I changed my mind about remote work this year. I used to think it was strictly better — I was more productive, I saved two hours of commuting, I could structure my day around my energy instead of someone else's calendar. Then I started a new role in February and realized how much I'd been coasting on relationships I built in person at my last job. The people I collaborated best with remotely were people I'd already sat next to for a year. Starting from zero, fully remote, I had no idea who to ask about anything. Slack channels feel like shouting into a crowd when you don't know anyone in it. I don't think remote work is bad. I think it's expensive in ways that don't show up for 6-12 months, and the cost is paid by new people more than existing ones.