VirtualVocations

One of the things I looked forward to most about working at home was escaping the office bickering, backstabbing, and gossip. Although I was thrilled to leave the office environment, I soon found myself missing adult conversation, lunches out, and that sense of sharing that comes from working together on a project.  Yes, my family was nearby through most of my work day, but they weren’t part of my projects, and there wasn’t that sense of belonging to something bigger than myself.   

Fortunately, I discovered there are many ways to reach out to others when working at home, as well as ways to make an at-home worker feel less isolated throughout the work day. 

One of the easiest ways to connect with others is to find online forums for people in your profession.  Although it can take a bit of searching to find a forum that feels like home, once you’ve made a few posts and gotten some replies, that familiar sense of belonging will set in.  As you visit the forums, you’ll get to know the other members, they’ll get to know you, and you’ll feel free to ask questions, share conversation, and spur each other on when you need a boost.       

Another way to get a sense of belonging is to join professional and community groups in your area.  This includes everything from attending monthly networking meetings, participating in a weekly Bible study, or volunteering at the community clothes closet.  Keep trying on different activities until you find the fit that’s right for you.   

You can’t spend all your time on forums or leave the house to go to meetings every day, so it’s important to devise an in-home plan to keep isolation at bay.  Some things that have worked for me are having my kitties with me when I’m working, playing music, or having a television on in another room for background noise.  Quiet is a good thing, but sometimes a person can have too much of a good thing. 

Fortunately, working at home doesn’t have to mean feeling like you’re stranded on a desert island.  Be proactive in reaching out, and you’ll find yourself enjoying quality relationships on your own terms.