Thinking about quitting your 9-5 for a remote job? Before you take the leap, here’s what to know—the pros, cons, and everything in between.
What is success without a 9-5 that pays at the end of the month? Well, at least that is what a typical African may think.
What do you mean you do not get up in the morning to hustle for the bus or keke? And if you live in a big city, that is no small task. If you are lucky, you may not run into some mishap that messes up your clothes, and you get to work unscathed but out of breath, just in time to sign in early. What an exhilarating way to start your morning.
Between doing your work and putting up with an unreasonable coworker (God help you, your HR is not a devil in Prada), you will likely have a long day. The day runs out, and you head home, but of course, everyone else is also heading home, so you get stuck in traffic for the next hour or more.
When you finally get home, all you can do is eat and crash. Then, wake up the following day – rinse and repeat.
In reality, your 9-5 is a 7-8, but what does it matter if you fit into society’s standards for success?
However, somewhere on the other side of time is someone who cannot relate. They choose their own hours, work at their own pace, have a life outside their job, and still get paid, and what’s more, half of that income is not spent on transportation. The definition of living one’s best life. Or are they?
The Advent of Remote Jobs
As a generation constantly looking for ways to make our lives just a bit easier but still very money-conscious, it is little wonder that working a remote job has gained traction in recent times. However, the pandemic played a huge role in opening up even the most rigid businesses and individuals to the idea of a flexible work routine bringing to our consciousness that when life happens beyond our control, the work must go on.
A remote job, as you must have imagined, is a position where employees perform their tasks anywhere else but in a traditional office setting using digital tools. So, as long as you are armed with the right skills, tools, and technical know-how, you can get a remote job that pays without necessarily having years of experience, professional degrees, and all the complications accompanying a physical job. It is like having your cake and eating it too.
The Pros of Working a Remote Job
By now, you are probably already dreaming of what it would be like to work from home, drafting the resignation mail you plan to send to HR, and planning how you will pursue your passions while you make cool cash. You might get to work hard and play harder after all. Well, let us understand why those dreams might be valid.
- Customized workspace
Don’t we all wish that we could design our offices to suit our taste? Well, when you work remotely, you can curate your environment in a way that helps to maximize your productivity.
- Saves cost
Not having to spend half your salary on commuting to work? Yes, please. Not having to shop for suitable work outfits? Perfect. Not spending ridiculous amounts on getting lunch takeouts? Can this get any better? You save a lot of money by working remotely and might even smash your saving goals that you never seem to meet.
- Less chances of burning out
When you do not have to work a rigid schedule that takes a toll on your body and mind five days a week, your overall well-being improves, and you are less likely to suffer from burnout, stress, or even depression.
Others include:
- Good work-life balance
- Improved productivity
- Flexible working hours
- Earn more, spend less
Too good to be true?
About to click send on that resignation mail, not so fast! Working remotely is not all the glamor it is painted to be. There are downsides to being a remote worker. Do the pros outweigh the cons? That’s up to you to decide. Check out some of those cons.
⚠️ 1. Isolation Is Real
You may miss the social interaction that comes with an office. Remote life can feel lonely, especially if you’re extroverted.
⚠️ 2. Easy to Get Complacent
Without a boss physically watching, staying motivated requires discipline. It’s easy to procrastinate or slack off.
⚠️ 3. Health Can Take a Hit
Sitting all day, limited movement, irregular routines—it can add up if you’re not intentional about your wellness.
⚠️ 4. Distractions at Home
TV, chores, kids, or even your bed. Working from home demands focus and structure.
⚠️ 5. Weaker Team Bond
Building company culture and team spirit remotely is harder. Communication can feel transactional rather than collaborative.
Final Verdict: Should You Make the Leap?
Quitting your 9-5 for a remote job isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. It depends on your goals, personality, work style, and financial stability.
Remote work can offer freedom, flexibility, and a chance to redefine success on your own terms. But it also demands structure, discipline, and sometimes a little sacrifice.
So before you click send on that resignation email, take a beat. Explore your options. Upgrade your skills. Test the waters with freelance gigs if you can.
When you’re ready—really ready—make the switch. On your own terms.
