In our evolving work landscape, the concept of hybrid work is becoming increasingly important. It means that people combine their city jobs with a lifestyle in the countryside, for example, through part-time farming or other activities. This lifestyle aims to bring the best of both worlds: the excitement of city life and the tranquility of nature. But what exactly is behind this trend, and why are more and more people choosing it?
What is Hybrid Work?
Hybrid work means that people combine their urban life with a rural lifestyle. In France, this trend is becoming increasingly popular. Many “slasheurs” (a mix of “hunter-gatherers” and people with multiple careers) combine their city jobs with tasks on a farm or in a garden. This way of working provides a healthy balance between professional success and personal well-being.
The appeal lies in the variety: people have different tasks that mentally challenge them while offering a new perspective on their work and life. It’s about combining the benefits of urban infrastructure with the peace and simplicity of rural life.
Why Do People Engage in Hybrid Work?
Many people choose hybrid work because they want to give more meaning to their lives and seek a better balance between work and leisure. They are often dissatisfied with office routines, which they find boring and often stressful. Many feel burnt out and are looking for a way to find more fulfillment again.
A good example is Matthew Charlton, a teacher at Sorbonne University. He spends more than half of his week growing watercress on a small farm about 64 kilometers south of Paris. For him, the simplicity of growing watercress, which doesn’t require expensive machinery, is a welcome change from the stressful city life. Working outdoors helps him clear his mind and find a clear purpose in his daily life.
Marie Paitier is also a great example of hybrid work. She is both a human resources consultant and a cider maker. She splits her time between Paris and Normandy. After she and her husband became burned out in the office, they found a healthier lifestyle through working on the land, which gave them new energy.
Flexibility as the Key
A major advantage of hybrid work is flexibility. Many “slasheurs” come from various professions, such as lawyers, engineers, or consultants. Some of them own small plots of land they have inherited, purchased, or rented. Others work with farmers to share resources.
Thanks to technological advances, like remote work and artificial intelligence, these people can easily commute between city and countryside. The internet makes it possible to work from anywhere, and many rural activities can be well-integrated into daily routines.
The Ecological Component of Hybrid Work
Hybrid work is also a response to growing ecological awareness. Farming, especially on a small scale, provides an opportunity to produce good and healthy food. Combining office work with farming helps people regain a better understanding of nature and to use resources more consciously.
Julien Maudet, a former data engineer, founded an organization called “Slasheurs-cueilleurs” (Slasher-Gatherers) that promotes hybrid careers. The idea came to him during the COVID-19 lockdowns when he fled to his grandparents’ farm in Normandy and discovered a community already living in a similar way.
The organization shows that urban work and farming can complement each other well. Farming provides physical work and relaxation, while office work brings financial stability and intellectual challenges.
Technology Enables Hybrid Work
Technological advancements in recent years have made hybrid work possible. Remote work and home offices are now accepted in many companies. This way, people can work in the city a few days a week and spend the rest of the time in the countryside.
Artificial intelligence and automation often make it unnecessary to be in the office all the time. They give hybrid workers the freedom to work from more distant locations. This makes it easier to switch between city and country life.
Hybrid Work as a Model for the Future?
Hybrid work could be part of a broader societal shift. In a world increasingly shaped by automation and urbanization, combining city and rural life could be a solution to many problems. Farmers need more people to help them produce good food, and agriculture should not always become more industrialized. At the same time, office jobs could become more humane and meaningful through a connection to farming.
Challenges and Tips for Hybrid Work
While hybrid work has many advantages, there are challenges. One of the biggest is time management. Working on the land is often physically demanding and difficult to plan, while office work requires a lot of concentration. Successful hybrid workers are good at organizing their time and switching between tasks without losing energy.
Another issue is infrastructure. In rural areas, internet connections are often not as good as in the city. Therefore, it is important to be well-prepared, ensure a stable internet connection, and carefully plan which tasks can be done when.
Collaboration and networking are also important. It often helps to connect with other hybrid workers and exchange experiences. Organizations like “Slasheurs-cueilleurs” offer great opportunities to network and support each other.
Hybrid Work as a Life Enrichment
Hybrid work offers a wonderful way to combine the best of city and rural life and lead a more balanced life. You can get closer to nature, reduce stress, and still have financial security through office work. This lifestyle could be an answer to many modern problems such as burnout, environmental pollution, and alienation.
For anyone who wants to reconnect with nature without giving up the benefits of a job in the city, hybrid work is a real alternative. The combination of digital work and physical work could be the key to a more fulfilling life for many people – and to a sustainable future that benefits both people and nature.
