7 Ways to Lessen the Feeling of Isolation in Work From Home Jobs
There is a storyline that working from home is isolating, and sometimes that can be true. But, if you think back to a time when everyone was together in an open office plan and everyone sat there with noise-canceling headphones, was that less isolating? It was certainly more disruptive and even though your work colleague sat a few chairs away, you still Slacked them versus speaking to them. Even when you worked in an office, going out to lunch or coffee, mentoring, and getting involved in the culture of the company still took a personal outreach effort.
Was this really less isolating? Everyone with headphones so collaboration still took effort!
Much has been said about the moments of serendipity at the water cooler or office kitchen, but with the right attitude and a few proactive steps, you can create office culture, collaborate, and feel not quite so alone in your work-from-home space!
If you are feeling isolated, remember that proactive steps don’t fall into your lap. Here are some helpful ideas to lessen that isolation.
The “Stand-Up” Meeting: Set up regular video calls with your colleagues or manager to catch up and discuss work-related matters. These calls can help you feel more connected and less isolated. Keep them regular and short so your whole day is not spent in meetings.
Join online communities: Join online groups or communities related to your industry or interests. These communities can provide opportunities to connect with others with similar interests and experiences. Check out Inside.com for lots of connection opportunities! Inside has a topic of interest for everyone and cool virtual meeting guests.
Phone a Friend: Make sure to stay in touch with your family and friends in “long form,” not just by text or by sharing TikTok videos. Use video calls or phone calls to catch up and stay connected. Rest assured, your talking on the phone from your home office isn’t disturbing a cubicle mate nor are you forced to sit in those phone booth closets in an open office!
Remember also that sometimes it really makes a difference if you actually get together in person now that we are back to our new normal.
Walking with purpose: Take breaks and go for a walk outside to get some fresh air and sunlight. It’s even more fun if you plan an early morning “Coffee Walk-y” or a happy hour “Walk and Wine” with someone. You would be surprised how many people would love the idea of a brisk walk to a happy hour spot, including work colleagues! Check out this Wall Street Journal article about Women Who Walk, someone saw that need for exercise and friendship and created a movement!
Plan an offsite event or go to a conference: If you have the budget and your team can pull it off, it is nice to bring everyone together for a collaboration session. Just make sure you have a solid agenda and a real purpose for being there so you are wasting anyone's time. These events can provide opportunities to learn and connect with others
OOO stuff: Take a class, join a gym or pickleball league. Book groups, knitting projects, hiking groups, and ultimate frisbee teams are all great. Fill the hours outside the workday with something other than scrolling on your phone!
Volunteer: There is so much need and there are so many terrific organizations. Research shows that when you put other people’s needs above your own, it helps you feel pretty good about yourself.
Make an effort to connect with colleagues during and after the work day.
For more suggestions, here is a Washington Post article published on March 9th. One key point is that remote work does have its own set of challenges to form tight relationships, but says that can be overcome by “being intentional about fostering relationships.” You need to put a little work in to grow those relationships, and this is doubly true for managers training the next generation. By implementing these suggestions, you can lessen the feeling of isolation when working from home and stay connected with colleagues, friends, and family.