It seems like everyone and their cat has an opinion on what the "most productive" way to work is; from expensive desk chairs, to standing desks with fancy walking pads, people love to tell you what you have to spend a ton of money on to be a more effective employee.

Me? I'm over here in the corner of a comfortable couch, pyjamas on, laptop on my knees, getting just as much work done as the rest of them.

I've never understood why people seem to think they need to be uncomfortable to be productive. With the recent rise in remote work, there's no shortage of people telling you their productivity hacks, including: wearing your shoes indoors to feel like you're out at the office, making sure you're dressed in business clothes even if you don't do any video calls, and removing all distractions from your workspace including any kind of artwork or home decorations! Thanks TikTok, but I'm good.

For me, the best way to get work done is to be comfortable. If I'm uncomfortable, I spend too long thinking about that instead of working, or I quickly decide I'm done and move away from the workspace anyway. Not ideal for getting work done! But if I'm in a comfortable seat, feeling calm and content, then why would I not do any work?

Now don't get me wrong, I love to take a photo of my laptop in the forest near a waterfall and hashtag it "work from home" just like anyone else, but that's just to appreciate the fact that I don't have to work in an office. When I try to actually do the work there, I just end up sore from sitting on an inconvenient rock or tree root. And coffee shops? For the aesthetic, sure, but trying to get work done with that much noise around me, people going in and out, having to order and pay for drinks that cut into my profits for the day, and worrying about overstaying my welcome? No thank you; I'll keep being boring.

It's not an exciting set-up, it's not the picture of perfect professionalism, but it's mine, and it's what works. People seem to have a weird affinity for trying to make me feel bad about that. If it doesn't work for you, that's fine, but that doesn't make it bad for everybody! Let everyone work however feels best for them, without feeling guilty for doing it "wrong". My brain is a lot more willing to focus when it's not also negotiating with my lower back about whether this chair was a mistake, but you do you.

If your version of getting things done needs a desk, an expensive coffee, or maybe a waterfall just out of frame, then that's great for you — no sarcasm here — I'm glad you found what works best for you. But if you've ever felt weirdly guilty about doing good work somewhere soft and cosy, you're not alone. Stick with me, we'll have a great time.