Andy Carolan Mar 13

I was struggling with the isolation of working from home, so decided to add a few hours a week at a coffee shop into my normal routine. I am fortunate to have a community coffee shop closeby, so go there with my iPad, and do a few admin tasks. I can only drink so much coffee, so I also buy a Pay-It-Forward, which allows someone else to have a free hot drink, no questions asked.

It might only be a short time, but the change of locale, exercise in getting there and mild socialisation really helps!

#deskdwellers

Show threadJim Mock
@andycarolan This is a really great idea that I need to steal. I’ve been full-time remote since 2017, but I definitely still struggle with the isolation at times.
Mar 13 at 1:54pmWeb
Show threadAlexandra Mar 13
@jmock It just shows you how much more community spaces we need for freelance workers and others to hang out in.
Show threadJim MockMar 13
@alexandra For sure. I currently live in a really small, really poor, really shitty ex-coal mining town and we only have one coffee shop that isn’t a Dunkin inside a gas station. We definitely need more places.
Show threadAlexandra Mar 13

@jmock There's a new project for you to think about, create your own space maybe?

But yeah it sucks when you live in a teeny tiny place with no amenities.

Show threadAndy Carolan Mar 13
@jmock That's a fair chunk of time! Almost ten years!
Show threadJim MockMar 13
@andycarolan Yeah, it definitely doesn’t seem like that long. When I told my job I was moving across the country in 2017, my boss said “please tell me you aren’t quitting and are gonna work remotely” and I’ve done so ever since. I’ll be with them 17 years at the end of the month lol
Show threadAndy Carolan Mar 13
@jmock Whoa, that's a long time to be in one job! Awesome!
Show threadJim MockMar 13
@andycarolan For sure. It definitely has its advantages and disadvantages. I mostly don’t mind the job but am really starting to despise the tech industry in general and wish I had the skills to go do something else. I could go back to school I guess, but I’m old and that sounds annoying 😂
Show threadAndy Carolan Mar 13
@jmock I feel that the tech industry is getting a bit tiring for a lot of people. But maybe it's just because of big-tech rather than small pockets of resistance like Fedi :)
Show threadJasonMar 13
@jmock @andycarolan was actually just thinking of doing the same, as we have a new coffee shop a few blocks from my house. Been working remote since like 2014 and need a change now that the kids are older and going off to college. Many of those years got me out of the house enough between getting kids on/off the bus, dealing with sickness, etc. that it wasn't as pronounced as it's feeling now.
Show threadAndy Carolan Mar 13
@endonend @jmock Ooh yes! Do it! Go to coffee shops... especially if it's new and shiny ☕
Show threadJim MockMar 13
@andycarolan @endonend The one we have here in town is really pretty cool. We’ve got a huge opioid problem here (where doesn’t really), and they hire folks that are in recovery to help them stay on their feet. https://hopeandcoffee.org
Hope & Coffee – A Recovery-Friendly Oasis in Tamaqua

Show threadJasonMar 13
@jmock @andycarolan oh that one sounds awesome. What a great cause!
Show threadAndy Carolan Mar 13
@jmock That's a great cause! Looks like a cute place too! @endonend