Remote work can have a lot of perks — from flexibility with your schedule to zero commuting expenses, it makes sense why some recent college graduates prefer WFH over working IRL. But that doesn’t mean that working from home doesn’t come without its unique set of challenges — because, to be frank, remote work can sometimes just be boring.
With remote work, it can be isolating to be cooped up inside your apartment or house all day without face-to-face interactions — and Gen Z especially craves that. While a study from Citrix found that 51% of Gen Z wants to remain working from home the majority of the time, another study from Generation Lab discovered that nearly 40% of recent graduates prefer in-person work.
So, what is there to do when you’re tired of WFH but your job is remote?
Look no further! Just because your job is WFH doesn’t mean that you have to WFH every single day. Try these six places to spice up your WFH job the next time you’re ready for a change of scenery (and by scenery, I mean your apartment living room).
- Coffee shop
While this may be the first place you think of when you want to switch up your WFH situation, it’s up there for a reason! Coffee shops are a great place to work (free wifi, anyone?) while also enjoying a cup (or two) of joe — and chatting it up with the barista is an easy way to get some human interaction into your day.
- Coworking space
The world of WFH has opened up a whole new realm of remote work possibilities, including coworking spaces! Coworking spaces are shared office spaces that people can use by paying a membership or one-time fee, based on the company.
Companies like WeWork have coworking office spaces in over 70 cities across the country, where you can pay for a one-day pass or purchase a membership. Other companies like Peerspace, Desks Near Me, and Codi also offer flexible and one-day office spaces to rent out.
- Local library
Your local library is the perfect quiet place to get your work done, and it’s free to go! Bring your laptop and settle down at an empty table — but maybe don’t go if you have a lot of meetings that day.
- Bookstore
Many bookstores have quiet areas to work at where people can study or do homework — and, of course, there’s free wifi! (Oh, and some bookstores even have coffee shops and kiosks inside — talk about a major perk.)
- Public park
Get some much-needed vitamin D and enjoy an outdoor office for the day. Grab a picnic blanket and your laptop and sprawl out on the grass to get some work done. The only issue with this option is getting wifi — while some public parks in bigger cities are beginning to offer wifi, others don’t. To solve that problem, try using your phone as a mobile hotspot.
- Cafe or restaurant
Some cafes or restaurants are flexible and allow customers to work for a certain amount of time. Many cafes or restaurants also have free wifi — and, of course, food and drinks to help keep you energized throughout the work day.