How To Make Friends As A Remote Worker

Many subreddit communities (Reddit’s term for groups) cater to remote workers. You can find subreddits for almost any interest, including freelancing, https://remotemode.net/ digital nomads, entrepreneurship, and more. You don’t need to be a sports fanatic to get some exercise and meet new people at sporting events.

But as a remote worker, lunchtime meetups with friends and other connections can become a coveted part of your workday. Don’t wait until you feel lonely to reach out and plan a lunch date—instead, schedule a handful of social midday meals in advance each month to always have one to look forward to. Ensure that you include your personal connections and socialization efforts, as well as your professional ones. Feeling a sense of community is a surefire way to overcome lonely feelings while making new friends. Chances are you have a wide range of interests outside of work; finding a group that shares your appreciation should be a cinch! If you love art, history, or design, become a member of your favorite museum and attend the members-only events offered.

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Get involved in company social events, even if they’re virtual. For example, many companies now have virtual happy hours. Try telling an existing friend that you’re “looking to expand your social circle” and ask them who they think you should grab coffee with. Planting the seed that you’re someone who likes to connect will keep you top of mind to be included how to make friends when you work from home as your friends add new relationships of their own. To foster that feeling of connection coworkers have when they’re side-by-side for eight hours a day, you may want to put yourself in another group or team environment. Use the shared kitchen area to meet new people, talk about their jobs, make conversation about their interests or favorite snacks, etc.

Especially in the beginning of a career, a job was often the place where people forged real adult friendships. You may have met your spouse at the office and found lifelong mentors. If you can’t find a local group for remote workers, why not create one! You could set up a new group on Meetup or use social media to find other remote workers in your local area. There are plenty of online groups available that cater to remote workers.

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The more you engage with a person, the stronger a professional relationship—and personal friendship—you can build. Plus, the camaraderie and teamwork that often develops in martial arts training can be a great way to build strong friendships and connections. Even if you’re just making small talk in between sets, it’s a great way to stay connected and build relationships on common ground. The social atmosphere of a co-working space can also be a great way to stay motivated and inspired.

You’ll often interact with other community members and professionals who share a passion for the same cause. As a bonus, volunteering is an excellent boost for your resume. The day can slip away from you, so you might need to add personal calls to your to-do list. You don’t have to tell your parents that they’re a task on your list. Are you worried that it will eat up too much of your productive work time?

— Consider Volunteer Opportunities

Maybe the most important takeaway for how to make friends working from home is that it has to coincide with your own interests and work life. That is to say, the best way to socialize might just be by involving others in your work-life balance. You should firmly believe that you’re the biggest advocate of your own happiness and urge to make friends. So even if you’ve suffered from burnout or loneliness, make yourself the harbinger of good things to come. If you don’t have any kids or aren’t planning to, the same idea works for your pets. Dog parks and organized dog walks are an ideal way to meet other fur parents, talk about your pets, and maintain a more active lifestyle.

• Take advantage of this, ask a few questions and get chatting – you never know what you might learn.
• There are also lots of groups on Meetup.com that you can join.
• That’s hard to recreate in a video chat, but making those connections isn’t impossible.
• This could be a channel to share tips for keeping those houseplants alive, swap recipes and dinner ideas, or talk about the books people are reading.
• It’s no secret that loneliness has been linked with negative mental health outcomes.

When you plan and prioritize some time away from your desk and out of the house, you increase your chance of creating a healthy work-life blend while maintaining your career momentum. Sure, you could jump on the treadmill to take a break from your desk, but why not do double duty and plan to meet a friend for a run or go to a class at the gym? Since you have so much solo time already, be conscious and intentional about how you use your downtime. When you’re feeling lonely while working remotely, reach out and make plans with others. Use these tips to get out of the house and find social breaks. Workers Remotely is a website for people who work remotely, whether that’s from home, abroad, or even out of the office.