Cat, Coffee, Computer: My Remote Work Setup

A quiet home office in Kunming, a cat named Salmon curled up next to me, and developers from worldwild working with me, and this is my everyday work life.

For the past five years, I’ve worked remotely as a full-stack developer. But it wasn’t always like this. I used to feel stuck — geographically, professionally, and emotionally. This is the story of how remote work helped me build a better life, and how joining Shinetech brought that life full circle.

Stuck in a Beautiful City

I was born and raised in Kunming, a city known for its spring-like weather all year round, but not exactly for its software industry.

There are few international companies here, no major tech hubs, and most development work revolves around local bidding projects and small-scale custom software. Like many of my peers, I considered leaving Kunming for better opportunities in other cities or even other industries.

In my early years, I worked on everything from government platforms to CRM, medical supply chains, and data visualization. I even took on roles beyond development like project management, testing, pre-sales, post-sales, and ops. While I appreciated the experience, the outcome was often disappointing.

Then one day, at a small company with under ten developers, half the team was suddenly laid off — including me.

Remote Work 1.0 — Lessons from PwC

Sometimes life takes a turn when you least expect it.

One afternoon, my wife and I were having lunch downstairs from my old office when I received a call from a recruiter. She told me she had seen my resume and noticed that I had strong English skills. She asked if I would be interested in a fully remote position with a company based in Shanghai.

At first, it honestly sounded like a scam. A remote job opportunity, reaching out to a developer in Kunming, and from a company I had never heard of?

But my wife encouraged me to look into it. I did some research and discovered that the job was real and worth exploring. Over the next month, I went through five rounds of interviews and eventually landed my first remote role. That was the beginning of everything.

Joining PwC brought a big shift in how I worked. It was the first time I experienced structured workflows, formal project management, risk control, and global collaboration. I worked with colleagues from Ukraine, India, and the United States. Although we never met in person, we quickly became real teammates. We often had late-night meetings, but working together across different time zones to build meaningful applications was truly rewarding.

Eventually, PwC’s business in China slowed down, and I found myself searching for a new opportunity. This time, I knew exactly what I wanted — a remote job that would let me continue the life I had come to value.

Finding the Right Fit with Shinetech

One day while browsing job platforms, I came across Shinetech. The company and the role just felt right.

I quickly applied, and soon after, I was contacted by a recruiter named Yuan Xi. I want to thank her publicly, she wasn’t just an HR. She felt like a friend from the first conversation.

She told me something I still remember clearly: “I have confidence because everything I say is true. Shinetech gives me that confidence.”

Over half a year into my role at Shinetech, I can say she was absolutely right.

The interview process was fast. Three rounds of interviews didn’t feel like interrogations but more like conversations between future teammates, exploring whether we could build great things together.

By the time I received my offer, my doubts had vanished. I already felt like I belonged.

Not Just Another Remote Job — A Community

At shinetech, my new colleagues welcomed me warmly. Anytime I had questions, ideas, or suggestions, they offered support and encouragement. They gave me the confidence to speak up, to contribute.

Remote work often comes with a sense of loneliness. Before joining Shinetech, I worried about feeling disconnected — like just a name in a chat window.

But here, it’s different. In just six months, I’ve participated in meetups with other remote developers, joined monthly company meetings, contributed to our internal newsletter, and more. Colleagues from other teams regularly check in on my work and even my personal well-being.

I feel part of a family, not just a workforce.

How I Keep Work and Life in Sync

It took me a while to find my rhythm with remote work. There were times when I couldn’t concentrate, and other times when it felt like I was working nonstop.

What helped wasn’t a fancy productivity tool, but a shift in mindset. I realized that remote work didn’t mean bringing my job into my home. It meant giving my home a proper office.

I set up a dedicated room just for work. During working hours, that is where I stay, free from distractions — except for the occasional visit from my cat, Salmon. I follow a strict eight-hour schedule. No house chores during work time. No emails or coding after hours. It is just like working in an office, only more comfortable.

When I constantly switch between work and life, my efficiency drops and my stress goes up. But when I keep a clear boundary between the two, I stay more focused and enjoy both sides more.

Now I understand why companies like Google and Meta design their offices to be relaxing. It is not about being lazy. It is about creating an environment where people can think clearly and do their best work.

Since I do not commute, I have time to take care of small things before and after work — like picking up groceries, doing laundry, or simply relaxing. I can wear comfortable clothes, sit in a cozy chair, and truly enjoy what I do.

A Broader Horizon

Remote work has opened up the world.

It’s like the internet itself — pulling people closer together, making collaboration borderless. Thanks to platforms like GitHub, engineers from anywhere can build amazing things together.

That’s what I love most — the opportunity to work with brilliant minds around the world, from wherever I call home.

Shinetech felt like a team that shares my values, my curiosity, and my desire to do meaningful work. I see colleagues from across the globe — and we’re all living our lives fully while doing work we’re proud of.

I used to wonder if I had to choose between a good life and a good job. Now I know I don’t have to. With the right team, the right culture, and the right mindset, remote work can give us both. Thank you, Shinetech, for making that possible.

— Xiaochen Lou , Full-stack Developer @Shinetech, based in Kunming, China