I can say with confidence that although I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up, I definitely don’t want to do it in an office. I’ve only learned this recently, after having left my cushy state job for a less luxurious position working from home for independent contractors. Sure, I don’t have a salary or benefits anymore, but I also don’t have to deal with the hassle of getting up in the morning and commuting to work. Beyond that, my workspace is now perfectly customized to my own personal preferences. It seems silly, but I’m so glad to have control over the thermostat during my workday. I previously worked in a large institution with the most overwhelming air conditioning I’ve ever experienced. Between the months of May and September, the building is kept at such a low air temperature that it feels more like a refrigerator than an office building. I would sit and shiver at my desk all day, trying to stay warm in the powerful AC. The ventilation system was so well planned and powerful that there was nowhere to escape from close proximity to air vents, so there were drafts from every direction. The temperature settings were clearly designed for people with warmer blood than I. Now I can stay home and adjust my thermostat with the click of a button – I don’t even have to get up from my desk because we have a smart thermostat! I can finally stop shivering and learn to be comfortable while I work!
