Working remotely from anywhere in the world has become something normal — even in countries with more limited financial resources. This shift has been possible thanks to the development of digital platforms and access to the internet.
The pandemic demonstrated the importance of connectivity and the digitalization of workflows in companies where there is little dependence on physical components or logistics involving people throughout the entire process. It also accelerated the migration to new technological tools in many organizations and proved that the internet infrastructure we have today is capable of supporting global operations — even with everyone at home consuming content or working at the same time.
My experience working from home started long before this became mainstream. In 2010, I had my first opportunity to work remotely, with an incredibly flexible schedule where the only things that mattered were deliverables and product development.
That first experience had more downs than ups.
I didn’t manage my time wisely. I stayed up late playing video games or watching movies, which drained my energy for the next workday. I was eating poorly, not exercising, and constantly feeling tired — even on days when I had slept well.
The wake-up call didn’t take long to arrive due to my performance. I have always tried to meet my responsibilities and show that my greatest desire is to do things well, so I quickly adjusted my habits: dedicating more focused time to work, sleeping better, and eliminating unhealthy distractions like excessive gaming. Within a few months, I recovered and found a sustainable rhythm. I must admit that after that experience, I have never played video games so intensely again.
The years went by, and I continued working remotely — but I also continued feeling drained, unmotivated, and low on energy. Among the advice I received from colleagues was to go to the gym or practice some kind of sport. I joined the nearest gym in the afternoons, and although at first it felt heavy and I had to find motivation where I barely had any, it eventually became a habit that changed my life forever.
Soon after, I ran my first race. Since then, I haven’t stopped — although now I train with less intensity.
When working from home, sedentary behavior can easily become the norm. The positions we adopt while sitting at a desk are far from healthy. Human beings are designed to move — just 10,000 years ago, we were hunters, and many tribes were nomadic.
In 2016, I shifted to a hybrid model: two days working from home and three days at the office. It was a positive change. After many years at home, returning to the office felt like a rebirth — meeting people, sharing moments with colleagues, going out for lunch, or even watching a movie together at the office after work were experiences I truly valued. And I admit, I also appreciated working from home — especially on rainy mornings or days with terrible traffic.
Then the chaos of the pandemic arrived, and once again we were all fully remote. It was an incredible mental challenge, but it ultimately helped me find balance between personal life and work.
I valued going to the office to share ideas and connect, but I didn’t realize it had simply become part of my routine — a company norm. I didn’t actually need the office to stay connected with the people I care about and relate to.
Today, I understand that working from home is one of the greatest privileges I have. Engaging in different activities depends entirely on me. We have the technology to stay connected with friends and family, and we should use it for the value those connections bring to our lives.
Working from home requires discipline — but not only professional discipline. We must also build discipline around self-care to maintain our health. You might already be familiar with these recommendations or even actively incorporate them into your routine, but I will continue to highlight their importance for sustaining a healthy remote work lifestyle:
- Step away from your desk whenever possible. Walk, stretch your body, and rest your eyes. Maintain a consistent schedule for starting work, eating, and resting.
- Change your workspace occasionally: go to the office, a café, or a friend’s place.
- Prioritize your mental health. Do activities that bring you peace, see a therapist, or practice self-awareness exercises (whatever works best for you — or all of them).
- Don’t underestimate human contact. Spend time with friends, family, or your partner. Connect with nature and culture to disconnect from the digital world.
- Take supplements and lubricate your eyes if necessary. In my case, this has helped me maintain focus and work 10-hour days after 18 years in the industry.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: working from home is a great privilege. It allows you to experience unique moments — even some I haven’t personally lived, but deeply understand the value of — such as witnessing your children’s first steps or caring for a sick family member.
However, it still comes with challenges and requires an adaptation process — one that ultimately leads to balance between time at home and meaningful interaction with the outside world.
