I still can’t believe that I’ve been home doing computer work everyday for a year now. Imagine: on average, I worked 18 hours a day and seven days a week, sitting in front of my laptop working on websites. I go out only once a month during pay day to buy necessities and to change my mind a little bit. So, if you calculate it, I’ve only went outside (not doing work) for at most 20 days out of 365 days of the year — quite a record for me! I did work, work, and mostly work… very productive for good. To share to you my experience, I find it appropriate if we roll back and recall what happened 365 days ago, so here it is.

What Happened Last Year

A year ago of same date, I was preparing to quit my software testing job from BHI Pro (locally Hubport Interactive) in Davao City, Philippines. I was sleeping in the office every night there to meet my client online from North America at 4AM (Philippine Time, GMT +8). I was offered a position with our local city’s most reputable and stable company, the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC). However, during my application to resign from my current employer, somebody from Canada offered a job to me. He said I would be working at home to do an outsourcing job. Because I am so inclined with my dream to work and live abroad someday, I accepted it without hesitation and I dropped DLPC’s local work offer. So, I got a new laptop for a start, and my work at home begun.

Here are the posts related to my office many months ago:

• My Workplace After Nine Months Of Home Work
• My Workplace In The Corner Of The World

My Social Life Is Gone, Or Is It?

Many said working at home is like a suicide of social life. While somehow I agree to it, my social life wasn’t really zeroed. I used to work in a corporate office before, so I know the difference and the feeling. It is just beneficial for me that I am different than typical people — dynamic and non-traditional.

I had a lot of time with my family (and I say a lot with a little emphasis on “too much”). I met many friends online, too: Gregory White and Chris Morris from Australia, Ken S. from New Zealand, John MacDonald from New Brunswick, Canada, and partners Mihaela Lica and Phil Butler from Germany. Although I may never be able to see them in person in my lifetime, they were no different to my previous college friends, as they also brought me happiness during my daily work. It was sad though that one of my few online friends who bothered me a lot, Gregory White from Perth, Australia, passed away last June and my online social life went limped until I moved on. Since then, I struggled with my remaining online friends and my beloved employer.

I am fortunate to discover and to know that I have one of the best employers (persons) of the world, whom my social and professional life is laid with towards the future — and I will not spoil my happiness by saying the rest.

Working at home can definitely kill someone’s social life if you leave the steering wheel to spin by itself. However, if you are wise enough to realize that the key to happiness is within your hands and with what you do, you will know that there is always a way to keep your social life active and vibrant — even at home. Just be true.

Realization

During my one year computer home work, I realized many things. I have no one to talk in most times, but I’ve got so much time to think. Now, here they are:

• Money is a universal problem, but there are fortunate people.
• You work by yourself and you are not necessarily the only one who reaps the pay.
• Even at home, loneliness and self-pity strike. And they stab your heart as well.
• If you work with love, you don’t feel like working at all.
• It is necessary to pass through loneliness to realize many things.
• You can do work even if you don’t have a room or if you are on the floor.
• One can be very productive if the employer is not only after the money a person can bring.
• It’s not easy to work without air conditioning in the Philippines. It distracts work and not good for skin.
• Consistency of work leads to trust and success. And this is crucial for online based ventures and relationships.
• Money brings freedom, it may or may not bring happiness.
• Patience is a virtue and an asset.
• The farther the person is, the more nice they are.
• Working at home full time has risk of getting fat.
• Online friends can make you cry as well.
• Customers will love your business if you love them, business talking.
• You have to endure everything to realize your dream and work hard to realize your wants.
• You should feel fortunate because not everyone has a good job at home.

Another 365 Days Challenge?

As of this writing, I am still uncertain for how long will I be working here at home alone. For sure, this has to change one day. Working full time at home is just something I need to pass. I still have to experience other things in life. I have so much to do, and to experience and to learn — and sadly I can’t find everything here at home. So for now, I will just do my whistles, be patient, and continue to work hard, bring money. Opportunity will come along the way one day and it is something for myself. I feel like there is a great journey ahead of me and I’m quite excited to embark on it. I hope it would come at the earliest. If you believe you can contribute, I would be forever grateful to you.

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