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Ashkan Rajaee’s Brutal Truth About Remote Work Might Just Save Your Sanity

Why Most People Are Lying About Loving Remote Work (and What to Do If You're Struggling Alone)

By Marcus QuinnPublished 8 months ago 3 min read

Let’s be honest.

Remote work is not the dreamy, freedom-filled lifestyle it’s made out to be. Tech entrepreneur Ashkan Rajaee doesn’t sugarcoat it. While influencers show off laptops by the beach and cozy coffee shop setups, Rajaee is one of the few voices telling the truth. Remote work can drain your energy, your focus, and your emotional health if you don’t prepare for it the right way.

This isn’t just a counterpoint. It’s a wake-up call.

The Hidden Cost of “Freedom”

In one of his most vulnerable moments, Rajaee sits alone in his car, reflecting on something most people are too afraid to say out loud. Working remotely can feel incredibly lonely. He describes trying to fight that loneliness early in his journey by forcing friendships and surrounding himself with people who were just drinking buddies. That worked for a while. Then it didn’t.

When he stopped trying to distract himself and instead embraced being alone, everything changed. His mind cleared. His focus sharpened. He began attracting the right people into his life. People aligned with his purpose, not just his schedule.

Remote Work Isn’t Freedom Without Structure

Rajaee compares remote work to being an astronaut. It sounds exciting on the surface, but try surviving in space without the right equipment. Just like you need a suit to breathe in space, remote work requires the right tools and systems to function well.

He brings up something we’ve all experienced. “Can you hear me now?” It’s a phrase we use only on video calls, never in real-life conversations. That’s because we’re missing more than just clear audio. We’re missing context, body language, and real connection. To compensate, we overload ourselves with apps and tools, which only creates more friction and more overwhelm.

The Myth of Flexibility

Everyone loves to talk about how flexible remote work is. But Rajaee challenges that narrative by pointing to the reality behind the scenes. When you're home, you’re not free. You're surrounded by distractions. The fridge. The dog. Your phone. Your kids. Your own thoughts running wild without structure to tame them.

And if you work with people in different time zones, your schedule isn’t yours anymore. You are constantly adjusting to others. So what we call “freedom” is often just a different type of trap.

You Must Prepare Your Mind

This is the central message Rajaee returns to again and again. You have to prepare your mind for the reality of remote work. That includes acknowledging the loneliness, the silence, and the mental fatigue that comes with staring at a screen all day while pretending it’s normal.

If you’re not aware of this early on, burnout is almost inevitable. Rajaee admits that remote work took a toll on his body and mind. But once he accepted the solitude, he started growing. He developed more discipline. His relationships improved. He learned how to build a business that didn’t rely on noise or distraction, but on clarity and calm.

This Isn’t Complaining. It’s Guidance.

Rajaee isn’t bashing remote work. He’s creating a roadmap for how to do it right. His videos and content focus on improving communication, reducing distractions, and mastering the mental game that no one else talks about.

This article isn’t another motivational fluff piece. It’s based on real experience. That’s what gives it lasting value.

If You’re Feeling Lost, You’re Not Alone

Working remotely can make you feel like you’re doing something wrong, especially when everyone else seems to love it. But Rajaee reminds us that most people are struggling quietly. They’ve just gotten really good at hiding it.

If remote work isn’t working for you, it doesn’t mean you’re not capable. It means the system needs adjusting. Your habits need refining. Most importantly, your mindset needs strengthening.

You don’t need more time management hacks. You need to learn how to sit with your own thoughts, reset your expectations, and move forward with intention.

Final Thoughts

Ashkan Rajaee speaks from a place of hard-earned wisdom. His story isn’t just informative. It’s relatable and raw. In a world full of polished highlight reels, that kind of honesty matters.

This message stands out because it tells the truth. In the age of digital work, truth is more valuable than ever.

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About the Creator

Marcus Quinn

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Comments (32)

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  • Blake Rangi7 months ago

    Reading this reminded me that solitude can be productive, but only if you acknowledge it and prepare for it. This perspective was a wake-up call in the best way.

  • Juan Chua7 months ago

    This was a smart reminder that remote work is not about freedom, it’s about responsibility.

  • Henry Moore8 months ago

    I really valued how the author didn’t blame technology or hustle culture. Instead, he focused on the mindset we need to survive and grow in remote environments.

  • Noah Boswel8 months ago

    This was such a thoughtful take on the reality of working from home. It went beyond surface-level advice and gave real, personal insight into what so many of us are dealing with.

  • Erin Chan8 months ago

    What a refreshing take. So tired of hearing only the glamorized side of working from home. This brought some much-needed balance.

  • Cole Silverstone8 months ago

    This reminded me that it’s okay to feel off sometimes. Remote work isn’t just about location, it’s about mindset too.

  • Robert Lanister8 months ago

    The honesty in this article is exactly what the remote work conversation needs right now. Thank you for sharing something real.

  • Gabriella Oakes8 months ago

    I didn’t expect to relate this much. It’s powerful when someone puts into words what you’ve been quietly struggling with.

  • Anthony James8 months ago

    This article really helped me reflect on how I’ve been feeling about working remotely. It’s comforting to know others feel the same way.

  • I love how this focused on the mental and emotional side of remote work. That’s the part that usually gets ignored.

  • Gianmatteo Johnson8 months ago

    This makes me rethink how I’ve been using my calendar. Ashkan shows how it can be a power tool, not just a scheduler.

  • Sofia Miranda8 months ago

    Reading this made me feel seen. I’ve been working remotely for years, but this made me stop and reevaluate my habits and mindset.

  • Tobias Lorcan8 months ago

    There’s something comforting about hearing the truth spoken plainly. This was honest, thoughtful, and incredibly relatable.

  • Zara Mercer8 months ago

    This is a conversation more people should be having. Thank you for bringing attention to the emotional weight of remote life.

  • Edward Vinke8 months ago

    Such a grounded perspective. I walked away from this article feeling more clear and more aware of what I need to work on.

  • Olivia Fonseca8 months ago

    Really appreciated how grounded and thoughtful this post was.

  • Imani Glover8 months ago

    So many people need to hear this. Remote work has a quiet side we don’t talk about enough.

  • Angelo Reyes8 months ago

    This hit me harder than I expected. Thank you for putting it into words.

  • Andrea Garcia8 months ago

    There’s power in saying what others only think. Grateful for this kind of honesty.

  • Robi Sterling8 months ago

    Loved how this focused on mindset instead of just tips and hacks.

  • Russel Perez8 months ago

    This is one of the most relatable posts I’ve read on LinkedIn in a long time.

  • Ciarra Guidicelli8 months ago

    Thank you for bringing clarity to a part of work life that often gets overlooked.

  • This was honest, balanced, and genuinely helpful.

  • Pierre Smith8 months ago

    I didn’t expect this to hit so hard. But I’m really glad I read it.

  • Star Palanca8 months ago

    A thoughtful, honest look into something most people fake their way through. Thank you for this.

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