Clearly mileage varies. I've been more or less fully remote for a top tier financial institution about the last two years. (I show up every few months to meet u

Clearly mileage varies. I've been more or less fully remote for a top tier financial institution about the last two years. (I show up every few months to meet up for some face time, sure we make time for some meetings and the likes but it's mostly a chance to socialise in real life.) I can't imagine going back to an office. I'm generally much happier, I feel like I'm more focused and I feel a stronger commitment to my work. My brother once told me that most people keep their jobs simply because they show up. I didn't much believe him but having working in this business for more than a decade now I tend to agree. Maybe it's not most people, but a significant number anyway. That's not trying to be mean spirited or anything – I totally understand those who choose to wear the minimum required amount of flair. They care just enough not to get fired, maybe a little bit more but not much, and that's ok. For me, I'm not going to lie, I've had those days where I've felt that I've done enough just by showing up. It's not been most days, but I've sure had them. But now that I'm remote I never have those days. I like showing up, because the balance in my life is so much better – I think it's because now it's mostly on my terms. Sure, I more or less have to, or at least try to make sure there's as much time overlap as possible with my co-workers, but where I work or how I work is up to me. It wasn't always enjoyable though. Initially it was a real struggle because most people were in the office, and I'd get left out because they'd do face-to-face meetings or discuss things offline and I'd get a pretty crappy tl;dr out of it. But this is something I pointed out early on, and coupled with a growing need in the business for people to work remotely we just kind of figured it out. They're getting rid of office space because it's expensive, and rather than making people redundant that they would probably have to re-hire anyway they just have people work from home either fully or most days, and employ a desk sharing solution. I think we're up to something like 3 or 4 people per desk now. Now everything happens in emails, chat, github, etc. It's all online, it has to be or it just doesn't work. Anyway, this is turning into a rant, so I'll stop. I just came to say I can't imagine having to work in an office again. I don't mind it from time to time, it can be nice, but I'd like it to be my choice rather than something I have to do. Again, mileage clearly varies.