I am not one to candy coat things. I believe in authenticity and honesty. I believe that you get more by being direct than circling around what you really want to say. Life is too short for us not to just come right out and say what needs to be said, right?
Now that I’ve put that out there, I’m going to share a secret that not every work from home professional will admit.
Working from home can be lonely. The kind of loneliness that can kill my focus, motivation, and drive even when there is so much work to be done. At times, it’s absolutely debilitating.
Most of us, including myself, didn’t start out working from home. Chances are that you, like me, worked in an environment full of people. Whether it was on your feet serving customers in a retail store, running from table to table at a restaurant, or sitting in a far-too-small cubicle in an office, we spent part of our lives working for someone else in a place that wasn’t our home.
For me, there is a huge difference in working from home as a solopreneur than working as part of a larger team in a shared space.
During those times I was oddly comforted by the sounds of others, especially when I entered corporate office working environments. The talking, whirring of copy machines, opening and closing of doors, tapping of keyboard keys, and the steps of my co-workers served as my background music.
I miss it.
Personally, this last week has been harder than most. Though I have a lot on my plate and desperately want to crank through it all, just sitting down at my desk puts me into this awful loneliness state.
Seriously… yuck. I hate this feeling.
I know I am not alone. YOU are not alone. I have spoken with so many of you who have shared these same exact feelings with me. Maybe we should start a support group (kidding, but not kidding).
Here’s the thing. We can sit here in our misery and feel sorry for ourselves. Believe me, it’s a choice, and I’ve sadly made it once or twice. Did it make me feel better to do that? No. Though I absolutely gave myself grace, I also realized that sitting in those feelings just made it worse for me. When I am that low, I know I need to dig deep to figure out a solution that helps me move on.
If I can do it, you can do it. We are powerfully creative and resilient beings. We are more than capable of turning those lonely feelings around. Not only are there ways to shake out the negativity, we can also pivot out of our sad and slow working time into one that is upbeat, positive, and productive.
I don’t know about you, but saying it out-loud already makes me feel better.
Here are five of my favorites ways to get back into the game.
1. Get the music pumping.
Turn on any music that will get you out of the funk. I am a fan of so many different genres. It really depends on my mood and what I need in that moment. Something energetic like 80’s hits, 90’s hair bands, and classic hip hop pulls me right back into the now. Once I’m there, I use my good friend Alexa to help me adjust my tunes and volume accordingly so that I can continue pushing through with positive momentum.
2. Get out of your office.
I’m serious. Get out of your office! In fact, get out of your house. Sometimes loneliness is purely a symptom of being cooped up inside by yourself for too long. Go for a run or take your furry office mate out for a short walk. Better yet, plan ahead and schedule a hike or bike ride with a friend. Getting away from your desk will do wonders to re-energize your brain, clear your head, and make your body feel happy.
3. Call a friend.
This is one of my favorites. Many of my friends are solopreneurs, too. They totally get what I am experiencing day in and day out. The best part – they are usually just as eager as I am to talk to another human. I love a good walk and talk (a powerful combo of #2 and #3!). In times when I need to see someone’s face, but don’t have time for a meet-up, Zoom works in a pinch.
4. Organize and clean up.
One of my superpowers is organization. I can organize the hell out of pretty much anything. The best part? It makes me feel SO good! There is something about taking a messy space and turning it into a beautiful functioning one. It doesn’t just have to be a space, either. Some of my happiest, most creative moments have been when I grab my bullet journal and organize my week. Knowing what is coming up and what I want to accomplish is so helpful in setting me up for a successful work session.
5. Meditate.
Last, but certainly not least, is the power of meditation. When I practice, I experience clarity in the most powerful ways. It’s down right magical. In a matter of five minutes of meditation, I can go from feeling my lowest to feeling calm and ready to work. Like I have a purpose. Like I am no longer lonely. I have practiced meditation successfully in different ways. From sitting cross-legged while listening to guided meditations to lying on my back in the absolute quiet. Meditating each day is a goal of mine for this year. I highly recommend you make it one of yours, too.
