Working from home, dealing with isolation?

Does anyone here who works from home or who is self-employed deal with loneliness and/or isolation? Any tips on how to manage it? I currently go to coffee shops, take classes, take walks (anything to feel I exist in the real world lol) — and it helps, but I find it really hard when classes aren’t available or I don’t make it out to a coffee shop. I’m wondering if there are other ideas out there for ways to manage loneliness / isolation.

j vv

Date posted: 2d

I totally get you! Maybe there is a way to make work less lonely, too. If you have a friend that can join a video call or discord channel so you can keep each other company while working, that could be fun. You could mute for a sprint, then take a quick break to chat after 50 min or so, water cooler style.. If you have friends who work from home, you could try a co-working day at one another’s places! Being at work alone is tough. Sometimes, I like to find casual podcasts of people having fun that aren’t too distracting. Taking a moment to build up a quick playlist helps me stay focused without interruptions to find “the next episode”. It seems especially hard to find community and long-term friends nowadays. I also go to clubs and classes (sewing, dance, etc.) and have a lot of fun with them.

Hobbit

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@j vv That’s a great idea about doing work with a friend 😊 — and podcasts are a great idea too, especially when I’m doing mindless tasks. Thank you for the suggestions!!

y_y

Date posted: Yesterday

I wfh but I feel like I don't want to see anybody because of that super flu 😢 I don't want people to touch me or being in places.

Hobbit

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@y_y Yeah, I know the feeling. My OCD both wants socializing (to not feel lonely) and doesn’t want to be near people (because illness & social anxiety). It’s so confused, sometimes I just hafta laugh/cry 😅🫠

bookishandi

Date posted: Yesterday

All great suggestions here! Another thing I’ve done is when I work at a coffee shop for a few hours, but regularly go to the same one. Learn the names of the folk who work there, say hi, ask how they’re doing. It doesn’t have to be a lot. But when you become a “regular,” you begin to feel like part of a community. It’s not that you have to become friends with the folks there, but it’s nice and makes those connections feel a little more social than just transactional.

Hobbit

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@bookishandi I love this. I should try this out — I’ve been going to the same coffee shop but they are SO BUSY that there isn’t any time to chat and the baristas are just trying to get through the line. I think I’ll try a smaller shop and at a slower time of day, just to see if I can feel a bit more connected to folks 😊

S.Y.

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2d

Maybe like clubs, library, interest groups etc? I have a friend that joined a clogging club because she’s into it and they learn routines and perform in the community. This is a good question that I struggle with sometimes too as a stay at home parent. Just attending a support group here helps some days for me.

Hobbit

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2d

@S.Y. That’s a great call out — I should try out one of the community groups here! Some place where I can just be myself and interact with folks, even if it’s virtual. Ooo and, yes, a dance class would be awesome — I’ll have to see what’s in my area. Thank you for the ideas — it’s also nice to know I’m not the only one who struggles with this ❤️

S.Y.

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2d

@Hobbit You’re welcome. That’s something I appreciate about NOCD, that between this space and the support groups you feel less alone. I hope you get more ideas from others here too.

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