Although many people believe that working from the comfort of their own couch in their favorite pajamas is the most blissful way to tackle one’s daily tasks, working from home is not always so rosy in real life. Naturally, it has its own set of perks, such as avoiding long commutes, not having to deal with annoying coworkers and scheduling one’s own time—and without anybody breathing down your neck!
But working from home can get quite lonely at times, especially if one has nobody to talk to during the entire day. Remote workers, freelancers and entrepreneurs based in their house might often feel isolated from the rest of the world, which can have negative consequences on their mental health, along with their ability to beat procrastination and to concentrate on the task at hand. Luckily, there are quite a few minor things anyone can incorporate in their day-to-day lives in order to feel less isolated whilst working from home. Here are 10 of them:
1. Work from a café
OK, this is not really ‘working from home,’ but it could be just around the corner from where you live! One of the easiest ways to feel less lonely is to dress up, go out with your laptop and work from an inviting place frequented by lots of people—like a café. Although working from a coffee shop can have its limitations—for example you cannot stay there for 8 hours while only having one cup of coffee—it can provide a great ambiance if you’re not too prone to distractions.
2. Join a coworking hub
For a more work-centric setting, you can always try out your local coworking hub. Not only will you be situated in a productivity-inducing environment, but you will also get the chance to meet other people in the same situation and perhaps even form some business partnerships along the way. After all, this is what coworking offices were basically built for: to provide a common meeting and working ground for remote workers, freelancers and solopreneurs.
3. Meet up with other remote workers
Get together with your new buddies from the coworking hub and other freelancer friends every now and then to discuss the pros and cons of the business. It can prove to be quite beneficial, even therapeutic, to have someone in the same boat with whom you can discuss the ins and outs of your profession and, equally importantly, the ups and downs of life as a freelancer or remote worker.
4. Join an online group aimed at freelancers
If you’re not interested in leaving the house or you simply don’t want to put on a proper pair of pants, then you can always talk with other remote workers in the virtual world. There are plenty of online groups for freelancers and remote workers—some are niched by profession whilst others discuss entrepreneurial life with a more general approach. By joining such a group you can not only get insight into how other people deal with the same challenges you might face daily, but you can also keep up with industry trends and be in the know about all the news regarding your line of work.
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5. Work part-time
Perhaps you’re not completely content with working from home and would still like to enjoy some perks of being an employee. If this is the case, then you can always take on a part-time job on the side as you build your entrepreneurial venture. This might contribute to being more focused at times when you are working from home, because you’ll likely have less time to procrastinate if you want to get the job done. It can also significantly lessen your feeling of isolation, because you’ll still get to interact with people on a daily basis.
6. Volunteer
If you’re eager to give back to the community you’re part of, you can always volunteer at a local organization. You will not only get the chance to connect with like-minded people, but you will also be able to enjoy the additional benefit of knowing that you’re part of a team that strives to make the world a better place.
7. Get a dog
For those in need of a little extra push to get off their couch or take a well-earned break from their busy schedules, getting a pet might be the best solution to their problems. A dog will definitely need to be taken for walks several times a day, which will force you to not only stretch out but also to see your neighborhood with new eyes, together with your furry friend.
8. Work out at the gym
While there are quite a few ways you can work out in the comfort of your own home, you might be interested in purchasing a membership at your local gym to combat the looming feeling of isolation. You can easily connect with people who have similar interests and get additionally motivated to train by seeing others working out, and of course you’ll get to enjoy the health benefits of exercising regularly.
9. Create or join a hobby group
If going to the gym is not exactly your cup of tea, then you can always pursue other hobbies you prefer whilst also involving other people with the same interests. Initiate a book club, commence a monthly meeting for board game fanatics, invite people over for a fun movie night or meet up with friends who play the same computer games. Whatever you might be interested in, it’s always possible to form a club of your own to regularly connect with like-minded individuals after work.
10. Schedule regular get-togethers with loved ones
Lastly, you should never underestimate the importance of keeping in touch with your friends and family. No matter how much work you have and how busy you are, you should always make time for those closest to you, those who will always encourage you to keep on your path if you’re ever doubtful and who are always available for supportive talks if you ever feel alone or isolated in your work.
