I could use some encouragement and advice about my remote work career

(Long post; TL;DR)

Hi everyone! I’m a 29-year-old woman living in Mexico, and I’ll be turning 30 in about two months. I’d really appreciate your advice, especially from people who have been in a similar situation.

Since graduating from university, approximately 90% of my work experience has been remote, either as a freelancer or an independent contractor.

Over the past two years, I’ve been going through a very difficult period in my personal life. I moved out of my parents’ house after years of a very complicated family relationship. There were situations in which my own safety was at risk, and I eventually reached a point where I needed to leave.

I moved to another city to live with my sister and her family, but that situation also turned toxic. I constantly had to deal with criticism, demeaning comments, and mockery from my brother-in-law. My sister also contributed to that environment at times.

About a month ago, I moved to another city again to stay temporarily with a friend after going through another severe depressive episode.

All of this has taken a significant toll on both my mental and physical health. I’ve been dealing with anxiety, possible PTSD symptoms, sleep problems, persistent fatigue, and various physical symptoms. There have been periods when simply maintaining a routine and keeping up with my work responsibilities felt incredibly difficult. I’ve been feeling emotionally better lately, but I’m still trying to regain my stability.

Professionally, I currently have a freelance contract for a remote project, but it will probably end in December. I’ve been looking for new opportunities for about seven or eight months, and honestly, I’m tired of the uncertainty that comes with freelancing. I want a more stable job with employee benefits and a reliable income that will allow me to support myself financially.

The problem is that I don’t know which type of work arrangement would be best for me at this stage of my life.

On the one hand, I’d like to continue working remotely. I feel that working from home would give me more flexibility to manage my time, take care of my health, and continue preparing for my long-term goals. Some of my aspirations include working on government projects, eventually becoming a public servant, or finding a better-paying position at an NGO. I’m already involved in an NGO project, but my current income barely covers my basic expenses.

On the other hand, my family insists that I should try an in-person or hybrid job because it could help me develop more discipline, expand my professional network, and create better career opportunities.

The thing is, I’m actually pretty good at meeting people and building professional connections. My concern isn’t so much about socializing, but rather whether I currently have the physical and mental energy to adapt to an office environment. I’ve been working remotely for so long that I honestly don’t know how I’d handle commuting every day, following an in-person work schedule, and dealing with those additional demands while I’m still recovering.

Part of me wonders whether working outside the home could help me rebuild a routine, interact with other people more regularly, and improve my mental health. At the same time, I’m worried that I might end up exhausted and have even less time to dedicate to my personal projects.

On top of everything else, I feel pressured because I’m about to turn 30. Sometimes I feel like I’m falling behind in life. I have some savings, a work contract that might end soon, and I’m currently relying on a friend who has very kindly offered me a place to stay. It’s hard not to compare myself to other people my age who seem to have established careers, financial stability, and their lives figured out.

If you were in my situation, what path would you consider taking?

• Would you keep looking for a fully remote job, focusing on finding a regular employee position with benefits and greater stability?
• Would you look for a hybrid job to establish a more structured routine and interact with other people without giving up flexibility entirely?
• Would you try to get a fully in-person job, even if adjusting to it might be difficult, in the hope of gaining more career opportunities and building professional connections?
• Would you prioritize finding a stable job for now and temporarily put your personal projects on the back burner until you’re in a better financial and emotional position?

I’d especially love to hear from people who have transitioned from freelancing to regular employment, changed their work arrangements after going through a difficult period, or had to rebuild their careers around the age of 30.

What worked for you? What would you do differently if you could go back? If you were in my situation, which path would you choose and why?

I’d really appreciate any advice or personal experiences you’re willing to share. I feel like I’m at a point in my life where I need to make some important decisions, but I want to approach them realistically without making my health worse.

Note: The truth is, I’m someone who lives largely inside my own head; I don’t really enjoy socializing with others because I’m constantly thinking about my projects and how to move them forward. While I find it easy to make connections, I’ve always kept people at a distance and been guarded about opening up to form friendships (which is also why I like remote work).