The more things change, the more they stay the same it seems.

As covid-19 has driven many of us to work from the sanctuary of our own homes, for me, it’s done the opposite, by pushing me to work in places I’d never contemplated before. And I absolutely love it.

Working From Home was Fun, Until It Wasn’t

Having long subscribed to “the grass is always greener” philosophy, I have always envied those that were charmed enough to work from home. The thought of rolling out of bed, grabbing coffee and being at my desk within minutes after awakening seemed simply divine.

And it was – for a while.

The possibility of working in my pajamas was something I had only fantasized about in the past. And when it all became real in mid May for me, I had zero complaints. Waking up late, taking phone calls in my bed, typing in between inhaling my lunch or dinner. I couldn’t imagine all this ever getting old.

Fast forward two months though, and I had had enough of overstating my bedroom as a home office. Working in pajamas didn’t feel so great anymore. My furniture looked old and forlorn. And was it just me, or was my apartment smaller than it had been a few weeks ago? 

The walls were closing in. I craved to go back to the life that had once exhausted me. While I am not an extrovert by any measure, I quickly realized that being isolated in my apartment day after day was not the trophy I had envisioned.  My desire to work from home was quickly replaced with a longing to be anywhere but here.

Discovering that Working Outside Doesn’t have to mean at an Office

This “revolutionary” concept dawned on me while I was gazing outside my bedroom window overlooking our building’s courtyard. There under a tree at the far west corner was a young man casually dressed like myself, working on his laptop. Granted he didn’t look the most comfortable with the laptop on his lap, but imagining myself in his place sparked a feeling that had completely disappeared working at home – “excitement”.

All this time I never considered that I could be working outside – literally. Sure, figuring out my options for getting internet connectivity outdoors would be a hurdle, but not one that is insurmountable.

I can still vividly recall stepping into the courtyard with my laptop and placing it on the bench table for the first time. A breeze hit me while the sun hit the side of my face. “This is exactly what the doctor ordered”, I remember telling myself.

Rediscovering a City in a Whole New Way

It wasn’t long before I graduated to taking my work to nearby parks, and that was when I really fell in love with working outdoors, and my city that is Vancouver BC all over again.

Vancouver is an absolutely stunning place.  How could I have forgotten what a true gem the city was?  My daily drudge to and from work had turned me immune to it’s infinite charms.

I challenged myself to seek a new location each week. From False Creek, Stanley Park, Burnaby Central Park, to even Horseshoe Bay that’s 40 minutes away by bus, I became a digital nomad in my own city.

Working outdoors, I am surrounded by trees and lakes as I implanted myself right in the middle of it all. I was frequently introduced to pets out on a stroll and had access to all the fresh air I could ask for. I even made friends with strangers walking their dogs or whizzing by on their scooters. Trust me when I say, that would not have happened under normal circumstances.

That’s the thing about Vancouver. You can be anybody, and go just about anywhere, and the city will find a place for you. It isn’t just the weather that makes everyone fall in love with this place. You can be a ninety-year old strolling around with an oxygen cylinder. You can be a ten-year-old. You can be a confused exchange student, and you’ll still fit right in.

My Tips for Working Outdoors

Even with the coldness of Autumn fully settling in, I’m still thoroughly enjoying myself working outdoors while finding unexpected pleasure listening to the leaves rustle gently against one another.

After 3 months of frequently calling a park or the beach my office, I’ve learned what’s important to have to make the whole affair not just feasible, but enjoyable as well. Some of my tips on those fronts:

• Figure out your internet first. If you’ll mostly be working in your backyard or building courtyard, see if you can extend your home wifi enough to get coverage outside. I did just that when working in the courtyard. But to be truly mobile, you’ll want to tether your laptop to use your phone’s data plan. Here in Vancouver I managed to get in on a good deal for 9 gigs of data monthly for just $50 a month. Look for promotions and take the leap.
• Get a laptop stand. One of the biggest challenges of working outdoors is staying comfortable and ergonomic. Placing the laptop on your lap and looking down constantly places tremendous pressure on your neck, and is a recipe for neck and back pain over time. One gadget that can really help is a laptop stand. There are many types of the market; do your research and see which ones work best based on your posture. The goal is to raise the laptop screen to as close to eye level as possible.
• Prepare for unexpected weather. Even if you check the weather forecast before venturing out (and how accurate are they anyway?), be prepared for a sudden drop in temperature or even rain. I always bring a waterproof jacket and blanket with me everywhere I go. When the weather is good, I use them to sit on.

Always See the Silver Lining, and Take Action

It is said that out of dark times comes a positive light. If you’re feeling suffocated due to the limitations brought on by the pandemic, try to think outside the box on how to uplift yourself while remaining safe.

For me, I’ve found working outside nestled in nature has improved both my mood and productivity tremendously. This is one routine I’ll be keeping, and urge you to consider taking up as well.