Working from home sounds awesome on the surface – no commute, more flexibility for yourself and your family, and total control over your work environment. What’s not to love?
I work from home almost full-time. My teams are distributed around the country, so it doesn’t really matter whether I’m in the home office or not. I’ve settled into a pretty good routine – shut the door, crank some music, and hunker down with no distractions.
But a few months ago, I started feeling a little disconnected and depressed. Every day seemed exactly like the day before. I’d forgotten how to play well with others.
There’s a lot of great info out there about the dangers of spending too much time in isolation. Anxiety, guilt, and “falling into a rut” are surprisingly common.
Are you in the same boat? Have your work-at-home days become boring, or even depressing? If so, here are a few things you can try to get some of your mojo back:
Schedule lunches and in-person meetings
Make lunch dates. Meet with your boss in person. Plan at least 1-2 days per week where you’re leaving the house to see someone face-to-face.
Find some good podcasts for the commute
Learn to love driving! Commutes are so much more enjoyable when you’ve got something fun to listen to. I love NPR’s “How I Built This” – interviews with some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs – and I’ve got a bunch of other recommendations for you too. Let me know!
Stir up some trouble outside of work
I’ve got several old friends who live in the area, and every 5-6 months or so we’d run into each other and say, “Man, we really should get together more often”. I decided to set up a Facebook group for us with the sole purpose of organizing poker games and other events. It’s made me feel more connected – and it turns out that they were all missing that connection too! Unfortunately it’s cost me a little bit of money, but only because they’re pretty good poker players. 🙂
The Moral of This Story
Working from home can be wonderful for your job (as long as you’re living up to your employer’s expectations and are available for your team). But keep a close eye on your mental health. Too much isolation can be a dangerous thing. If you’re starting to become a hermit, it’s time to take action!
More Info
Working From Home Might Take A Toll On Your Mental Health (Huffington Post)
How to Avoid Becoming a Hermit When You Work From Home (Kristin Wong at LifeHacker)
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