One of the toughest transitions of moving from pre-motherhood to a life with kids, is going from routine to chaos. I had always assumed that after my maternity leave, I would be going back to my 9-5. I didn’t know it at the time but the fate of my career as I knew it was as good-as-gone the second I welcomed my daughter into this world. Luckily, as the old adage goes: when one opportunity ends, it just makes room for something better to come and take its place.
Since quitting my corporate office job, I have started a remote job that has allowed me the joys and income of my previous career. But this change wasn’t always such a positive one as I grew frustrated at the constant interruptions and distractions that working at home provided me. I struggled through the first year of working at home until I found Serendipity Labs.
Serendipity Labs is a co-working space catered towards people like me, who have remote jobs but no designated space to call an office. They offer private offices, drop-in coworking, and conference spaces to work on collaborative work. Since opening their first location in Rye, NY in 2012, they have since expanded their business into 25 locations across the United States, and even have a few locations abroad, in the U.K.
Their locations are specifically chosen to be close to transportation, as well as dining and retail. What I love about Serendipity Labs is that they have options as to what kind of membership plan is right for you. You can do a one day drop in that costs $25, or if you are like me, and want to make as much use of the space as possible, a monthly plan, which is divided out to cost less than $5 a day. This can be even more accessible, when considering a shared plan, where you have the option to split the cost of an office with a team member. This option works best for those who adhere to a hybrid-style company. This is a great alternative to long-term leases and office sublets.
As the work that I do involves collaboration, I have especially grown fond of using the conference room as a central meeting spot to gather with my team and brainstorm upcoming projects.
Serendipity Labs has truly helped me gain back my vitality and identity as someone who is more than a mom. If the 2020 pandemic has taught us anything, we know that staying at home all day with your family can be extremely damaging to one’s mental well-being. I love my family, I love my home, and I love being a mom, but I am certain that the reason I love these aspects of my life is because I am able to have a life outside of these things. I have Serendipity Labs to thank, for helping me see that although I am capable of doing it all, I don’t have to struggle in the process.
Enjoy a free day of coworking when you sign up for a complimentary Worktopia membership plan!
By Hannah McMahon. Photos provided by Serendipity Labs. This article contains sponsored content.