I like working from home but grew to feel very isolated.

It helped to move to a major city and then plan fun things to do in the evenings to look forward to and then also join a professional association in which I connect online with others in my industry and at conferences.

I'm much lonelier now that I'm back in the office. My group is small, and my work is solitary, so I don't get much social interaction regardless of where I do the work. But WFH allowed me more time to pursue activities after work. Now, I waste two hours commuting every day and usually don't have the time and energy to do social activities when I get home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone." -Blaise Pascal.

Soooooo true.

Not helpful. OP is obviously capable of spending time alone. Everyone needs at least a little face-to-face interaction.

Face-to-face interaction acts like a 'vitamin' for depression, study suggests

https://www.today.com/health/face-face-interaction-may-be-vitamin-depression-study-suggests-t48101

Sure but why would that need to come from work? Not commuting gives people more time and energy for family, community, hobbies, church, volunteering. Those things will be there for you even if you move jobs or get laid off.

If your only social outlet is work, that should be a big concern and something to fix.

It obviously shouldn't just come from work, but it's obvious that much of it will, if you work full time. Do your hobbies take up that much time? Is your family all local and available? And how easy is it to schedule coffee with friends, who may also work and have to plan around kid activities, appontments etc? You don't have to plan to see people at work if you got to the office, because they're just there. There's a lot to be said for something that's just a normal default.

I guess it depends. It's busy at work and I definitely need to schedule a coffee date with coworkers if I want to see them socially.
I would say that 90% of my social interaction is non-work.

I’m sorry you’re going through this OP. I only wish I could work from! I guess it’s all about finding balance. PPs have some great suggestions!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone." -Blaise Pascal.

Soooooo true.

Not helpful. OP is obviously capable of spending time alone. Everyone needs at least a little face-to-face interaction.

Face-to-face interaction acts like a 'vitamin' for depression, study suggests

https://www.today.com/health/face-face-interaction-may-be-vitamin-depression-study-suggests-t48101

Sure but why would that need to come from work? Not commuting gives people more time and energy for family, community, hobbies, church, volunteering. Those things will be there for you even if you move jobs or get laid off.

If your only social outlet is work, that should be a big concern and something to fix.

It obviously shouldn't just come from work, but it's obvious that much of it will, if you work full time. Do your hobbies take up that much time? Is your family all local and available? And how easy is it to schedule coffee with friends, who may also work and have to plan around kid activities, appontments etc? You don't have to plan to see people at work if you got to the office, because they're just there. There's a lot to be said for something that's just a normal default.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone." -Blaise Pascal.

Soooooo true.

Not helpful. OP is obviously capable of spending time alone. Everyone needs at least a little face-to-face interaction.

Face-to-face interaction acts like a 'vitamin' for depression, study suggests

https://www.today.com/health/face-face-interaction-may-be-vitamin-depression-study-suggests-t48101

Sure but why would that need to come from work? Not commuting gives people more time and energy for family, community, hobbies, church, volunteering. Those things will be there for you even if you move jobs or get laid off.

If your only social outlet is work, that should be a big concern and something to fix.

Sure, and presumably it is a concern of OP’s because they started this thread—which doesn’t change the inaptness of PP’s selected Pascal quote/post, suggesting OP can’t manage to spend time alone.

Do you have any neighbors on your block who are also working from home? maybe you could have a daily walk with them at a set time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone." -Blaise Pascal.

Soooooo true.

Not helpful. OP is obviously capable of spending time alone. Everyone needs at least a little face-to-face interaction.

Face-to-face interaction acts like a 'vitamin' for depression, study suggests

https://www.today.com/health/face-face-interaction-may-be-vitamin-depression-study-suggests-t48101

Sure but why would that need to come from work? Not commuting gives people more time and energy for family, community, hobbies, church, volunteering. Those things will be there for you even if you move jobs or get laid off.

If your only social outlet is work, that should be a big concern and something to fix.

I mean, so many people say, I love working alone, what's wrong with you that you can't be alone blah blah, but the reality is that humans have rarely been as lonely and unhappy as polling suggests Americans are right now.

Anonymous wrote:"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone." -Blaise Pascal.

Soooooo true.

Not helpful. OP is obviously capable of spending time alone. Everyone needs at least a little face-to-face interaction.

Face-to-face interaction acts like a 'vitamin' for depression, study suggests

https://www.today.com/health/face-face-interaction-may-be-vitamin-depression-study-suggests-t48101

Is there anyone else who is virtual who seems remotely your age or has any interests? We are hybrid but I rarely see a few of my favorite people who work different in office days. People have been discussing starting a couple virtual clubs (gardening club, book club etc). I also have a regular 1x per month catch up with a person from work that I have never actually met in real life but like a lot. Little things are nice. But I agree with the comments to lean into your home life and try and make a few mom friends and think of your job as making that possible. If I had as much flexibility I would join a couple PT and SAHM friends I really like who have a weekly walk that I can rarely join but wish I could.

I think you should try to get out of the house and get around people on a consistent basis. Try an exercise class, a hobby class, walking in your neighborhood, or at the mall. Take a few hours and work out of a coffee shop or explore a co-working space. Not sure where you live but are there any museums around, my dd loved working from quiet spots at museums. Make some lunch dates with friends or with neighbors or moms of your kids. Since you have some free time during the day, volunteer somewhere for a few hours or go help out in your kid's classroom. Sorry you are lonely but I think you have to decide to not be lonely.

I like my coworkers, but I had way more time for them when I WFH. We would schedule a call to catch up or go over an idea. Or we would chat on Teams. After RTO, I get in early to get out early and don't socialize if I can help it.

OP, why can't you call a coworker instead of emailing?

I cannot relate one bit. I get so overstimulated and burnt out and waste so much time when im in the office. Working from home alone with my cat is bliss and so productive.

I got so lonely too! I feel like we're in the minority. The office things that happened in my 20s and 30s made my stomach hurt from laughing (not to mention it was easier to read the room at times - the good/bad.) I'm so glad I got to grow up at a time where I have both experiences. I would suggest - scheduling 15 minute virtual coffees with friends (video if it helps) or in person for longer if need or adding an in-person class of some kind to your schedule.