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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. If each person’s reply is days apart, it’s slower and difficult to build rapport and a deeper relationship. Send a chat message or email to someone you’re interested in getting to know better, and see if they’re open to grabbing a virtual coffee or having a video call.
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Whatever lights your fire after you close the laptop is the perfect gateway to a new friendship. Maybe your local soup kitchen has a rooftop garden that is always looking for a few spare hands. Apps are also trying to help us make new friends from our living room. Vina, and Bumble BFF are just a few that offer you a way to quickly peek into the interests of thousands of women (and a few, men too!) for purely platonic relationships. As infections dropped, people had somehow forgotten how to return to their normal lives. So now is the time to shed your COVID-induced anti-social behavior.
One study, for example, found that people who had more social interactions over the course of four weeks had greater well-being. Another showed that having just one quality conversation with a friend each day can improve mental health. While grabbing coffee or sharing a laugh with a colleague can boost morale, excessive socializing might impact productivity. Setting time limits for social interactions helps maintain a balance between personal connection and professional responsibility. Work friendships are some of the most unique and valuable relationships we form. They offer support, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging in environments that can sometimes feel stressful or competitive.
- By making an effort to reach out and start conversations, you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by new friends – both at work and in your personal life.
- The other feature of those creative collisions that really matters is informal interaction is good for creativity.
- According to the mere exposure effect, we unconsciously like those we are more exposed to.
- You can find industry-specific groups and even virtual coffee chats for remote workers online.
- According to an AARP survey conducted in May, 36 percent of remote workers 50 and older said being isolated from coworkers is difficult.
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Okay, but what if you’re rejected by your co-worker and now you have to spend all day on Slack with them wondering why they don’t like you? Truly, jumping back into a social life after so many months of lockdown can be jarring, and everyone’s taking it at their own pace. Now, if you feel comfortable introducing yourself to, let’s say, one person a day, then set a stretch goal and introduce yourself to five. And do this for a week or three weeks and watch how quickly you grow. Moreover, joining online communities and forums can provide a sense of belonging and help you facilitate meaningful interactions and network opportunities.
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More than ever, people are realizing the possibilities of working from home. You might be surprised to find that there are people in your area who also work from home. Social media sites like Meetup can be a useful tool in helping you find freelancers in your community. It might be fun to organize a get-together with like-minded people to network, share ideas, get feedback, or just enjoy each other’s company.
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These are many of the same tenets that are essential for in-person friendships, too. Try telling an existing friend that you’re “looking to expand your social circle” and ask them who they think you should grab coffee with. Planting the seed that you’re someone who likes to connect will keep you top of mind to be included as your friends add new relationships of their own. Although children are a handful and can take up a ton of your time, they’re a great way for you to meet other parents. Whether you’re going to a scheduled mass play date or attending your kid’s sporting events, you can chat with other parents.
Put all of your assumptions and preconceived notions aside, otherwise, you’ll be sabotaging yourself and not giving yourself or the other person a fair chance of developing a potential friendship. You should approach friendship by being open to meeting new people and sharing new experiences. Reconsider how you network.Networking doesn’t have to be uncomfortable, awkward, scary, or even planned; in fact, you can network just about anywhere. To do this, I challenge myself to chat with at least two people each day when I work from a crowded coffee shop; so far, I’ve made friends with a yoga teacher, fellow writer, and design consultant.
Co-working spaces are really coming into their own, with some even taking it a step further and becoming social clubs. For example, The Wing in New York City and Washington, D.C. Is a co-working space and community just for women that also hosts events like film screenings and conversations with local politicians. The more friends we repot, according to one study, the deeper the friendships. Instead, go to the museum or happy hour or have your co-worker over for dinner. Still, feeling connected at work is necessary for our fulfillment in our jobs and lives.
Some research indicates that loneliness might be as much of health risk as smoking. A step-by-step online training course that shows you how to write copy that’s powerful, persuasive, and 100% YOU, so people will love – and buy how to make friends when you work from home – what you sell. Howe says it’s important to be a little more mindful in communication, as corresponding via messaging platforms or email may not convey tone or intent.
Even if you don’t make lifelong friends, you’re at least giving yourself the chance to be active and happy through work-life balance. Just because there’s no seltzer dispenser to gossip around, no cafeteria to gather in, or no office to go to, doesn’t mean you can’t make friends with your colleagues. There are lots of things you can do to get to know them whether they’re a county, a country, or an ocean away. Working remotely doesn’t have to be a solitary endeavor, especially now that more people are doing it and getting comfortable connecting with one another online using a variety of tools and apps.
- Now, if you feel comfortable introducing yourself to, let’s say, one person a day, then set a stretch goal and introduce yourself to five.
- Connection doesn’t just happen over coffee or lunch, Kantor says.
- Those are three steps to help you get out there and start meeting more people.
- Meetup is great if you just want to get out and meet people that are interested in the same things you are.
These methods might not give you lifelong friends, but you surely can make authentic connections and have a better work-life balance and it will help you when you feel burnt out due to work. If your company hosts retreats or other team-building events, make sure to attend them and meet your colleagues in person. Attending seminars and workshops organized by your firm is another way to keep in touch with colleagues. To get out of that work-life rut and to enjoy the real life, get outdoors.
Contact us to learn about our training programs for remote supervisors and employees. When you figure out their communication preferences, you’ll know the best way to respond. If you know anyone who struggles with loneliness or social isolation, share this post.
Learn 8 actionable tips to set boundaries at work and foster positive work friendships in the workplace.
If you have tried initiating a conversation with someone and they have responded coldly to it, then give them some time or stick to work-related chatter with them. Making the choice to be social is especially difficult at the end of an exhausting day when your impulse may be to veg out on the couch. This is why having plans on the docket — and sticking to them — is so crucial.