From City Life to Remote Work: A Journey of an iOS Developer
Introduction: My journey from the city to the suburbs
I’ve been in the IT field for over 7 years, and while I know that IT jobs are challenging, demanding, and lucrative, it’s still a very rewarding and fulfilling job. My first job was in a city in the country’s south, and a few years later I moved to another highly urbanized city far away from my hometown.
Working in a densely populated city like Metro Manila was a thrilling experience for me, particularly as a software developer. I got to work with and meet a lot of people in the tech industry. However, the traffic and pollution were terrible, and it took a significant amount of time just to travel to and from work. Budgeting is a needed skill to survive. Despite these challenges, I learned to adapt and thrive in the environment, but the pandemic presented a unique opportunity for me to move back to Mindanao and work remotely.
TL;DR:
I moved from Metro Manila to Mindanao during the pandemic to work remotely as an iOS developer. Despite some challenges, I discover the benefits of working in a more relaxed and natural environment. If want to consider in working remotely as an iOS developer, here are some tips: invest in reliable internet and workspace, establish clear boundaries, stay connected with your team, and pursue your personal growth.
Reasons for moving: ✈️
The pandemic has been a turning point for many people, including myself. It offered an opportunity to explore new things and opportunities that I hadn’t considered before.
My current company allowed us to work remotely, which was a chance to be back home. The fast-paced lifestyle of the city can be both exciting and exhausting, and the pandemic made me realize that I was missing a lot back in my hometown, as well as in nearby cities. The prospect of being closer to family and friends, exploring new places, and enjoying a slower pace of life was too good to be missed. However, the transition wasn’t easy, particularly with internet connection stability being a challenge. We had to complete a lot of paperwork to travel, and there were so many restrictions due to the pandemic. As developers, we were already used to remote work, so it wasn’t something new to us. The decision to move was not an easy one, but I’m glad I took the leap.
Communication and Collaboration: “Can you hear me?”
Communication and collaboration were key components of our remote work setup. Working remotely meant that we were no longer in the same physical space as our colleagues, which made communicating using messaging apps a bit challenging when it comes to collaborating with teams and solving problems together. However, we were able to overcome this challenge by using the right tools for collaboration. Our team used a variety of tools such as Google Chat, Jamboard, LucidApp for creating charts and graphs, Zoom, and Google Meet. These tools allowed us to have better communication and collaborate effectively despite being miles apart.
Work-life balance: 10 reps of squats or 1000 lines of code?
Finding a routine that works for me was essential in making my day efficient, productive, and balanced. I had to develop new habits to adjust to remote work since we tend to overwork, and also relax too much. My typical routine now includes waking up early and doing some light exercises or heavy workouts on some days. Before starting work, I make sure to read technical books or watch tech videos related to software development to get myself in the right mindset.
Cooking at home can be time-consuming, so we sometimes order food online to save time. At the end of the day, I love sitting outside and just watching nature in a laid-back setting. Spending time with my family at night is also a priority for me. When winding down, I usually read motivational and self-help books to keep myself motivated and inspired.
Finding a routine that works for me was essential in making my day efficient, productive, and balanced.
Conclusion: Any Developer can work remotely but not for everyone.
Now that I have been working remotely for more than 2 years, I can say that it has been a positive experience for me. Of course, there are still some challenges and trade-offs, such as the limited social interaction, office perks, coffee break with co-workers, tech discussions, and gaming on breaks. However, I believe that with the right mindset and the right tools, anyone can thrive as a remote worker.
If you’re an iOS developer who’s considering working remotely, here are some tips that might help you:
- Invest in a reliable internet connection and backup options (e.g. mobile data, hotspot)
- Set up a comfortable and ergonomic workspace, with good lighting and ventilation. Better if your home office is in a separate room as your bed room.
- Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life, and avoid overworking or procrastinating.
- Stay connected with your team and your clients, through regular meetings and updates
- Pursue your interests and hobbies, and use your free time to learn new skills and broaden your perspective.
- Invest on books, and courses to fuel up your passion, increase in knowledge and skills.
Well, there you have it! As a proud resident of the countryside, I can say that remote work has been a game-changer for many of us. With remote work, we get to spend more time with our families, enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery, and work in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
But don’t let the laid-back lifestyle fool you! As Software developers, or people who work in in Tech, we are still on top of our game, and we continue to produce high-quality work for our clients. With the right tools and mindset, we can thrive in any work environment, whether in the city or in the countryside.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that remote work is not for everyone. Some people may thrive in a structured office environment and may find it difficult to stay motivated or focused while working from home with so much distractions.
Additionally, remote work can pose challenges for individuals who require in-person collaboration or have limited access to technology and internet connectivity. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of remote work and determine if it’s the right fit for your personal and professional goals.
Thanks for reading! Comment down if you have similar experiences, or you want to work remotely! Let me know your thoughts.
