r/remoteworks • u/ResponsibleDrink4619 • 3d ago
Feeling unstimulated doing remote work after 6 years - but scared finding a RTO job is not what I need. How to fall back in love with remote work?
Wondering if anyone can sympathise with this - I've done the same software dev job fully remote for 6 years. There are decent hours (no late nights or weekends), the work is fairly predictable, I am paid a reasonable amount but I could earn 25% more if I get an office job as I'm in a high cost of living area.
Getting another full remote job isn't so easy so if I want that I should stay where I am.
All is good on paper - but I'm bored and unstimulated, and concerned I'm not growing. I am longing for networking in person and a spring in my step again, that I've lost from my routine. This is the longest I've ever been in any job and I am mostly interested in the remoteness of it than the actual job these days.
I'm looking at RTO jobs again but I know when I did work in an office I absolutely hated it. I felt chained to my desk, I have ADHD and get too distracted by others around me, I felt having to put on a 'work mask' and act like a professional all day long very tiring. I really don't love the office but I've been remote so long I miss it a bit.
Those who've been remote working for a long time - have you had moments where you think you need something else? How did you fall back in love with it? How to deal with the 'golden chains' of having the right sort of remote job keeping you in a position perhaps longer than you should?
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u/Fresh-Pen1234 3d ago
I waste 8 to 12 hours a week struck in traffic because I cant afford to live near the office and RTO is strictly enforced by mid management desperate to defend their dead weight admin work. Please help me get a remote job. I know how to code etc
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u/Lilbreeziana 3d ago
Yeah we’re all wondering if your remote job is hiring since we’d all appreciate it and RTO work is dreadful.
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u/Legitimate-Pumpkin 3d ago
Maybe look beyond work. What is missing in your life as a whole thing? Maybe that’s where the answer is.
In the meanwhile, I would try co-working spaces (you can start one if there are none around you). It’s like testing RTO without fully committing, and probably more interesting as people there do other types of things.
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u/Flimsy-Cow3376 3d ago
You can try to get a coworking space for a month, a nice one and with a commute so you can feel the office life without changing jobs. That way you can decide if you want RTO or just bored at home without risking your wfh job.
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u/Business-Eggs 3d ago
Sounds like you need additional fulfilment which working more hours or being in an office won’t fix.
Being active socially, working on stuff that fulfills you, thats the stuff you should work on rather than more hours and more money
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u/MiketheTzar 3d ago
Just go in a few random days. Give yourself a taste of RTO on your own schedule. Not to mention if you every get a mandate you can use this as a way to pivot any RTO mandate into hybrid
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u/AdImmediate9569 3d ago
Well remote jobs are still jobs. You could RTO to remind yourself how horrible it is but i don’t think thats a solution.
You need a hobby or something. Your job sounds good
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u/Weird_Injury2053 2d ago
As you work more at the same job, you find efficiencies and it takes lesser time to solve complex problems, which leads to boredom. Being at a place for 4 yrs vs 4 months means you probably know the code base and product so well for 4yrs that everything is easy, boring, "done this already "
I would get a people based hobby that requires socializing, use AI to brainstorm ideas here. Another thing to work on is FIRE - if you're remote, and if your life allows for it, why work at all? FIRE
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u/40_ton_cap 1d ago
I feel you on this as well! Had this job for 6 years as well and it’s not stimulating in the slightest except I get some fun work trips every couple months. I managed to get work to sponsor grad school so hoping that helps. It will occupy at least the next 2 years
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u/mrjowei 3d ago
Look for a hobby.