Are home offices lonely?
>> 10.15.2008
I found this image this on Flickr creative commons this evening. For the first time since I started telecommuting about six months ago, I stopped to ask myself, am I lonely in my home office/extra bedroom?
One of my apprehensions about working from home was the isolation. I can be quite chatty and at all my cement and vinyl siding positions (I'm trying to watch cliche usage, so this is my take on brick and mortar), I always had lunch, gossip, and vent buddies.
I've surprised myself with my reaction to working from home. Sure, I wonder if my verbal communications skills are deteriorating, and find myself not leaving the house for a day or two, but I've found some good ways to cope. I...
- Started this blog. In my searches, I didn't find any gathering spots for telecommuters in my age bracket, hence the name. But, since then have found I enjoy mingling with home workers from different age brackets, backgrounds, planets, you name it.
- Found a friend to join the work at home world. My friend Nicky has seen me through all my traditional work place positions, from visiting me while I waited tables at Dennys in college to listening to me vent about my newspaper reporter gig. Recently, he's started working from home part time, and we chat on the phone while we do mundane duties.
- Frequent several forums filled with other telecommuters.
- Phone and e-mail my friends much more, meaning I get to chose who I socialize with rather than being stuck with co-workers.
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18 comments:
Hey there,
I started working from home (translation service) a couple of years ago...To combat the 'loneliness' I've begun tutoring. This way I get to actually talk and meet nice people, too!
Duni, that is a good one for people with positions that currently have no contact, pick up an extra gig and get extra money.
Losing contact with co-workers/friends has been the hardest for me. It's important to make the effort to keep in touch-I haven't been doing the best job at that.
Making Sense- I know what you mean. I can think of a small group I wish I would have made that effort with. A few I did, but without having work in common, we seemed to have less in common and drifted.
Yep, that verbal skill deterioration concerns me too but I am not particularly worried since I have my choice of ten to twenty telemarketers to talk to each day! I would recommend that anyone working from home invest in Caller ID. That also gives you time to turn down the TV when your significant other calls to see how busy you are.
Working at home hasn't been bad. My roommate is awesome i frequent forums that's good for socializing and for my job and I have always had a tight knit group of friends who I have always loved. It'snot that bad and I have the ability to choose who i socialize with, i'm never "Forced" to socialize with coworkers.
Dan, Yeah, my do not call list request seems to have worked. I haven't had the telemarketer nuisance. Just family members who don't get that when I'm working from home, I am indeed working!
Toughgirl- Having roomies helps! I do too, and think it would be much different if I lived by myself.
I frequent the forums, and have met some great friends, and I also have kids running around all the time...LOL!
Oh and tag your it. Come on Over!
The Geek's Girl
I know exactly what you mean. I think not being around friends and co-workers has been the hardest transition for me in working out of the home. I try to chat as often as I can and have met several good friends blogging.
Kimmis Krazy World
Flipping Adventures
Kims Kountry Kitchen
Postcard from Somewhere
Busy Bee Village
Talk Time with Kim
I also meant to ask you....I had a post about doing a wedding blog and you mentioned you had a blog called Three Times a Bridesmaid...send me the link to it? I don't know why I can't find it under your profile. I was going to check it out.
Kimmis Krazy World
Flipping Adventures
Kims Kountry Kitchen
Postcard from Somewhere
Busy Bee Village
Talk Time with Kim
Tag you are it! Come to my blog to see : )
www.jollymom.blogspot.com
Hi Kristine! I found your blog over at Turnip's comments on his most recent "What's wrong with Entrecard post."
I'm way past your age bracket, but I can relate. Although as an entrepreneur I have the advantage to be able to set my schedule and have only myself to answer to. And I get out to network with other people so I can maintain the face-to-face contact.
Don't worry about your verbal skills ... they don't go away. And relating to folks on-line requires (or at least, should require) the honing of your written skills. Good writing is becoming a lost "art" but you're doing just fine!
Best wishes!
Thanks for stopping by designing.
I think finding an excuse to network off line is a great idea.
Maybe also by finding away to search for other telecommuters in your area.
Working at home is only as lonely as you let it get.
Great ideas to break the loneliness factor.
Confessions of a Baltimore Housewife
I work at home found that I was talking to the cat way too much. I just took a new client that will have me traveling a bit, which I can't wait to do!
Vicki
www.differentworld.us
www.ifeellikeawoman.us
www.freebieflow.com
www.sweetspiritband.com
I don't get lonely. I enjoy all my online contacts and I don't have to feel guilty chatting with them because I'm on someone elses time!
Shrinking Pamelalala
I Don't Commute
Paradise Fiber Studio
I can't be lonely...my kids are always around! I guess I have a somewhat unconventional work-at-home environment because my computer is in our living room, and I do most of my work in the evening when the whole family is home. I prefer the times when they're in bed or gone because I can think easier, but it never lasts long enough for me to get lonely.
Wanted to thank all who commented. From the amount of commentators, we all battle the loneliness battle. Thanks also for the great tips for others.
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