Since opening our Baltimore office in 2017, we've embraced remote work, but lately, I've been hearing some troubling stories about its downsides. Friends are experiencing "Zoom fatigue" and feeling a loss of empathy without in-person interactions. One friend is opting out of social invitations for digital doom scrolling in their bedroom, while another is struggling with mental health due to a lack of routine and movement.
This made me reflect: Are we doing enough to counteract the challenges of remote work?
Leaving my online productivity bubble has revealed the value of small moments that digital cannot replace—like the introspection during my commute, the expression wardrobe brings, and the fascinating lives of those around me (like my barista, a wilderness survival expert). Camaraderie built through face-to-face conversations is irreplaceable. And we're finding new ways to double back down on the IRL over URL in our daily lives.
I'm sharing this because many people I know are fatigued by constant screen time, and are questioning their choices. The decision to attend an event now feels like a crucial reclaiming of identity, where an invite can spark the connections we’ve missed—filled with serendipity, intimacy, and a touch of discomfort.