The loneliness of working from home is catching up with me

3w ago1 min read

Been WFH for 2 years now and it's great for productivity but man, I'm feeling really isolated. I go days barely talking to anyone except my coworkers over video calls and my wife. I don't have close friends nearby anymore since the move and I'm starting to feel the effects. Getting depressed, not motivated, just sitting in my home office feeling disconnected. Thinking about joining a gym or something just to be around people. Has anyone found good ways to build community when you work from home?

6 comments212 views

Comments(6)

DDavid M.New Dad3w ago

Two years of WFH isolation would get to anyone. Have you tried getting out of the house even just for an hour during the day? Coffee shop, library, anywhere with people. Sometimes that helps break the monotony.

MMichael P.Regular3w ago

Two years is a long time to be isolated, man. I work from home too and I've noticed it sneaks up on you. Try to build in some regular in-person stuff even if it's just a coffee run or meeting a friend for lunch once a week - it makes a real difference.

OOscar D.Regular3w ago

That loneliness is no joke when you're working from home. With four boys I barely have quiet time, but I get what you're saying about the isolation piece. Maybe find a coworking space some days or get involved in something in your community to break up the monotony.

DDante J.New Dad3w ago

Working from home with three kids means I'm never actually alone, but I totally get the isolation feeling even when you're around people all day. Try scheduling actual social time outside of work - it's easy to let that slip when you're home all the time.

PPedroRegular3w ago

This hits different when you've got kids at home too. Like you're surrounded by people all day but still somehow completely alone. I started doing coworking spaces one day a week just for the human interaction. Game changer.

PPedroRegular3w ago

Have you looked into local dad groups in your area? Not trying to fix your problem for you but some of us do meetups and it helps with the isolation. At least you know other dads get the WFH struggle.