the role of the San Francisco bureau chief for *TIME* magazine—just in time to witness the dot-com bubble burst. My position was essentially a solo venture, and I was presented with a choice: rent an office in the downtown area or work from home, with the company covering part of my living costs.
It took me no more than five seconds to make my decision. Being a night owl who loathed commuting, working from home was a dream realized. I found a gorgeous architect-designed home overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge—an opportunity I could never have afforded otherwise.
However, despite my enthusiasm, I was taken aback by an overwhelming sense of guilt. In 2000, only [3.2% of Americans](https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2000/dec/phc-t-35.html) worked from home most of the week. Meanwhile, I watched commuters trapped in traffic on Highway 101 and pondered: *Why can’t they enjoy this freedom too?*
Of course, telecommuting had its fair share of difficulties. How can you avoid the trap of lounging in pajamas all day? Easy: schedule deliveries throughout the day so you’re always dressed for the UPS delivery. How do you stop your laptop from making your legs too hot? Cushions are your best ally.
Loneliness was another factor. Occasionally, I’d be engrossed in a funny conversation on Campfire (a precursor to Slack), only to glance up and remember I was alone. My fix? Co-working with artists. They were focused, unlikely to chat about tech trends, and often had excellent music collections to enjoy.
The biggest hurdle, however, was defining clear boundaries between work and personal life. My role required me to be available for significant news occurrences—if an earthquake struck, I had to be ready to hire a helicopter. Some editors in New York didn’t grasp time zones and would call my bureau line at 6 a.m. I became skilled at sounding alert before my first cup of coffee.
Nevertheless, I recognized that I was more productive at home. Every time I visited *TIME*’s headquarters in New York, I was astonished by how much time was consumed by casual chats and office distractions. My eating habits suffered, too—who could resist complimentary birthday cake in the office? And the absence of a couch? Intolerable.
### The Emergence of Remote Work
By 2011, [4.3% of Americans](https://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/employment_occupations/cb12-188.html) were working from home most of the week—a mere increase from a decade prior. The conventional office still maintained a strong hold over the workforce.
By that time, I had transitioned to other publications and acquired a new manager: my cat, Mowgli.