How Can You Overcome Loneliness When Working Remotely?
Working remotely has an unavoidable yet common dilemma - loneliness. Some are single individuals who live alone in new locations with no friends due to a new job or reassignment. Others have friends but these friends are also busy with their own lives and work.
Loneliness leads to stress and this stress accumulates leading to poor work performance. This is a topic that most employees nowadays and solopreneurs can relate to. So, here are ways to fight the feeling of isolation from staring at the computer all day.
1. Go to a co-working space
If you want to feel the office vibe but can’t due to the nature of your assignment, you can avail of a coworking space membership. The people you find may not be employees of your company but, you can still make acquaintances and engage in friendly conversations with them.
2. Make new friends
This applies to reassigned remote workers. You may be asked by your company to move to a faraway place from your home. Chances are, you don’t know anyone there. Don’t expect your neighbors to come to your doorstep with a welcoming gift basket. Go out, talk to them, and introduce yourself.
3. Get out of your home
Sometimes, getting busy at a co-working space can be distracting if you start to get comfortable with others. Gossiping and dramas might happen. Or co-working environments aren't just your option.
If this is the case, you can leave your house once or thrice a week. Work at a coffee shop, restaurant, or at the park. The background ambiance of these environments will help you feel less lonely and trapped compared to your home.
4. Have plans after work
Sitting in front of the computer alone all-day can cause anyone stress. It may be due to the repetitive cycle of sleep-eat-work. In the worst-case scenarios, it could lead to an existential crisis.
To prevent this from happening, invite your friends for a Friday night out, workout session, or simply a movie marathon. As long as it’s an activity you all enjoy, plan it together, and make a schedule for it.
5. Use video chatting and conferencing platforms
Do you miss your officemates and boss? No problem. Invite them for talks over Skype, Zoom, or FaceTime. And don’t limit these platforms for office-related communications. Use them to get in touch with your family or friends as well.
They may not be there but sometimes seeing their faces can provide relief for loneliness. Talk about life updates if you’re all comfortable with it. Voice out your feelings. Do whatever you normally do in person but in the virtual space this time.
6. Visit the local HQ
Ask your boss or officemates to hold a gathering. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an entire company event. A team get-together will do. Or, you can ask your superior to allow working at the office at least once a week.
If the option isn’t doable, then suggest a new system to pass physical documents in person instead of relying on emails. What’s important here is, you and your colleagues get to see each other for once in a while.
7. Enroll in a fitness class
Another way to make new friends as well as having plans after work is a fitness class. It’s a double win for you. Not only do you get to foster new relationships while making most of your time, but you also learn to take better care of your health.
The moment you start to feel pent up by the loneliness of working remotely, always stand up and take a deep breath. Go out of your home if you want to. Don’t hesitate to call someone who isn’t busy. Make plans with them if they’re available after working hours. If all of your contacts aren’t available for hanging out or long-distance communications, make new friends.