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😳 Lifestyles of the Remote and Flexible đŸŽȘ

The Wild, Wonderful, and Wonderfully Weird World of Remote Work

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Darcy Marie Mayfield & Katie Jackson
August 14, 2025

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Thrive Remotely is your weekly inspiration to leverage working remotely and live life to its fullest.

Greetings Chaos Connoisseurs-

From pets hijacking Zoom calls to working from mall play areas, remote work has never been just about work. It’s about the hilariously human moments in between—the ones that remind us we’re not robots, and thank goodness for that.

This week, Katie Jackson invites us into her home-office-turned-animal-circus (spoiler: Dennis the chameleon has opinions), while Darcy Mayfield shows us how to find your flow even when life insists on being delightfully messy.

These stories will make you laugh, nod in solidarity, and maybe even rethink what “professional” really means. Because thriving remotely isn’t about controlling the chaos—it’s about embracing it.

P.S. Please share this with your remote friends, help us convert more cubicle prisoners!

— Ric & Shellie

LIFESTYLE

Designing a Remote Life You Love: The Beautiful Chaos Edition

Monthly column by Darcy Marie Mayfield

Think your remote work setup needs to look Instagram-perfect? 

Here's a plot twist: the chaos is actually your superpower. Your unmade bed in Zoom backgrounds and coffee-stained notebooks aren't flaws—they're features that make you irresistibly human. We've cracked the code on why messy workers are magnetic workers. 

But the real secret lies in how to weaponize your beautiful disaster! 😂

QUICK TAKES

Bright Moments

✅ Best Remote Work Summer Stories

✅ Stories That Prove a Remote Job Requires Nerves of Steel

✅ 11 Stories of People Making Their Lives Better with Flexible Work

LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULTS

What's your most wonderfully weird remote work moment?

“It might not always be a beach setting, but in my travels as a digital nomad, it's been really cool to discover some incredible coffee shops, restaurants, and libraries as I've needed some quality WiFi time. Sometimes our work schedule can become an unofficial tour guide to places we wouldn't normally put on the "must see" list.” - Tyler

This Week’s Partner

Quick, hard-hitting business news.

Morning Brew was built on a simple idea: business news doesn’t have to be boring.

Today, it’s the fastest-growing newsletter in the country with over 4.2 million readers—thanks to a format that makes staying informed both easy and enjoyable.

Each morning, Morning Brew delivers the day’s biggest stories—from Wall Street to Silicon Valley and beyond—in bite-sized reads packed with facts, not fluff, and just enough wit to keep things interesting.

Try the newsletter for free and see why busy professionals are ditching jargon-heavy, traditional business media for a smarter, faster way to stay in the loop.

WORKING REMOTELY

The Unmuted Circus I Call Home

by Katie Jackson, Head Zookeeper & Sometimes Marketer

Ever wonder if you're "doing remote work right" while your dog alerts the neighborhood about suspicious leaves? 

Katie's learned that confidence doesn't come from perfect conditions—it comes from leading calls while cradling fishbowls. Her tornado-in-the-bathtub moment will change how you see your own beautiful chaos. 

But wait until you hear about Dumbledore's great escape.

THE VIBE

News to Use

🔆 Here’s Why Improvising Works Better Than Planning. This isn’t an argument against planning. It’s a call to rethink what planning is for.

🔆 The new American dream: How entrepreneurs are building global brands from their rural homes. For nearly 25 years, Amazon has helped independent sellers grow their companies—and their communities.

🔆 Forget WeWork and Airbnb: inside the company nailing remote working. The under-the-radar company setting a new standard for remote working.

🔆 Purpose Is the New Flow. Purpose-driven activities naturally lead to flow and sustained happiness.

POLL – NEXT WEEKS TOPIC

Next week: Amplify Your Personal Brand - Your personal brand differentiates you, informing others what to expect from interactions.

What's your biggest personal branding challenge as a remote worker?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Your People Are Gathering

Ready to swap your kitchen table for actual human interaction? 

Your fellow remote rebels are meeting up everywhere from Philadelphia devil's alleys to Boise breweries. Coffee dates, cocktail hours, and coworking sessions await—because even digital nomads need real conversations sometimes. 

Time to put on pants and join the fun!

đŸ—“ïž Check out the Community Calendar!

RESOURCES

Friends of Thrive

The Association for Entrepreneurship (AFE) – Freelance, Independent and Flexible Workers - Stop cobbling together your own benefits patchwork. Join thousands already protecting their lifestyle where traditional employers can't follow. AFE delivers what you need most: affordable health plans, retirement options, and financial tools designed for location-independent professionals. Learn more about the group benefit plans →

Marisol Colette — The Fashion Therapist at Sol Reflection
Getting dressed with intention—yes, even for your virtual meetings—creates an important psychological shift. A strong look can boost your confidence, sharpen your focus, and tell your brain (and your body), “I’m here. I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Special for Thrive Remotely readers: Mention this article to receive $150 off any styling service with Marisol. Your closet’s already full of clothes—let’s make sure they’re working as hard as you are. complimentary 20-minute consultation.

Cool newsletters you’ll love đŸ„°

🏠 The Handy Homeowner : Your Free Weekly Guide for the 100+ Million Homeowners in the U.S. and Canada

đŸ–ïž Anywhere Income : Remote friendly business models. Every week. In your inbox.

đŸ“¶ Content to Commas : This newsletter delivers weekly playbooks for creatorpreneurs who think like CEOs.

đŸŒș Find Joy in Your World Today

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