Working remotely while living at home with parents can be filled with funny and not-so-amusing realities. When I first started freelancing in 2020, it was during my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year, a one-year compulsory program for Nigerian graduates to serve the country. That was also when I stumbled into the world of online courses, freelancing, and remote work.
Since then, I’ve worn many hats: from learning the skill of writing and social media management, to leading the content team at a top advertising agency here in Nigeria, a country in Africa, before resigning in 2023 to fully chase the remote-work life.
The idea of remote work sounded like the dream at first: no traffic, no endless commuting, no Lagos “rush hour” stress. But the reality of working remotely while still living with family? That’s a whole story on its own. From juggling household expectations to dealing with distractions and still chasing deadlines, the past three years have been full of funny, frustrating, and eye-opening experiences.
Here are some of the realities I’ve faced (and maybe you’ll relate to if you’ve worked remotely, whether in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, or even the U.S., and anywhere in the world):
1. Morning Routines Aren’t Really Yours
Many people believe that working remotely gives you full control over your time. However, this isn’t always true, especially in an African home. I prefer to work out early, from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. But since I started working from home, my mornings are a mix of jogging before 6 a.m., family prayers from 6 to 7 a.m., and house chores right after. By the time I finish, my well-planned “perfect productivity morning” is already disrupted.
It’s hilarious sometimes, I’ve been dressed for a client call when suddenly I hear: “Joy! Won’t you help out with chores!” Harvard Business Review on remote work boundaries shows that even globally, people struggle to draw lines between personal and professional time. In an African household, that line is nearly invisible.
2. Your Peak Creative Hours Can Be Hijacked
As a freelancer and content creator, I work best in the mid-morning or late at night. However, living with family means I face frequent interruptions. Because of this, I often find myself working late into the night, which can hurt my productivity during the day.
For example, I might be focused on writing a blog post and managing my emails when I suddenly hear, “Joy, let’s quickly go to the catfish farm. We have work there tomorrow, and you need to reschedule your plans!” (Yes, my family runs a catfish farm, and those ponds need attention.) You can read about my experiences with catfish farming in another post.
The truth is, no matter how flexible your job is, family responsibilities don’t go away. While you may save money on transport and avoid traffic jams, your work routine must adjust to family life.