How Remote Work Changed My Life and Why I Won’t Go Back

People often ask “is remote work worth it?” and without a doubt, my answer is yes—because remote work has truly changed my life for the better.

But there was a time when I didn’t even know it was an option. I definitely didn’t realize just how much it would benefit me one day or completely transform my career goals.

When I was in college, my dream was to run large-scale events like concerts, tournaments, even the Olympics—you get the picture. I thought if I just worked 15–16 hour days, skipped meals, and kept grinding, eventually I’d get the financial freedom, work-life balance, and dream life I wanted. Spoiler: it didn’t exactly work out that way.

The reality? The kind of labor my “dream” required wasn’t sustainable. I had no time for hobbies, relationships, or even eating properly. My body hurt, my brain was fried, and my paycheck didn’t exactly reflect the effort.

Then COVID hit. Companies were forced to shift to remote work. And suddenly, this whole other way of working—one that I hadn’t even considered before—was on the table.

This site contains affiliate links, view the disclaimer for more information.

How My First Remote Job Led to a Career I Love

I landed my first remote job at a tech company as an implementation manager. All I needed was a laptop and a headset. It was a great opportunity, but honestly, the work culture just wasn’t the right fit for me.

So, I went back to hospitality and events—the field I thought was my dream. But after too many commutes, holidays spent working, and waves of exhaustion, I couldn’t shake the thought: what if I went back to remote work?

That’s when I got on LinkedIn, started exploring new companies and roles, and discovered project management. And go figure—it was in digital marketing, which I’ve grown to love! Nearly four years later, I haven’t looked back.

When I think about how remote work changed my life, that first job was really the stepping stone—the first leap that opened doors I never imagined—from project management to blogging to exploring even more remote opportunities.

Remote work hasn’t just given me a job—remote work changed my life.

How Remote Work Changed My Life

The shift to remote work has been an absolute game-changer. Here’s what changed for me (and could change for you too):

1. Remote Work Saved Me Time

Everyone jokes about working in sweatpants, but for me the real proof of how remote work changed my life is in the time I’ve gotten back.

That “one-hour” commute? It’s never just an hour. It’s waking up early, rushing through getting ready, filling up on gas, grabbing an overpriced breakfast, and then sitting in traffic. You’ve already lost 2–3 hours before your workday even starts.

Now? I can spend that time:

making food at home (yay for budgeting smarter),
getting a workout in,
catching up on a podcast,
or even tackling laundry before I log in.

And when the day’s done, I just close my laptop. No traffic, no time wasted. That’s another 1–2 hours back for my personal life every single day.

2. Remove Work Gave Me Flexibility

Time savings aside, the other real reason remote work has been such a win for me—and could be for you too—is flexibility. I don’t stress anymore when family emergencies or events pop up. I don’t have to sit there panicking about how I’m going to get time off work, because my job is so flexible with both PTO and ways of working.

If I need time off, I can take it. If I need to bring my laptop with me, I can work from wherever I am. I’ve traveled 15 hours across the country for a family emergency, spent 12 hours on the road to celebrate my brother’s wedding, and I’ve taken week-long vacations without it being a headache.

And sometimes it’s not even the big stuff. Sometimes it’s just needing to run 10 minutes down the road to urgent care, or taking my cat to the vet. Sometimes it’s simply the fact that I get to be home with my cats all day, every day—which they absolutely love. (They’re very clear about not wanting to be left alone, trust me.) I’m so grateful remote work gives me that extra bonding time with them. For you, maybe that looks like more time with your family and/or kids.

3. Remote Work Saved Me Money

Okay, this is one of the biggest reasons I left my in-person job… I have saved so much money by working from home. I used to pay at least $200 in tolls and another $400 for gas every month just trying to commute to/from my job—that’s like paying rent!! Then you have vehicle upkeep or emergency repairs like more frequent oil changes or tire replacements.

I was even spending more money on food and drinks, whether that be because I needed a coffee on the way to work, a quick snack in the middle of an extended shift, or dinner because I was too tired to make anything at home. That’s not to say I never brought food and drinks to work to save money—because I did. But the commute and demanding hours of my job together often made for very exhausting days and weeks—leaving me with very little energy to commit to things like saving more, budgeting properly, planning meals, etc.

Working remotely has cut down costs drastically for me, and that’s another big reason I say YES when people ask “is remote work worth it?”

Now, I can put that money toward savings goals, debt payoff, vacation, or other experiences that matter the most.

4. Remote Work Boosted My Energy & Productivity

Now, I know there’s a lot of debate on whether remote work really boosts productivity. For some people, it’s tough. Without your manager hovering over your shoulder, it can be harder to stay focused or even “show up” on time. But for me? I find I’m way more productive working from home (and honestly, LOVE that I don’t feel so micro-managed). The fact that I can get more rest, fit in exercise, actually plan meals, and just take better care of myself overall—it makes it so much easier to log on each morning ready to get things done.

That’s not to say working from home has zero distractions—because let’s be real, it does. When you’ve got kids, pets, or even your personal to-do list staring at you (laundry, dishes, grocery runs), it can be tempting to try to multitask. But here’s the thing: remote work gives me the flexibility to handle those things outside of my core hours—or during quick breaks—so they don’t pull me away from my workday. Instead of competing with my job, they just fit into my life better.

Why Remote Work = More Freedom

For me, remote work isn’t just about where I get to work from—it’s about simply having the choice.

I get to live life on my terms. I can work from home, from a coffee shop, or from another state if I want. I can finally use my time the way I want—whether that’s traveling, spending time with family, or just having the energy to enjoy hobbies again.

When I look at the freedom, flexibility, and financial breathing room I’ve gained, it’s impossible not to say that remote work has changed my life in the best way.

Remote work has given me more space to focus on my relationships, hobbies, and fur babies while still showing up and excelling at my job. And honestly, that’s worth so much more than my old jobs ever gave me.

Is Remote Work Worth It?

So… is remote work worth it? For me, absolutely!

Now, do I miss being in an office surrounded by people sometimes? Sure—I love chatting with coworkers, meeting new people, and having that daily interaction. But my social life isn’t gone just because I work from home. I still travel to see friends and family, catch up with coworkers virtually, and I know plenty of people who split their time by working in co-working spaces when they want that in-person vibe.

To me, that’s the best part: remote work lets you build a balance that actually works for your personality and lifestyle.

Deciding if Remote Work is Right for You

It’s important to remember that not every remote job looks the same. Some are highly structured while others are incredibly flexible—but the point is, you do have options.

If you’re burned out from long commutes, feeling drained by rigid schedules, or just craving more breathing room in your life, it’s worth asking yourself: is remote work worth it?

From my experience, the answer is yes. You deserve a work life that supports your whole life—your personality, your needs, your dreams, and your goals.

At the end of the day, I’m living proof that remote work can change your life in ways you never expected: more time, more freedom, more savings, and more balance. I can’t imagine going back to the exhausting grind of long commutes, unpredictable hours, and constant stress.

Want to dive deeper into the remote work lifestyle? Check out these posts:

How Remote Work Changed My Life and Why I Won’t Go Back

How My First Remote Job Led to a Career I Love