My Remote Work Journey: The Struggles I Faced and How I Solved Them

I believe that after 2020, the ratio of remote work, including hybrid setups and working from home, expanded significantly and made things easier for many. Since then, it has become even more popular, and almost every company now offers the benefit of working remotely or in a hybrid model. After 2020, I also shifted to working completely remotely, but the journey wasn’t easy. 

I used to believe that working from home would be so fun, as I wouldn’t be bound by strict company policies. Also, I won’t have to wait for approvals; I can work based on my own preferences and schedule. But things didn’t exactly go as I had planned. I faced many struggles along the way. 

Now, I can say that I have successfully built a complete and manageable remote work system. However, the challenges were real, and I thought, why not share them publicly? This way, anyone who is just starting their journey of working remotely can know in advance what I learned the hard way.

Main Problem I Faced Working Remotely

Here I have listed the main problems that I faced, and also how I gradually found a solution to overcome them. 

Problem 1: Lack of Routine

At the beginning, my days were all over the place. Sometimes I’d start working late, sometimes I’d spend hours scrolling on my phone, and other times I felt completely overwhelmed by everything I had to do. I realized working from home without prople schedule is chaos.

What helped me:

• I set a daily schedule with fixed start and end duty times. 
• I started using Google Calendar and reminders to plan my day in blocks. Suddenly, I knew exactly when to focus, when to take breaks, and when to handle small tasks.
• I also created a dedicated workspace in a corner of my home. Even though it’s small, sitting at my “work desk” mentally signaled it was time to work, not relax.

Problem 2: Feeling Isolated 

I missed the casual chats and watercooler talks at the office. At first, I felt lonely and a little cut off from my team. It’s easy to forget that social interaction matters, even if you love working alone.

What helped me:

• I started scheduling regular video calls with my team, even just for a few minutes. It made me feel connected and in the loop.
• I joined online communities and Slack groups related to my work and hobbies. Talking to colleagues and others helped me feel less isolated.
• I made it a habit to take short breaks to call friends or go for a walk. Small interactions like that helped me recharge.

Problem 3: Difficulty Staying Focused

Working from home means distractions are everywhere, like TV, chores, and even family popping in saying,” go get this and that”. Some days I’d try to focus, but I’d get pulled in a million directions.

What helped me:

• I started using the Pomodoro technique: 25 minutes of pure focus, 5 minutes break. It keeps me productive without burning out.
• I communicated boundaries with my family: “I’m working, please don’t disturb me for the next hour.” It wasn’t easy at first, but it worked.
• I also invested in noise-canceling headphones and used apps like Focus@Will to block distractions. It made a big difference.

Problem 4: Work-Life Balance Struggles

Without leaving the office, it was so easy to keep working late, thinking “just one more thing.” Soon, I realized I was overworking and feeling drained.

What helped me:

• I set clear work hours and promised myself to stop at the same time every day. It’s amazing how that small rule keeps me sane.
• I started scheduling daily breaks and hobbies, like a quick workout or reading. It recharges me mentally and physically.
• At the end of the day, I do a shutdown routine. And that included closing my laptop, turning off notifications, and even tidying my workspace to signal my brain that work is done.

Problem 5: Internet Issues 

And then there’s the internet problem. Slow or unstable connections can ruin video calls, make uploads take forever, and kill productivity. I realized this was something I couldn’t ignore.

What helped me:

• I switched to Community Fibre, a high-speed, full-fibre broadband provider. The difference was night and day.

All About Community Fibre 

Community Fibre is a UK‑based internet service provider (ISP) that delivers full‑fibre broadband directly to people’s homes and businesses, especially across London and nearby areas. When I switched to Community Fibre, it completely changed my work-from-home experience.

Full Fibre Straight to My Home

Before this, my old internet would slow down whenever anyone else in the building was online. Now, with fibre optic going straight to my place, I get super-fast and stable internet.

Really Fast Speeds

I can get speeds from 150 Mbps up to 3 Gbps, and the upload and download are both super fast. It makes video calls, sending big files, and cloud work so much easier.

Unlimited Data

I don’t have to worry about hitting any limits. I can stream, Zoom, upload files, and work all day without a single hiccup.

Super Reliable

Even during busy times, my connection stays strong. Back-to-back video calls or large uploads? No problem at all.

Easy Installation

The installation was smooth, professional. I didn’t have to deal with any technical headaches, and I was up and running in no time.

So, this was my journey and the main problems I faced while working remotely. I’m sure there might be more struggles depending on the person, but these were the ones I encountered. If you’re someone who is planning to shift to remote work, I would advise you to take note of these challenges and be prepared with the solutions I suggested.

Among all the struggles, internet issues were the most critical. If your connection isn’t stable, you risk missing deadlines or failing to deliver work on time. I even almost lost a client because of poor internet, so don’t make the same mistake I did.

Also, I can help you get Community Fibre plans at a discount. Just click the link. You may get a saving, and I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Stay tuned to FreshFads for more updates and tips on working remotely successfully.