Here’s what the “coworking experience” actually looks like - no filters, no fluff, and definitely no corporate jargon.
Shock 1: Nobody is actually looking at you
People who’ve never tried coworking often think they’ll be on display - as if everyone is secretly judging:
- how fast they type,
- what they’re eating for breakfast,
- what’s on their laptop screen,
- whether they’re scrolling Reddit instead of writing code.
The truth? No one has the time or energy to look at you. Everyone is dealing with their own mini day-to-day dramas: deadlines, managers, meetings, bug fixes, design drafts, and Excel sheets.
And honestly, that’s great for you! You realize you’re part of a small ecosystem - but nobody is focused on you.
Shock 2: The atmosphere makes you work… whether you planned to or not
There’s something strangely contagious about watching other people get things done. Science calls it the social facilitation effect, but to keep it simple: you work better when you see others working.
So:
- if someone is writing, somehow you feel like writing too,
- if someone is on a serious call, you instantly become more focused,
- if someone orders burek - okay, that one might ruin your concentration for a moment.
Coworking isn’t magic… but it definitely acts like a catalyst.
Shock 3: Breaks stop being “escapes” and start feeling like small rituals
At home, a break usually means: couch - TikTok - 30 minutes gone - wait, what was I doing again?
In a coworking space, breaks feel different. They’re refreshing and intentional:
- a coffee,
- a quick story with someone,
- a bit of fresh air,
- or a small life-hack conversation that you didn’t know you needed.
And then you go back to work - actually refreshed.
Shock 4: People are just… normal
Coworking isn’t a secret club of hoodie-wearing developers or a “startup brotherhood” talking only about investments and scaling strategies.
It’s a mix of everything:
- people working on different projects,
- freelancers,
- anyone who simply wants a change of environment,
- designers, marketers, developers, analysts, students,
- and sometimes someone who’s just reading a book and looks way calmer than the rest of us.
That’s the beauty of it: you feel like part of something diverse, without any pressure. No need to pretend or perform.
Shock 5: You realize it’s not about the desks - it’s about the energy
Yes, good internet, comfy chairs, and nice equipment help. But the real value of coworking is the feeling that you’re not doing your work alone.
You’re not stuck in a room where every day blends into the next. You’re not in a coffee shop where the waiter asks, “Anything else?” every 20 minutes.
In a coworking space, you’re surrounded by people who have the same goal as you: get something done today - anything.
That boosts your motivation.
Shock 6: You go home more satisfied than on days you work from home
Not because you always “do more” - some days you do, some days you don’t.
But because:
- you changed your environment,
- you saw other people,
- small interactions improved your day,
- you separated WORK from HOME (and from your bed),
- and you don't feel like you spent eight hours in a vacuum.
That’s a kind of mental luxury we didn’t even know we needed.
And yes, skeptics - I get you. But… you really should try it.
Coworking is one of those concepts that’s hard to fully explain. You can read about it, watch it, hear people talk about it, but the only way to understand it is to try it.
If you’ve never worked from a coworking space, maybe this is the small shift you’ve been missing: a new rhythm, a bit of different energy, and the feeling that you’re not alone in your workday.
And if it’s not for you - that’s fine. At least you’ll know you gave it a chance.
