How To Make Friends When You Work from Home?
Working remotely has its own benefits, such as enjoying a flexible schedule, enhancing your productivity, and saving commute time and money. However, working from home may lead to the feeling of isolation and loneliness. So, how to make friends when you work from home?
Making friends as an adult is a rather overwhelming and difficult task. As children and teenagers, we were used to hanging out with our peers and it was relatively easier to make new friendships.
But, as we age, the road leading to new friendships and connections might get a bit tedious. And to top it all, having remote jobs might add to these complications. So, let’s dive in and explore how you can make friends when you work from home.
Tips on How to Make Friends When You Work from Home
1. Reach out to your existing colleagues
Use the resources that you already have and reach out to your colleagues, as they might also feel the need to socialize and connect, just like you. Someone might have moved to a new city or might still be learning how to make friends in the given circumstances. In this way, you may be able to connect with like-minded people.
If you are not comfortable being friends with your colleagues, you can reach out to your friends or friends of friends or any other mutual connections and take it up from there.
2. Go online
Going online might seem counterproductive, but it isn’t! There are various apps, such as Bumble BFF, that might help you to make new friends. Also, using social media to your advantage is a great way of attending events and meeting new people. It is a great idea to connect with people and other remote workers who might share the same woes as you!
3. Try a coworking space
Working remotely doesn’t have to be a matter of isolation. If you are looking for something that has a structure to it, you can try working from coworking spaces. You will meet new people and exchange ideas over a small talk near a water cooler. Just like olden times!
Apart from providing an environment that is similar to an office set-up, coworking spaces also help you participate in group activities and exchange your thoughts and views.
4. Follow your hobbies and try new things
According to the adage, only work, and no play makes Jack a dull boy. So, get out and try something new or learn something new, such as a musical instrument, cooking, horse riding, or knitting! There are so many things to do out there and so many new people to meet.
You can also head out to the nearest bar or pub and enjoy a few drinks during the happy hours and have conversations and small talk with people. If you’re not the bar-going type, you can join a book club and connect with people over your love for books and literature. Having stimulating conversations over coffee is a great way of bonding.
It’s great to make friends when you work or with whom you work, but it’s also amazing to have friends who share your hobbies and interests.
5. Get active
To get out of that work-life rut and to enjoy the real life, get outdoors. Go to the nearest park and you will find many like-minded people who have come to enjoy the pleasant weather or meet new people, just like you.
Join a yoga or Pilates course and make new connections. If you’re into running, you can join a runners’ group. You don’t have to be a sports aficionado; you just need to get outside and get active!
Not only will it benefit your physical health, but also your mental health will be boosted when you share conversations with others.
6. Make efforts to meet coworkers in person if possible
Initiate coffee or cocktail meetups with colleagues who work in the same city as you. It is a great way to connect and bond over similar likes and dislikes.
If your company hosts retreats or other team-building events, make sure to attend them and meet your colleagues in person. Attending seminars and workshops organized by your firm is another way to keep in touch with colleagues.
If in-person meetups are not possible, you can have online coffee meetups and related events to boost your relationship with colleagues.
7. Plan play dates if you are a parent or a pet parent
If you have children or fur babies, plan a play date with your colleagues who are also parents or pet parents. This is a great way of connecting or bonding with them.
Attend children’s sports events or activities, so that you can meet other parents and you can break the ice as you might have many things in common.
8. Have a balance and remember not everyone wants to be friends
Keep your schedule and interests in mind before venturing out into the world to make new friends. Also, remember that not everyone is out there to socialize.
Some people prefer to work from home because they don’t want to be under the pressure of social connection. If you have tried initiating a conversation with someone and they have responded coldly to it, then give them some time or stick to work-related chatter with them.
Parting Thoughts
There are plentiful opportunities to connect with other people and make new friends. However, it is vital to understand your own needs, such as your interests, responsibilities at home, and values, before you engage in friend-making.
These methods might not give you lifelong friends, but you surely can make authentic connections and have a better work-life balance and it will help you when you feel burnt out due to work.
