Many remote workers face isolation due to the nature of their work. Most freelancers struggle with a lack of communication with their loved ones and even face issues like loneliness. The solution is to find ways to stay social as a remote worker. Traditional employees do not have these issues because they are surrounded by colleagues who will always keep them engaged with one talk or another, work-related or personal. That’s why there’s a possibility of an office romance; you see, communication is key. 

As much as you can stay motivated as an African freelancer, as stated in this article, having a social life alongside your freelance work is a good way to be a healthy worker. Freelancers do not have a clue about not being social. It is simply that most of their socialisation takes place on the internet and not in meatspace. The situation is worse, though, when you consider that the likeliest generation to go remote, Generation Z, is the loneliest generation of all time. Everyone wants to have their space! 

Working from home where you’re comfortable can make you more productive, but reduce your chances of getting close to people and forming friendships in the real world. And this leaves room for loneliness to come in and settle deep before you realize anything’s amiss.

Tips to Stay Social as a Remote Worker 

There is a possibility to stay social as a remote worker, regardless of how tight and demanding your work is. Many freelancers work per hour and have to report at certain times, but there is still time for some social bonding. Human beings are social animals, and that means socialising is one thing that is common with us, only that the magnitude differs per person. 

Follow these tips to stay social as a remote worker: 

Step Out of The Home 

Just because you are a remote worker and work from home doesn’t mean that you have to always stay at home. Setting out a day or a few days of the week to work outside of your home will do you a lot of good and is a great way to stay social as a remote worker. Taking out time to have breakfast at a bistro or restaurant might bring you some handy relationships with other remote workers. 

Use Social and Communication Apps 

Many freelancers use communication apps like Slack for work chats with co-workers, but it could be more. Just the “check this”, “do this,” and “done” chats can’t help you build a good relationship with your co-workers. You could initiate casual conversations to help build relationships beyond the work environment. 

Using social media apps during your free time is also a great way to build a strong social life as a remote worker. You can share your work experience and build a strong online presence. You can never tell; you might even become an influencer as you document your life as a freelance remote worker on social media. Millions of other freelancers will easily relate to your life experiences. 

Have a Life Outside Work 

One of the best things about working remotely is being in charge of your time; you often don’t have a strict resumption and closing time at work. But that soon becomes one of its most stressful aspects if you do not plan your time. It is easy to find yourself working over the hours you need to, especially as there is no real clocking off time. To avoid burnout, set strict working hours that will not spill over into your social life. Have a schedule for your work and have time to chill and bond with friends. See a movie, attend a music concert, visit an art gallery, or picnic with friends and family. 

All work and no play, they say, makes Jake a……… 

Have an Everyday Reaching Out Goal 

Your people skills are like muscles; the more you use them, the stronger and more effective they will become. Don’t allow yourself to be isolated from regular, important human interaction behind a computer screen with many deadlines and workloads. 

Go out and have a genuine conversation with at least one new person per day. Talk with a member of your family. Chat with a friend from school. These brief conversations will extend your small talk muscles and remove the fear of approaching strangers.  

Register for a Fitness Class

Due to the flexible nature associated with remote work, it is easy to prioritise work on physical fitness two to three times a week. It is highly recommended that you enrol in something like martial arts or yoga. As a remote worker, you tend to spend most of your time alone. Therefore, it is wise to seek out activities where you will be able to interact with other humans. A gym, a painting class, a dance class, or even a cooking class. 

Give Coworking Spaces a Try

Getting a coworking space can be a fantastic transition from life in the office to life as a remote worker. Such spaces typically have desks, access to outlets, and room to network with other like-minded individuals who are also in the same situation with remote work.

This group camaraderie and support may help you adapt more seamlessly to working independently while building your social network.

In Conclusion 

The desire to stay social as a remote worker should be at the top of your to-do list because it will help you have a great experience working remotely. The music is good, and the lively workspace is nice, but the community of people will always top the list. Every human being needs a touch from another. Here’s why we have a community of other freelancers to provide you with the best kind of interaction.