Rant: That "just use a coworking space" advice was garbage for me

My buddy Dave kept saying I needed to rent a desk at WeWork to stay focused. I tried it for 3 months in Chiang Mai and spent $450 total. Turns out I hate the open office noise and small talk even more than my crappy hostel wifi. Now I work from coffee shops or my room with noise cancelling earbuds and get way more done. Has anyone else found coworking spaces overrated or am I just antisocial?

3 comments

3 Comments

rileygarcia10d agoTop Commenter

Coworking spaces are a game changer if you actually use them right. You went to Chiang Mai where the whole culture is built around socializing and distractions, then blamed the space. I've been using Spaces in Bangkok for 6 months and the quiet zones are dead silent, plus there's a phone booth for calls. The small talk issue is just about picking a desk away from the kitchen and wearing headphones like you're busy. $450 for 3 months is $150 a month which is super cheap for a dedicated desk, you basically got a bargain and still complained. Maybe try a proper focused coworking chain in a business district next time instead of a trendy digital nomad spot.

the_susan10d ago

Had a friend try a similar spot in Bali and @rileygarcia, she said the same thing about picking the right desk.

dylan_brown3010d ago

Why does everyone act like the desk choice is some kind of secret hack though? If the whole culture of the place is built around socializing, picking a desk across the room isn't gonna fix that. I've been to coworking spots where the "quiet zone" is basically just a suggestion and people still chat right next to you. Headphones only block so much when someone is literally standing two feet away talking about their travel plans. It sounds like the space itself has a vibe problem, not that the friend picked the wrong table. You shouldn't have to play musical chairs every morning just to get some work done.