by Breanna Adamick

The classroom, workplace and world are constantly evolving, no matter where you are. Nothing is the same as it was 20, ten or even five years ago now. Some will say that is for the better—that we have so many advancements, technological and otherwise, that improve day-to-day living. Others will look back at those times a decade or so ago and wonder if we might have been better off keeping a few more things as they were. 

In my eyes, there is merit in both ways of thinking. Today, with ever-increasing opportunities for remote learning and working, we much more frequently have the choice of whether we want to interact with others and operate in a physical environment or if we want to stay within the comfort of our own homes. The trend is the latter, especially since the days of COVID-19 lockdowns. Technology has gotten to such a level that sometimes it can make it seem like nothing is lost when we choose to take classes only online or work entirely from home. It can even make it seem like an inconvenience to have to do something that is not offered remotely.  

I believe that there are some sizable drawbacks to this way of living, however, a main one being an increased feeling of isolation from society and from other people in general. During COVID, one of the main things people were always commenting on was how separated and isolated they felt, having to remain at home and away from people. That feeling of separation was due to a necessary constraint in society. Now, with lockdown lifted, I still hear some people discussing those same feelings of isolation and loneliness, but it could very possibly be self-inflicted this time, whether they realize it or not. There is less interaction and participation in classrooms, less engagement and physical attendance in a lot of work settings and sometimes less people putting effort into having a social life.  

There is a lot of support behind continuing to increase remote opportunities, which is not truly a bad thing. It is only fair to acknowledge some of the benefits of remote opportunities as well as the drawbacks. Access to more things online can increase the range of who can take advantage of the opportunities offered, as everyone’s situation is slightly different and not everyone may prosper from a strictly in-person experience of something. Some people may be more homebound than others in caring for children or family, not having access to reliable transportation or else have a condition that makes it increasingly difficult to consistently get out of the house. 

With this all said, I do not entirely oppose the expansion of online learning, working and other opportunities, as I recognize that it truly is very helpful for some people and having it as an option is excellent. It is merely the trend of many things going almost exclusively remote that concerns me, especially with there being very little discussion on the societal and social effect as a whole. Remote working, learning or living poses a challenge to forging real connections with others. It can increase a feeling of singularity and separation from both society and individuals in, perhaps, a similar situation or of a like mind.  

Sometimes I think we may not stop to realize what all we may be missing. The convenience of remoteness can distract us from what we can truly gain from being in a physical space with others. I am a big proponent of healthy solitude and the act of being a homebody…but if that cannot come with a little healthy balance and the understanding of what can await you outside your four walls, what is the point? What we can gain from physical interaction is the sharing of ideas, the bond formed from a group of people working together, the chance to sometimes make work feel a little less like…work. Would every experience out there be like that? Admittedly, no. Is there a lot more you can gain than lose if you try? Yes, I believe there is.  

I value the idea that someday I will be in my chosen career and will wake up many mornings excited to go to work that day, both to do work that I am passionate about and also to see coworkers that I enjoy collaborating and spending time with. I know I would not feel the same excitement in a remote scenario, where I do not get any of those physical interactions to make my day livelier and more interesting. Sometimes I believe that may be an aspect that is overlooked when considering a remote or in-person position, or when making the decision of ‘should I go into work/school today…or just stay home?’ 

No matter your mindset or reasons for one type of living or the other, I would invite you to consider the opportunities both present. There is a time and place for both remote and in-person in each person’s life, I believe, but a healthy balance of both can afford you a desirable variety of convenience and interpersonal connections. And even if going out will put you out of your comfort zone at times, it can be very valuable for feeling more like a part of the community, society and world, and lessening some of that separation and isolation we all may feel in certain instances, particularly since the pandemic. 

I would encourage anyone reading this to take the opportunity to do things in-person whenever possible. Remote working, learning and living is extremely convenient, but I believe there are elements of true living that are lost when one primarily settles for that. There is something about going places and connecting with people in-person that just cannot be translated as genuinely online. Do not let the convenience of technology keep you from going and living your life physically out in the world.