I recently traveled to Bath, England, for a “workation” trip that reminded me how much I value community, whether it’s the one I know well or the one I’m getting to know!
When we arrived in Bath, I needed to find a temporary workspace with a hot cup of tea, a reliable internet connection, and an environment that inspired me. Remembering how my experiences at Cowork Frederick boosted my appreciation of community, productivity, and spirit, I knew that a coworking space was exactly what I needed. Eager to replicate this experience across the pond, I found everything on my punch list at The House of St. John’s, a coworking space in the heart of this charming city. While I was expecting a solid surface to put my laptop on and a decent connection speed, I made new friends, received fantastic restaurant recommendations, and emerged with a sense of community on a different continent.
If you have the flexibility to work remotely either all or some of the time, coworking spaces offer the perfect middle ground between the solitude of working from home and the structure of a traditional business environment. Here’s what I enjoyed the most:
Breaking the Isolation Bubble
Let’s face it: remote work can be lonely. Coworking spaces offer an immediate solution by putting you in a room full of other professionals tackling their own projects. Just being around others elevated my mood and made me feel part of a community of people devoted to their work.
Diverse Professional Networks at My Fingertips
While a local coffee shop can offer lightning-fast Wi-Fi with your latte, coworking spaces offer incredible value, as they bring together professionals from various industries and backgrounds. This diversity creates an environment that’s ripe for unexpected collaborations. You never know: the consultant sitting next to you today might become a trusted advisor tomorrow!
Structured Community Events
Quality coworking spaces organize regular community events like workshops, happy hours, and lunch-and-learns. These structured gatherings make networking feel natural, not forced, helping members make connections while developing new skills.
Knowledge Exchange
Need feedback on a project? Looking for a recommendation for a specific service? Or how about finding the best fish and chip shop in town (I was in the U.K., after all)? In a coworking space, you’re surrounded by a brain trust of professionals willing to share their expertise. This informal knowledge exchange happens organically by the tea kettle, the Keurig, or in common lounge areas, creating a collaborative atmosphere that benefits everyone.
Collaboration Zones Designed for Interaction
Modern coworking spaces are thoughtfully designed with collaboration in mind. From inviting terraces to dedicated meeting rooms, these spaces welcome planned collaborations and spontaneous brainstorming sessions. The physical environment itself encourages interaction rather than isolation.
Accountability Through Community
During my time at The House of St. John’s, I gained built-in accountability partners. The familiar faces I saw each day became friends who boosted my productivity and my commitment to my goals.
Cross-Pollination of Ideas
I love the cross-pollination of ideas that happens when professionals from different industries work side by side. The marketing specialist overhearing a business owner’s challenge might offer an unexpected perspective. The IT professional at the hot desk next to you might have a tech hack that can save you time. These cross-disciplinary interactions can generate solutions that are specific to these environments.
Creating Work-Life Balance Together
I’m guilty as charged: as a business owner, I often blur the boundaries between my work and my personal life. Coworking communities address this by creating distinct physical spaces for work while also emphasizing well-being. From yoga classes to communal lunches, these spaces encourage members to maintain healthy work-life integration.
Finding Your Coworking Community
Don’t get me wrong: the continued popularity of remote work doesn’t have to mean the end of a workplace community. Coworking spaces prove that connection can thrive outside traditional office structures—perhaps even more authentically. For remote workers seeking the perfect balance between independence and community, these spaces offer not just a desk, but a sense of belonging in a digital work landscape.
How do coworking spaces energize your jurisdictions? We’d love to hear about the amenities, the learning opportunities, and the connections that your coworking space creates to bring people together!
