Working Remotely Since 2017: My Experience 🌎

With recent news about many companies wanting employees to return to the office, and in some cases eliminating remote work entirely, I started reflecting on the topic.

In this article, I’ll share my experience, my thoughts on these changes, some relevant data, and how I see the future.

My Journey Towards Remote Work

I’ve been working remotely since 2017, yes, before the pandemic and the boom of this work model. Before that, I worked in hybrid formats, and as I spent certain days at home, I began wondering: why not work from here all the time?

In 2017, I switched companies, and they offered me the chance to work completely remotely. Since I was integrated as staff augmentation into a team entirely made up of people from the U.S., and I participated mainly in online meetings, going to the office didn’t make sense.

Since then, I haven’t looked back. With each job change, I’ve made remote work a non-negotiable priority, and it remains one of my top requirements when evaluating new opportunities.

Face-to-Face vs. Remote

Meeting face-to-face is irreplaceable, especially at the start of a project. However, in today’s software world, where teams are spread across multiple countries, working in an office often doesn’t make much sense. In large companies, teams can consist of people from different nationalities, further reducing the need for in-person interaction.

That said, I do enjoy visiting the office or a coworking space occasionally if colleagues from the same company are in town. I’ve also had great experiences traveling to U.S. offices to meet with teams for one or two weeks. These trips not only allow us to work together but also to build stronger relationships outside of work. This connection is especially important at the beginning of a project or shortly after it starts, as it often strengthens communication, trust, and team cohesion.

However, these trips aren’t always feasible. But even when I’ve worked exclusively with teams based in the U.S., we’ve successfully completed projects without meeting in person even once. The only downside? My list of places to visit keeps growing along with the names of people I’d love to meet in person after years of collaboration.

The Flexibility of Remote Work

One of the biggest advantages of remote work is the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world. I’ve been fortunate to live and work in countries like Spain, Croatia, the United States, and Portugal for periods of one to three months as a digital nomad.

I often combine these trips with vacations, expanding the list of places I’ve been able to explore, although that’s a topic for another article.

Keys to Success in Remote Work

To succeed in a remote work environment, some practices are essential:

• Time management: You need to be disciplined with how you structure your day.
• Clear communication: In all aspects of work, clear and constant communication is crucial.
• Transparency: Try to be as transparent as possible with the work you’re doing, and if you’re blocked, communicate it in a timely manner.
• Dedicated workspace: Having a home office or a space where you can work without distractions is essential.
• Reliable internet: This is a no-brainer, but without a solid connection, remote work simply isn’t possible.

The Benefits of Remote Work

There are several clear benefits of working remotely:

• No commuting: In big cities, this can save several hours every day.
• More family time: You can always take a few minutes to recharge and clear your mind by chatting with your loved ones.
• Healthier eating: Being at home makes it easier to prepare nutritious homemade meals, which is an underrated long-term benefit.
• Time savings: The time saved commuting to and from the office can be used for other activities, like going to the gym, taking a walk, or meeting friends for coffee or a beer, it’s like extending your day by a few extra hours.

What the Data Says

Now, let’s look at some data from Forbes about remote work in 2024, which clarifies where this trend is headed.

It’s a growing trend: as of 2024, 1 in 5 workers operates remotely, marking a significant shift in work dynamics. This change challenges the traditional office model and signals a move toward more flexible and innovative ways of working.

It’s expected that by 2025, 32.6 million Americans (or 22% of the workforce) will work remotely. This continued growth reflects the importance of remote work in professional life.

Employee preferences are clear: a staggering 98% of workers prefer to work remotely, or at least part-time. Flexibility, autonomy, and a better work-life balance are now top priorities for employees. Companies that can meet these needs are more likely to attract and retain top talent.

Some companies are already fully remote. 16% of companies now operate without a physical office, proving that with the right infrastructure, a fully remote model can be feasible and successful.

Some industries have embraced remote work more effectively than others. In 2024, IT and information technology lead the way, followed by accounting and marketing. These sectors have leveraged digital tools to maintain productivity in a remote environment.

The most common jobs posted for remote work include:

• Software engineers
• Accountants
• Executive assistants
• Customer service representatives

These roles demonstrate that both technical and administrative tasks can be efficiently performed from home.

Who’s Leading the Way? The largest group of remote workers falls within the 24 to 35 age range, with 39% working remotely full-time and 25% part-time. This younger workforce is attracted to the flexibility remote work offers, making it essential for companies to implement flexible work policies if they want to attract and retain these employees.

Conclusion

The future of software development (and many other fields) clearly lies in remote work. As technology advances, new and better ways of collaborating and maintaining productivity will continue to emerge.

While there are situations where in-person work can be beneficial, such as when continuous collaboration is needed or when solving extremely complex problems, in most cases, it’s not only unnecessary but also less effective.

Remote work makes people happier, and as a result, more productive, who would have thought, right?