My Venture Into Coworking
I used to think that working from home would be the most ideal situation. I could relax, sleep late, not have to get dressed, no commuting and even work my own hours. Shortly after I started working from home, I was exhausted and had no motivation to do anything; it was taking a huge toll on my mental health as well. I craved routine, my own office, people to talk to, but most importantly I craved a space where I could be creative, and unfortunately, the dining table wasn't cutting it anymore. I began to understand the importance of not only having a dedicated workspace separate from my home, but interacting with other people regularly.
That's when I learned about Coworking spaces! Coworking spaces are shared workspaces, which consist of people who work for a variety of companies or are self-employed. These spaces provide the infrastructure like Wi-Fi, coffee, utilities and an office manager to look after everything so that you don’t have to and can focus on what’s important – your work; whether that’s your own business or for your employer. Coworking promotes community, collaboration, and at the same time individuality, so you get a chance to meet and network with some amazing people.
After a quick Google search, I found Huddle Sharespace – one of the few spaces in Scarborough and just a quick 15 minutes from my home in the east end. Bonus – parking is provided! I booked a tour at Huddle and took them up on the offer of a free trial day. I met Aleema who is the Community Manager and she toured me through the space while explaining the different membership options. I was amazed at the space; it was not what I expected for an office space. Filled with black accent walls, tables, workspaces, a chill kitchen, fitness room and printing stations, there were so many areas that I could utilize. I instantly fell in love with the atmosphere and the design of the space.
It didn't take me long to make a decision, and a few days later I asked Aleema to sign me up for a membership. Huddle is such an awesome place to work and study. I've had the chance to meet great people who are all doing really neat things. Just being in a space where I can still make connections while social distancing is amazing, and I'm grateful for the level of care that they take with all the required COVID protocols.
Having to travel to a space gives me the motivation to wake up and get dressed, it gives me something to look forward to. Although to a caffeine addict like myself, just the sound of free coffee and tea would be enough to get me signed up! Oh, and did I mention that it's open 24/7?! That's what I love the most, I can come in at any time, any day, make myself coffee or dinner in the gorgeous kitchen, and leave when I want. Huddle is fully secured with cameras inside and out, so you never feel unsafe.
I truly wish I had known about Coworking spaces before, but it's never too late. It's a great option for freelancers, small business owners, students looking for a private office to study, or for the everyday person on the go who just needs a hot desk for a break from #wfh. You can check out Huddle on the ‘Connect’ page and if you have any questions, give Aleema a call. She's extremely helpful, and will go above and beyond to make sure you have what you need to be successful.
PS. If you're ever at Huddle, you'll probably see me making a cup of coffee or working hard, but make sure to say hello, I would love to chat.
Minnie D.
https://www.minniesweetmiracles.com/
