Let me be honest upfront: I don't like social contact much. So remote work? It's basically perfect for my personality. I've been working remotely for 5 years now, and for the last 8 months, I've been working the night shift starting at 10 PM.
This isn't going to be another "10 productivity hacks that will change your life" post. This is real talk about what actually works when you're working from home, dealing with power outages, and trying to maintain some semblance of work-life balance.
The Night Shift Experiment
Eight months ago, I started working nights (10 PM start time). Why? Two reasons:
The opportunity came up - and I needed the work
I always wanted to test this routine - night owl life seemed appealing
I'm still adjusting to this schedule. Some days I sleep great, other days... not so much. It's a work in progress.
The biggest challenge isn't the work itself - it's that time flies by incredibly fast. I'll sit down at 10 PM, blink, and suddenly it's 4 AM. I barely get up from my desk except to eat and use the bathroom.
My Backup Plans (Because Life Happens)
Working from home in a place where infrastructure isn't 100% reliable taught me to always have backup plans.
Power Backup: The Generator
I bought a generator specifically for work security. Not because I'm paranoid, but because losing power means losing income. It's that simple.
Generator Pro Tip: Test it regularly and keep extra fuel. Nothing worse than a generator that won't start when you actually need it.
Internet Backup: 5G Plan
My second backup is a 5G cellular plan. If my main internet goes down, I can still work through my phone's hotspot. It's not ideal for heavy tasks, but it keeps me connected.
bash snippet
1# My simple backup check script
2echo "Checking backups..."
3echo "1. Generator fuel level: [Check weekly]"
4echo "2. 5G data remaining: [Check monthly]"
5echo "3. UPS battery status: [Check quarterly]"
My Actual Work Environment
I work exclusively from home, in my office. I live alone with my dog, so distractions aren't really an issue. But here's what I've learned about creating a productive space:
The Setup That Actually Matters
Essential gear:
Reliable computer (obviously)
Comfortable chair (your back is important)
Good lighting (eye strain is real)
Backup power (generator + UPS)
Backup internet (5G plan)
Overrated stuff:
Perfect desk setup
Expensive monitors (good enough is good enough)
Fancy keyboards and mice
The Time Management Reality
Here's the thing nobody tells you: when you work from home, especially on night shifts, time becomes weird. Hours disappear without you noticing.
Time Trap Alert: I regularly work 6+ hours without getting up. This is not healthy. Set alarms to remind yourself to move.
My solution is simple but effective:
Set hourly movement alarms
Keep water at my desk (forces bathroom breaks)
Eat meals away from the computer (kitchen only)
Family and Boundaries
Even though I live alone, I still had to learn about boundaries. Here's my advice:
Always reserve time for family. Even if you're not living with them, make time for calls, visits, whatever. Remote work can make you forget that other humans exist.
Don't eat at your computer. I made this rule for myself: meals happen in the kitchen, period. It forces a mental break and helps separate work from life.
What I Wish I Knew 5 Years Ago
Mistake #1: Thinking Remote = Always Available
Just because you work from home doesn't mean you're available 24/7. Set boundaries and stick to them.
Mistake #2: Neglecting Physical Health
Sitting for hours without moving will catch up to you. Move regularly, even if it's just walking to the kitchen.
Mistake #3: Isolating Too Much
Even introverts need some human contact. Don't let remote work turn you into a hermit (unless that's what you want).
Mistake #4: Not Having Backup Plans
Power outages, internet failures, equipment breaking - have a plan for when things go wrong.
The Tools I Actually Use
I'm not going to recommend 20 different apps. Here's what I actually use daily:
Work:
My IDE/editor of choice
Browser (obviously)
Note-taking app (something simple)
Backup/Security:
Cloud storage for important files
Regular backups (automated)
VPN when needed
bash snippet
1# My daily startup routine
2echo "Starting work day..."
3echo "1. Check generator fuel"
4echo "2. Test internet speed"
5echo "3. Review today's priorities"
6echo "4. Set movement reminders"
The Unexpected Benefits
After 5 years, here's what I didn't expect:
Complete control over my environment. No office noise, no interruptions, no commute. When I need to focus, I can actually focus.
Better work-life integration. Not balance - integration. Work fits into my life instead of taking over my life.
Cost savings. No commute costs, fewer work clothes, less eating out. The savings add up.
Flexibility during emergencies. When life happens, I can adjust my schedule without asking permission.
Making It Work Long-Term
The key to sustainable remote work isn't productivity hacks or perfect setups. It's building systems that work for YOUR life and personality.
For me, that means:
Accepting that I'm not social and designing my work around that
Having multiple backup plans for when things go wrong
Setting clear boundaries between work and personal time
Taking care of my physical health (still working on this one)
Reality Check: Some days are great, some days suck. That's normal. The goal isn't perfection - it's consistency.
Wrapping Up
Remote work isn't magical. It's not going to solve all your productivity problems or make you instantly happier. But if you approach it intentionally and build systems that work for your situation, it can be pretty great.
The night shift experiment is still ongoing. The generator has been worth every penny. The 5G backup plan gives me peace of mind. And working alone with my dog? Perfect for my personality.
Your remote work setup will be different from mine, and that's the point. Figure out what works for YOU, not what looks good on Instagram.
5 years in and still learning. What's your remote work reality like?
