How a Co-Working Space has Changed the Remote Working Game

This blog post on remote working has been contributed by our Customer Support Rep Michael Camilleri. 

Since birth, I’ve always been intrigued by the technology industry. Maybe it’s because I’m a millennial, maybe it’s a natural sought passion. Either way, tech has been a large part of my life for the past 6 years. And, I have always moved for my professions, uprooting my life to another country, sometimes even continent. Although, at each job, whether it was at the Apple Store in Malta or Dropbox in California, I have always been situated in a physical office.

As a bubbly and extroverted person, both my strengths and weaknesses have shone in a physical office environment. Whilst I was able to easily make friends, often long-term, I was also easily taken advantage of for my friendly endeavors such as my strong work ethic and performance in each occupancy. Physical office pros and restraints aside, I became burnt out living in the Bay Area and was never happy in Ireland, both major locations for tech headquarters. I needed a fresh start and set my eyes beyond the USA and the EU. I wanted a challenge and found myself moving to Toronto, Canada.

I came here on the premise of an easy working visa which turned out to be a much more tumulus and difficult goal than first perceived. I was on limited savings and had a deadline in order to source income, something I would never hone through illegal means. I didn’t want to leave Canada and realized that, until I acquired my social insurance number, I would not be able to work here. That’s when I started looking into remote jobs. Lo and behold, here I am 7 months into the best career I have ever worked.

Whilst I originally stumbled into my current profession out of desperation, I knew going into it that it would be long-term and I have not looked back since. Even with the legal means to work now, I have made this remote career my primary choice with no regrets. It was hard to adjust to this new form of self-discipline, as somebody who thrives off of being around people and feeding into social energy.

I began rebuilding and recovering from months of being out of work and funneling money into immigration, rent, food, and other such necessities. As such, I made cafés my office of choice for the first few months. When I had finally recovered and had the means, I thought to myself, what if there were spaces where other freelancers and remote workers could come together?

It was this thought that led to me to discover a bevy of fantastic co-working spaces in Toronto. After some in-depth research, I settled on Project Spaces. I now have a place where I can go to work with like-minded people. Whilst I appreciate and love the freedom of being able to carry out a job I love on a remote location basis, it is always nice to feel that you belong to a place and can network and meet other persons carrying out the same or similar goals to you. People who understand and relate.

This space allows me to carry out my 9-5 as well as any schooling I may have whenever I need. There’s coffee and a wonderful selection of teas included in the membership alongside health care and a slew of other benefits. The office pups here are always a nice bonus, too (you can bring your own). Plus, there are a variety of different seating options and other activities you may partake in such as Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas party, or even happy hour. I have also formed friendships here that I know I will treasure for a lifetime. I no longer feel that hollowness of working in solitude. I am back to feeling complete without having to sacrifice a job I love so dearly.

My work performance and productivity have most definitely improved since joining. I’m able to better focus and learn. An example of benefits being a fellow remote colleague in the city has also joined. As my experience here will only continue to grow in satisfaction, I wholeheartedly recommend a co-working space for any freelancer or remote worker. Most have a free trial period and will more than happily allow you to experience a day in the space before buying in.