Blocking out time in a planner and intentionally scheduling time for your friendships can help ensure you commit to seeing other people. Whether it is a virtual coffee date, a joint workout, or a catch up in your lunch hour, make a plan and stick to it. It can help you get to know your co-workers better and show you the brighter side of the workplace. My life is full of Zoom meetings, so when someone suggests a separate, non-obligatory Zoom hang, I almost always say no. Even if I like someone a lot, I just can’t hang out in that small rectangular box all day without feeling like I am becoming Siri or something.
However, you could pay attention to your team’s communication throughout the day and notice any exceptional work that also lightened your workload. Shout out your co-worker in a group chat and thank them for a swift save on an important project, or compliment them for always completing their work quickly or on time. They also may have shared something insightful that changed how you look at a topic.Find something you can point out and praise them for and how it positively impacted your life. A compliment might just brighten their day and encourage them to perform better at work.Genuine compliments can make someone feel good — they make you feel good, too. You might even build a friendship based on the kind words you offer one another.
Work-from-home jobs offer flexible schedules and a comfortable working environment. Yet, the lack of social interaction can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Our guide will give you essential tips on how to make friends when you work from home. 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.
Consider enrolling in a language class, dance class, sports team, or photography or literature club. Participating in group activities and engaging in conversations can help you enrich your personal and professional life. Moreover, joining online communities and forums can provide a sense of belonging and help you facilitate meaningful interactions and network opportunities. You can find people with similar interests and experiences and exchange ideas. What are your secrets to socializing and making friends when you work from home? Connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube to share your thoughts and tips.
Arrange virtual coffees or happy hours to connect with people. You can mentor students, participate in environmental clean-up efforts, organize virtual fundraisers and make connections based on shared goals and experiences. The camaraderie with fellow volunteers can blossom into lasting friendships. You can find industry-specific groups and even virtual coffee chats for remote workers online. There is also a growing number of communities that host virtual coworking sessions where you can find like-minded people and stay focused.
Social Circle
Here’s a no-frills guide to help you nurture meaningful connections from the comfort of your home office. Working remotely can feel lonely and sometimes awkward but chances are if you are working remotely and seeking friends, your colleagues probably feel the same. Reach out to your co-workers, and turn your remote work relationship into real-life friendships.
Doing an activity can break through initial awkwardness as everyone has something to focus on other than just keeping conversation going. You could hang back at the end of a meeting and chat, you could bring Starbucks into the office (who doesn’t love a free latte?) or connect over drinks at the open bar at a work event. If someone is in the kitchen getting a cup of coffee, take 30 seconds to chat with them. It’s just important to have a conversation, because small talk establishes a relationship between two people and makes our interactions feel less transactional. One really fun idea that one of my other remote coworkers came up with is video call happy hours. We don’t do them very often but I find them to be very helpful in creating connections.
Company
It might sound cheesy, but ultimately you have to put yourself out there. Remote working doesn’t have to mean being chained to your home office and staying indoors all day. Coworking spaces allow you to mix up the mundanity of remote working to get out of the house and meet new people. It also gives you a chance to create a healthy barrier between work life and home life.
The #1 Tip on How to Make Friends When You Work From Home: Try New Things
If you’re in the same area, you may even get the chance to meet up. According to Statista, 60% of the world’s population use social media and millions more come online each month. Try to build in time to have social chats before or at the close of a meeting.
- One study found that while people feel closer the more time they spend together, this wasn’t true at work.
- The more friends we repot, according to one study, the deeper the friendships.
- Look for opportunities to meet up in-person, or online, that give you a chance to develop the friendship.
- Up to 80% of jobs get filled through personal professional connections.
Schedule Virtual Coffee Breaks:
Still, there are specific strategies that you can employ to fight feelings of isolation, build a social circle, and enhance your working experience. Building connections when working remotely is absolutely possible! However, if you are one of many employees who feel lonely when working from home, you are not alone. Luckily, there are multiple ways to build genuine friendships when working, even when you only commute to the coffee machine. At Afni, we understand how vital it is to find a community that shares your passions.
How does one join some type of community or social gathering event and make a friend? Talk in a pleasant environment over a glass of protein shake making new friends when you work from home. Regular exercise will help you feel much better, stronger, and stronger.
Join a social slack channel—or create it.
- If people see you just as a colleague, then it’s harder to make the jump into a friendship.
- Just change a few of your habits and force yourself out the door.
- So, don’t hesitate to step out of your comfort zone, initiate conversations, and participate in activities that resonate with you.
- You should offer genuine compliments to people whenever you can.
Some people love sharing the things they wish they’d known when they were in your shoes. We emphasize remote-friendly practices and are committed to employee well-being. We provide access to remote positions in various industries and multiple cities, giving our clients suitable options. We are a leading choice for individuals seeking both professional growth and a sense of belonging in the virtual workspace. Volunteering is a noble endeavor and a fantastic way to connect with others and make a positive impact on your community. You can volunteer in community organizations and nonprofits and meet people who share your values and interests.
More companies are establishing employee resource groups that bring together like-minded people. For instance, your company might have an ERG for parents, veterans or employees who identify as LGBTQ+. Keswin suggests finding a group that resonates with you and going to a meeting, even if it’s virtual. You might make a connection with someone at the meeting and find out they are in the office the same days as you, and then you can grab coffee or lunch with them.
I want to make connections with how to make friends when you work from home people,’ trust really is the foundation… of relationships,” Keswin says. Many companies also have Slack channels that are geared towards employees’ hobbies and interests, such as hiking, biking or pets. Be active on the channels that interest you, and look for opportunities to make natural connections with your coworkers. “Find the sweet spot between technology and connection,” Keswin says. Lots of companies have social channels, alumni channels, and community channels on Slack or Microsoft Teams. Join them and don’t be afraid to contribute to or spark a conversation.
Find the Best Remote Position With Afni
Most towns and cities have some sort of interest groups that might pique your interest. No, you’re probably not actually insane, but this definition applies to an assumably large amount of lonely remote workers. If what you’re doing hasn’t yielded a new friend, acquaintance, cohort, partner in crime, or crony, you need to try something new. So learn to cook, play an instrument, or try the downward-facing dog at yoga in the park.