Well, easy for me to write, not necessarily easy to put into practice. Think, for example, how easy it would be to meet people if you spent a few hours a day working in your local café, library or park. Let’s say you heard a coworker Megan mention in the all-staff meeting that she was late because she was putting her kindergarten son on the school bus for the first time.
How to Make Friends When You Work From Home
But there are times on the road that I am fine working on my how to make friends when you work from home own. Being a storyteller with your funny travel experiences can help a lot to start a conversation. It might be hard to make that friendship switch when you’re both sitting in your cubicles in a stuffy, fluorescent-lit office.
The Power of Connection-Cultivating Meaningful Relationships in a Digital World
- “Those can be clues that there’s something going on that might not lend itself to a friendship, at least in that moment,” adds Dr Kirmayer.
- They can provide unbiased feedback, advice and guidance that a close friend at work couldn’t.
- If you are looking for friends while working from home, it may be ideal to find friends that live near you, however, don’t let this be a deal breaker for you.
- Still, feeling connected at work is necessary for our fulfillment in our jobs and lives.
- We talked for many hours and it was such a wonderful way for me to make a new friend and also learn more about her culture and country’s history.
- Embrace transparency, foster a sense of belonging, form connections – and have fun along the way.
- And you’re gonna wind up describing your work in the context of the human that’s in front of you.
We all love to poke fun at icebreaker activities, but they’re still around for a reason. CSCareerQuestions is a community for those who are in the process of entering or are already part of the computer science field. Our goal is to help navigate and share challenges of the industry and strategies to be successful .
Take advantage of industry opportunities
- On the bright side, you’re probably used to this as a remote worker!
- Don’t let it dissuade you, however, from tapping into the random chat every once and a while.
- Many companies have affiliate groups for people of color, women, or LGBTQ employees.
- It can be as simple as having a conversation where you’re both online at the same time for a period of time.
With a little planning and a positive attitude, you’ll be surrounded by a supportive network in no time, given that solid friendships can thrive even in the age of remote work. 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. Overall, we know that building those coworker relationships is really important to your wellbeing at work.
I hadn’t considered logistics, nor had I ever hosted a Thanksgiving dinner. My British coworker Peter jumped in and said he’d be happy to have us over at his place. Everyone was excited to join in, although, with no other Americans in the group, it would be the first Thanksgiving for all of them. It had been a month since I moved from New York to Singapore, and I felt happily settled in my new life. I was 27, just married, and thrilled to start the next chapter of my life on the other side of the planet.
Work-Life Balance: Keeping Up and Staying Sane
Every company (trust me, every company) has Slack channels for jokes, memes, snack alerts, or just sharing stories and gossip. It’ll feel awkward at first, but the more you do it, the more people will respond favorably to you and the more you’ll get a feel for what resonates with your colleagues and what doesn’t. Follow your coworkers on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok (if you feel safe doing so) and interact with them, gently, letting them know you appreciate their presence. Engage with them on a human level, not a coworker-trying-to-network level. You don’t need to be a sports fanatic to get some exercise and meet new people at sporting events. Again, it’s just the act of going that can lead to social interactions and help you learn how to make friends when you work from home.
It means you’ll need to put a bit more effort into staying in touch online and planning when to meet. On the bright side, you’re probably used to this as a remote worker! Frequency and consistency in communication are required, especially in the early days. It can be as simple as having a conversation where you’re both online at the same time for a period of time.
Here are some steps you can take to build workplace friendships and reap their considerable rewards. Experiences like Howe’s appear to be increasing among older workers. According to an AARP survey conducted in May, 36 percent of remote workers 50 and older said being isolated from coworkers is difficult. Among the respondents who switched jobs, 20 percent said they made the change because they missed interacting with people.
You can find these kinds of groups advertised in the community newspaper, maker studios, Facebook communities, and on apps like Meetup. If you are looking for friends while working from home, it may be ideal to find friends that live near you, however, don’t let this be a deal breaker for you. Proximity means it’s possible to plan spontaneous meetups more frequently than if your future friend lived across the other side of the country. Try to organise regular monthly catch-ups in person or over video chat.
Although this may feel slightly odd at first, getting in touch with the right people can absolutely be worth it. Apps and social media are usually the very antithesis of getting out into the world. But if you use these platforms with deliberate intent, they can provide unbeatable ways to meet new people. By attending these events, you’ll gradually become part of the local community and discover how easily a common interest can spark conversation.