When you work remotely, it’s sometimes hard to connect to your coworkers and others. One of the challenges of being a freelancer, or of working remotely, is finding that social interaction with others. It can be lonely to work alone.
As someone who works from home, I understand some of the challenges related to being alone all day — and then maybe not even having someone else to talk with at the end of the day. Here are ways to stay connected when you work remotely:
1. Occasionally Go Into the Office
It’s true that one of the big reasons that you want to be a remote worker is so that you don’t have to go into the office. However, if you want to connect with your coworkers and build a relationship, sometimes you need to go. Figure out how much face time you want in the office. Maybe you go in once a week, or you go in twice a month. Whatever it is, make it a point to occasionally go into the office. You’ll be happier to connect with your coworkers, and hopefully work better together as a team, even if you are a remote worker.
2. Find Other Places to Work
Sometimes that in-person connection isn’t about seeing your coworkers. In some cases, you just need to get out of your house to get things done. There’s nothing wrong with this when you are a remote worker. It can be healthy to head out and be in an area where there are other people. That human connection can be very important.
One of the best things you can do is find a coworking space where you can connect with others sometimes. This works especially well for entrepreneurs and freelancers. However, a remote worker can benefit, especially if the company is far away. If you work for an employer on the other side of the country, or the world, it’s not possible to go in a couple times a month. Using a coworking space can help you connect to other people and feel that sense of belonging.
3. Attend Networking Events
You can attend networking events to remain connected to others, including others in your field. Even if you’re an introvert, and you like being a remote worker so that you don’t have to deal with other people, networking can be valuable. Make it a point to attend local networking events so you can get to know people in your area. You can also attend conferences and other networking opportunities in your career field to make connections and possibly advance your career.
When possible, have meetups with others in your company. In some cases, you might be able to get together with other remote workers so that you can all meet in person and establish that connection.
Staying connected with others is an important part of the human experience. Even as a remote worker you want to be able to enjoy contact with others and remain in the loop.
