This struck a cord with me. I started working remotely way before the pandemic and the first year or two were rough, as I'd lost the ability to spend time with work friends. However, I eventually (especially as my kids reached school age) was able to start building relationships in my community that weren't work related. These friendships, broadly speaking, are healthier than my when I had many more "work friends." As the article talks about, the level of enjoyment and stress relief is just higher then sighting time with work friends. Perhaps going fully remote wasn't necessary to get there, but I'm now happy with where I am.

Although perhaps "do nothing for you" isn't quite right. My dearest friends from childhood don't work any where near tech. One does facilities maintenance on a golf course. However, there are times when I feel awful- after the death of a relative, a problem or setback at work, or a when I'm frustrated by my family. I'll call up one or some of these old friends and at the end feel better. Sometimes it's because they were able to give me perspective, sometimes because they could remind me of who I am and what my values are, and sometimes just because it's good to hear thier voice. However, they inevitably make me feel better, restore my confidence, or help me focus, and that is definitely something.