This post is written by Adventurely. Join the Adventurely Cowork Social on Thursday, Oct 24th in partnership with Freelancers Union, Freelancers Hub & Avo (formerly known as Avocaderia) at Freelancers Hub, Industry City Brooklyn NY. Learn more & book your spot at http://www.adventurely.app/@freelancershub

We’ve all seen the headlines: “Remote work is over,” or “Everyone will be back to full-time office next year.” But the reality? Remote work isn’t just alive—it’s thriving. 67% of U.S. businesses still offer hybrid work, and a staggering 95% of US workers want to continue working remotely. 

As for some of the high profile cases in the media that your mind might be wandering to with harsh RTO mandates, it’s been reported that 73% of employees at those companies are considering to quit. 

And here's the kicker: the relentless media narrative that remote work is “over” might be ironically pushing more Americans to go freelance just so they can continue working remotely without fear of it being revoked by an employer. 

Over the past year, the number of freelancers in the U.S. skyrocketed from 64 million people in 2023 to an estimated 76.4 million in 2024. That’s millions of people increasingly leaving traditional jobs in favor of freelancing for more control over their time and their ability to work remotely. 

The idea that in-office work is a magic bullet for productivity does honestly carry some value for team collaboration on a hybrid schedule, but for full time 5 days a week, it can sometimes lead to a decrease in productivity. Office culture can in many cases be distracting, time consuming with commutes, and performative for optics. More about looking busy than actually getting things done. On the other hand- remote work allows you to structure your day in a way that suits your personal flow and optimizes your output for clients & stakeholders. The flexibility remote work can offer you is invaluable for creating a healthier work-life balance—and yes, a life filled with more joy and fun. 

But let's be clear—incorporating more joy and fun in your life as a remote worker (employed or self-employed as a freelancer or entrepreneur) doesn’t mean slacking off. Slacking off and dismissing work is not cool and not the goal! It’s about working smarter, not harder to enjoy a balanced, more fulfilling life.

If you’re curious about ways to stay productive as a remote freelancer while incorporating more joy and fun in your life, here’s 3 ways: 

1. Time Management is Your BFF for fun

It might sound counterintuitive, but to have more fun in your life as a remote freelancer, you’ll need to be a maverick with time management. The better you are at mastering your remote schedule, and being disciplined about it - the more freedom you’ll have to incorporate small joys of happiness and balance—whether it’s a midday nap, a yoga class, errands, hobbies or even extra time with loved ones. With a little bit of planning, you can build flexibility into your routine so you’re not just squeezing life into your work, but blending the two seamlessly.

2. Automate & Asynch with Tech

Working remotely often means you don’t need to be online at the same time as your clients. This asynchronous (asynch) workflow allows you to handle tasks on your own time while still meeting deadlines and maintaining communication through channels like Slack or Loom. Tools like Trello, Asana, and email scheduling with gmail can help you organize and automate recurring tasks, send emails at optimal times, and track progress. By embracing asynch tools and communication, you free up your day to focus on deep work, which means fewer distractions and more time to fit in fun activities and passions that make your life more enjoyable.

3. Find Ways to Occasionally Mix Work & Play

Not all remote workdays are created equal, and that’s the beauty of it. Some days, being in the quiet of your home or in a private office space will help you knock out deep work, free from distractions. Other days, especially when you’re in a creative rut or feeling the physical toll of burnout, working remotely from off-the-beaten path spaces like restaurants, cafes & hotels common areas can give you the boost of inspiration you need, or let you indulge in needed self-care with great food, aesthetics and wellness facilities to enjoy while you work.  

If you love the vibe of working from cafes, restaurants, or hotel lounges but hate the awkwardness of feeling like you've overstayed your welcome—or the constant pressure to keep ordering—Adventurely can help. With our platform, you can book a spot in these inspiring spaces, ensuring you have the freedom to stay productive and comfortable, without the hassle of worrying about time limits or expectations.

We also just launched Adventurely Cowork Socials - our event-based approach to group coworking where you can book a day pass to work from one of our partner properties with a full day of programming to work, eat, connect & play alongside a group of like-minded people.

The first Adventurely Cowork Social is happening Thursday, Oct 24th in partnership with Freelancers Union, Freelancers Hub & Avo (formerly known as Avocaderia) at Freelancers Hub, Industry City Brooklyn NY. It goes from 9am-8pm and includes lunch and a speed networking session. We’ll also enjoy the awesome community Art show happening that same evening at the Hub to close the work day. Learn more & book your spot at http://www.adventurely.app/@freelancershub

Remote work has opened the door to a new way of living—one that’s not just about career productivity, but also about having a tangible path to a fulfilling, balanced life with it. By implementing the right strategies, you can stay on top of your work while embracing the flexibility, fun, and freedom that comes with it. Whether it’s mastering your schedule, leveraging asynch tools, or mixing work and play, remote work is full of opportunities to make your workdays as enjoyable as they are productive. Make the most of it and design a life with it that actually works for you.