Working for Yourself Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely

Whether you’re a freelancer or an entrepreneur, working for yourself can be amazing. You get to do what you love, grow your own business, and set your own hours. But it can also be lonely! Gone are the days of chatting around the water cooler and office happy hours.

If you’re looking for some ways to connect with like-minded people and build a community, here’s what you can do:

Takeaways
Working for yourself doesn’t mean working alone.
Loneliness can be a common experience for self-employed individuals.
Building a support system is essential for overcoming loneliness.
Engaging in social activities outside of work can help combat isolation.
Online communities and coworking spaces provide opportunities for connection.
Setting boundaries and practicing work-life balance is important.
Seeking feedback and collaboration can alleviate the lack of interaction.
Online platforms and communities exist to support self-employed individuals.
Remember that you have the power to shape your work experience and seek companionship.
Take proactive steps to maintain your mental well-being and find fulfillment.

1. Make Time To Call Your Family And Friends

It might seem obvious, but we’ve found that making a point to call your family and friends every day will be a big help in keeping your spirits up and feeling connected even when you’re far away from everyone physically. If there’s someone you really love talking to, schedule an hour on your calendar every day or two to have a video chat with them—or even just send them a message on Facebook Messenger or some other platform—so you can stay in touch.

Building a support system after experiencing grief and loss can be difficult, but finding strength in community can make a big difference. Check out our guide on Freelance Work: Changing the Nature of Work to learn more about how freelancing is reshaping the nature of employment.

2. Join A Co-Working Space

A co-working space can be an amazing way to get out of the house and connect with other people who are working on their own businesses or projects. There are lots of coworking spaces popping up in cities around the world that offer a shared workspace and meeting rooms so entrepreneurs have a place to work that feels both professional and social.

3. Get A Dog

There are endless reasons to get a puppy. One of those reasons is that they will cuddle with you and lick your face when you’re down. This will make you feel less alone, and that’s the point. Plus, who doesn’t love dog pictures? You can give yourself little breaks by posting cute pics on social media while still getting work done. It’s the best of both worlds!

4. Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and get involved in a cause that’s important to you. Try searching for events in your area on Meetup, or check out sites like VolunteerMatch for more opportunities.

Generational differences in freelancing reveal unique perspectives and challenges. Discover how freelancing has evolved from boomers to millennials in our article on Freelancing Through the Generations: From Boomers to Millennials.

5. Host A Dinner Party

Gather your friends together and invite them all to bring someone (or several people) you don’t know. Put together a simple menu and let the guests mingle over food and drinks. You’ll probably make some new friends—and maybe even find yourself with a few future dinner party regulars!

6. Go Out For Coffee With Colleagues

Coffee shops are great places to meet other freelancers and just talk about whatever comes up. At Starbucks, for example, executives often frequent the same tables; consider starting your own table and joining them!

7. Have Lunch At Least Once A Week With Other Freelancers

Doing this will help you build relationships and make sure that you’re both getting work done on time so that you don’t need to worry about getting paid too early. And if someone needs help, they’ll be there for you—just like a co-worker would be.

8. Meet Up With Other Freelancers At Cafes Or Libraries

We all have to eat lunch, why not spend that hour chatting with someone who understands your struggles? Working from cafes or libraries gives you the chance to chat with other freelancers who might be dealing with similar issues in their own career paths. Just make sure that your location of choice is pretty good.

9. Join A Small Business Association

As a freelancer, you’re essentially running your own business. That means you can join business associations that other small businesses join! Look around your hometown for small business associations and attend meetings.

You’ll have the chance to network with other local businesses, which could lead to future collaborations or contracts.

Attending meetings will also give you the chance to see familiar faces regularly, even if they’re not necessarily friends yet. If there aren’t any small business associations in your area, look into joining an association for a hobby or interest group that has nothing to do with business.

It’ll do you good to get out of the house and network with other people who share similar interests!

The future of work is rapidly changing, and freelancing is leading the way. Explore the trends and opportunities in our comprehensive guide, The Future of Work Is Here, and Freelancing Leads the Pack.

10. Take An Evening Class At A Community College

Classes are another way for you to meet people who share similar interests. If you can afford it, consider taking an evening class at a community college on something related to your field (or totally unrelated!). This way, not only can you make new friends

11. Attend Industry Conferences

If you’re accustomed to working with a team of people who share your professional passions, nothing can replace the camaraderie and connections you might lose when you transition to freelancing.

To make up for that, look into attending industry conferences. They’ll give you plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, but they also give you a chance to connect with other professionals in your field.

12. Take Advantage Of Online Communities

Most industries have online communities where professionals can ask questions, share tips, and resources, and just connect with people who are going through similar experiences. Some of these communities are affiliated with industry publications or organizations; others are just general groups on social media or other platforms.

Ask Other Freelancers To Go Launch Or Coffee Sample Emails

Sample 1

Hi [name],

I hope this week is going well for you. I had an idea and wanted to run it by you. I know [company name] has a lot of freelancers in the network, and I thought it would be really cool to get together with other freelancers in the area for lunch or coffee.

Then we could talk about our experience as freelance writers, share tips, and just socialize!

What do you think? Would you be interested in trying to set up something like that?

Sample 2

Hi [Name],

My name is [your name] and I’m a freelancer. I’m writing to ask if you’d be interested in grabbing coffee sometime to talk about our experiences and projects as freelancers. It would be great to get your perspective as someone who has been freelancing for [X amount of time].

Let me know if you’re interested!

Sample 3

Hi [name],

I’m [name], and I’m a freelance copywriter in the area. I’d love to meet for coffee or lunch and pick your brain about freelancing.

Let me know what’s good for you, and thanks so much!

[your name]

Sample 4

Dear [name],

I am a freelance writer in the [city] area and I know you are too. I’ve seen your work and it’s really solid. I’d love to get together for coffee sometime and talk about the industry, and what we’re each working on. Would you be up for that?

Best,

[your name]

Freelancing may come with its challenges, but the rewards can be worth the effort. Learn more about the journey of freelancers and the fulfillment it can bring in our article, Freelancing Is Hard, But It Will Be Worth It.

How To Set Up A Home Working Space

Setting up a home working space can be tricky! You want to make sure you’ve got everything you need to do your best work, and also that you’ve created a space where you can feel comfortable and relaxed.

Here are some tips for setting up your home office or workspace:

1. Clear The Area You’re Going To Use And Get Rid Of Any Clutter

This is not only important for your productivity and general mental health, it’s also important for your physical health: whether it’s books or papers sitting on the floor (or in precarious piles) or errant cords that could trip you up, getting rid of these things will help ensure you don’t hurt yourself while working from home.

2. Get A Plant Or Two And Place Them Near Your Workspace

If you tend to be forgetful with watering plants (as I am!), get succulents—they don’t need much water at all. Having plants in your office/workspace will add oxygen to the room and help purify the air. And they just look nice!

3. Invest In A Comfortable Chair That Supports Your Back.

invest in a comfortable chair that supports your back. You’re going to be sitting here for hours at a time while you work, so make sure it’s comfortable! I personally love my Aeron chair by Herman Miller.

4. Choose A Location Away From Noise And Distractions Like The Tv Or Laundry Room.

Do you like peace and quiet, or are you easily distracted by silence? Once you’ve determined your preference, choose a space that will best suit it, whether that’s a desk tucked away in the corner of your bedroom or a table positioned near the hustle and bustle of the kitchen.

5. Make Sure There Is Enough Light

When it comes to lighting, make sure you can see whatever is on your computer screen clearly. Sometimes the glare makes it difficult for us to concentrate. In that case, add another light source or reduce the brightness of your screen.

Freelance life has its surprises and realities that go beyond the popular perception. Discover 13 surprising reasons why freelance life may not be as ideal as you think in our insightful article, 13 Surprising Reasons Freelance Life Is Not as Great as You Think.

How To Limit Work At Home Distractions

It’s okay to take a break from work and have fun. But sometimes, you just need to get stuff done.

Here are some suggestions for limiting distractions that can keep you from performing at your best:

• Set up a workspace that is as distraction-free as possible. If you normally have a dog, try to have someone else take it for the day—it will help you not feel guilty about not paying attention to it.
• Try not to look at your phone unless you absolutely need to. Put it in another room or even turn it off if that helps.
•  Don’t check email more than once an hour, if possible.
• If you’re having trouble focusing, try listening to soft music that has no words. Or, if music with words is more inspiring, try something like classical or instrumental rock (like Explosions in the Sky).
• Give yourself breaks! It can be helpful to set a timer and take a break every half hour or so. Just make sure that these breaks aren’t too long—10 minutes or so is usually good.

Wrapping Up

Working for yourself is a bit of a challenge, no doubt about it. There are long hours, sometimes strained relationships with clients and many things that a team would do to make life easier. But if you’re willing to work hard, it can be worth all the effort in the end. Creating a one-person business isn’t easy, but those who do reap the benefits of flexibility and ownership.

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources that explore the topic of working for yourself and overcoming loneliness:

Working for Yourself Doesn’t Mean Working Alone: Entrepreneur.com discusses how to navigate the challenges of working independently while building a supportive network.

Working for Yourself Can Be Lonely, But Here Are 5 Things You Can Do About It: This article on Medium provides practical tips and strategies for combating loneliness when working for yourself.

How to Be Alone Without Being Lonely: Harvard Business Review explores the concept of being alone without experiencing loneliness and offers insights on finding fulfillment and connection.

People Also Ask

Do I Have To Be Alone All The Time If I Work For Myself?

No, working for yourself doesn’t have to feel lonely! There are lots of ways to stay connected with other people who are doing what you’re doing. One of the best is to join an online community, like Freelancer.

We’re dedicated to helping you connect with other people who work for themselves. You can ask questions, get advice, and find out about cool new things that can help you do your job better.

What Are The Perks Of Working For Myself?

You’ll have more control over your time and what you do.

Why Would I Want To Work For Myself?

Working for yourself can be a great way to make a living, especially if you like the idea of being your own boss, not having to answer to others, and focusing on your own interests and goals.

How Do I Know If Working For Myself Is Right For Me?

If you think you would enjoy being in charge of your own time, making decisions about what you work on, and having fewer other people around, then it’s certainly worth exploring.

What’s The Biggest Downside To Working For Myself?

Working alone can be lonely. Make sure you’re connecting with other people in person and online often so that you don’t feel isolated or bored!

What Are Some Tips For Keeping Yourself From Getting Lonely?

One great way to keep from feeling lonely is to work from a coworking space instead of just at home.

Coworking spaces are filled with other people who are also working for themselves, so they can be a great way to connect with people and make sure that you’re not working in isolation.

What Kinds Of Events Should I Attend?

Attending different kinds of events will help you get out of the house, meet new people, and learn new things that could help your business succeed.

Make sure that you don’t just go to events where people will be focusing on selling themselves or their product—those won’t really help you make friends or grow your network. Instead, look for events where the focus is more on learning something new.

Do I Have To Be Alone?

Nope—not at all. You can work in a coworking space, or you can bring on team members!

What If I Want To Work From Home But Don’t Have A Family?

Then you can still take advantage of the flexibility that comes with working for yourself! There are so many benefits, and we’re here to help you explore them.

Do I Have To Work From Home?

Nope! You can work from anywhere. We’ve seen people working in cars, coffee shops, and even in the middle of a field. If you have an internet connection, you’re set.

How Do I Make Sure My Ideas Are Still Good?

One of the great things about working for yourself is that you don’t have to convince anyone else that your ideas are good. As long as they’re good to YOU, that’s all that matters!

I’m Worried About Working From Home, By Myself. How Can I Avoid Feeling Lonely?

Working from home can definitely be isolating, but it doesn’t have to be! Try scheduling regular coffee dates with other freelancers or small business owners. You can even start your own group if you don’t find one that fits your needs!