For freelancing creative professionals today, hunkering down together in formerly abandoned warehouses to foster collaboration and idea sharing has become somewhat of the status quo. Research shows that 33% of today’s workforce is independent or freelance—and this workforce naturally needs desks to occupy.
If it’s between ‘zooming’ in pajamas or the regularity and community that a collaborative work space espouses, it’s very easy to understand why so many freelancers are opting for membership packages these days. But is the price tag really worth it, or are we better off sticking with coffee shops and local libraries?
Co-working spaces can be very useful. Being part of a membership workspace can help with promotion and introduce you to a lot of people. But for some individuals, maybe working in more creative roles, the atmosphere of a co-working space can ultimately be a problem.
Co-working spaces present themselves as a home for the digital nomad. Freelance and remote work is increasingly correlated with anxiety, due to its temporary ‘gig’ nature and the lack of regulations to protect freelance workers. Co-working spaces profit from this anxiety, because they present themselves as an antidote to isolation and loneliness.
The truth is whether or not co-working is right for you depends entirely on the business you’re running, and what kind of environment you work best in.