Guest post by Liam Hennessy
It’s been five months since lockdown ended in Germany, where I’ve (mostly) lived for the past 10 years. It’s also been five months since more people than ever realized their jobs can be done from anywhere.
Being suddenly forced to stay home (for both work and play) has been tough on people. Yet as lockdowns across the world eased, many started to see the potentially bright future of location independent work. Very few of us want to go back to an office. Full-time, at least.
That was me years before the pandemic. And, years before the pandemic, I liked to work in different places. Sometimes it was an actual company office. Sometimes it was a coffee shop. Or a friend’s house in another city…
It didn’t matter.
I loved the variety.
In fact, I need that variety.
So, even as a seasoned remote worker I found the lockdown extremely difficult. Suddenly everyone, everywhere, had to stay put.
To be blunt, it was depressing.
When lockdown finally lifted in Germany, I was determined to ease back into coworking to some degree. Of course, I was aware the pandemic was still going on. I knew I had to get out and about, but I also knew I had to be sensible. It was coming into summer and Germany had everything under control.
So, I decided to test out post-lockdown coworking.
First Steps: Choosing a Coworking Space Post-Lockdown
I was strategic about my choice. I live in Bonn, which wasn’t too badly hit. Cologne is nearby and while I like that city, I ruled it out for the moment. Instead, I chose a coworking space 10 minutes walk from my house.
I did my research first, of course. But this being Germany, information isn’t often readily provided. You have to really work for it. I didn’t feel comfortable booking a space that mentioned nothing about hygiene regulations, so I chose the Rheinwunder Coworking Space down the road from me.
What Was It Like?
When I entered the space, I was surprised to find that no one was required to cover their face. This is generally the rule in most public spaces in Germany, such as bars, restaurants and shops. People did keep their distance though, and there were hand sanitizers everywhere. Oh, and there were only five people in the entire building the day I worked there. I kept my face covered anyway, despite feeling a bit like a tit.
It felt fantastic being able to have spontaneous conversations with a random stranger
While this coworking space was empty, it still felt pretty good. I got a good bit of work done, enjoyed complementary coffee and even got to know someone new. In fact, it felt fantastic being able to have spontaneous conversations with a random stranger. This is what I truly missed during lockdown: spontaneously meeting and getting to know new people. It’s why I love the pub so much (also: booze).
At the end of the day, I packed up my laptop, said my goodbyes and left. I was pretty tired and exhausted when I got home, so I collapsed on the sofa and read a bit.
Day well spent!
Should I Cowork Post-Lockdown?
My answer to this is: it depends. Not just on where you live, but on how sensible you feel the people around you are. I feel somewhat safe in Bonn. And although it’s only 20 mins away, Cologne has far more people and hence is a lot riskier in my opinion.
I would also add that I go for coworking spaces that I can walk to. This obviously isn’t an option for everyone.
However, if you feel safe, know that people are sensible and if the coworking space makes it clear they are following hygiene advice, I recommend it.
Coworking vs “All-The-Time” WFH
I’m someone who prefers the peace and quiet of my own house, most of the time. I am also someone who needs change. I’ve successfully worked at home for years, be that in a shared flat, a studio apartment and now in my own house with multiple rooms.
The good thing about coworking is ultimately the choice.
But I need to get out regularly. For me, 1-2 days at a coworking space is perfect. I often prefer the start of the week, as it gets me out and about in a different environment. It also means I appreciate my WFH days more.
The good thing about coworking is ultimately the choice. If I feel the need to spend a few hours in a busy(ish) environment, I can do it. I can walk to the building, grab a coffee and maybe chat to a few people.
Then again, there are weeks when I’m far too busy at work to even bother leaving the house (until the evening, that is).
We’re all different and it’s all about experimenting to find your perfect balance. Want to work a full five days there? Go ahead. Feel like only half the week? That’s fine! Want to go once a month? Totally OK.
Coworking will always be an important part of my remote working set-up. If you’ve never given it a go, now might be the perfect time to try.
Liam Hennessy runs The Final Monsoon, an online resource dedicated to helping remote job seekers
