The freelancing industry has been growing steadily worldwide as more people opt to stay at home to work rather than commute to offices which can get stressful. Many see freelancing as a better way to earn because they can control how much work they can do and how much they charge.

But, while working at home does have its perks, sometimes it can cause people to become lonely because they don’t have other people to talk to about their feelings. Some may even say they feel isolated from the world because they have no “co-workers” to speak to.

Loneliness can lead many to become depressed and may cause them to develop suicidal tendencies if it is not remedied.

I must admit when I became a freelancer 5 years ago, it took me quite awhile to get used to it. For over 20 years in a corporate life, I used to receiving instructions, giving instructions, managing huge teams, meetings and meetings and meetings. This means I am always surrounded by people.

So when I became a freelancer, it gets too quiet. A lot of the decisions are made by me. No mentor to go to. No colleagues to sound off my ideas with. It does get some adjustment on my part to find a comfortable balance.

If you are feeling lonely as a freelancer, here are some ways on how you can stay connected and deal with your emotions:

Schedule your meetings accordingly

If you have to meet several clients throughout the week, it is best to sort them out first in the day so you can focus better throughout the day.

While it is common to mash our meetings into one day, it is actually more productive if you spread your meetings throughout the week. This way you can focus and remember the details of the meeting much better.

If you can go out, it’ll be good to schedule at least one of your meetings (if possible) to be outdoors so you have no excuse to hole up in your room the whole week.

Read More: Meeting Hacks that will make you look Great!

Take a break with a workout or a simple walk

Even freelancers need to watch out for their health. To stay connected with the outside world, why not spend your breaks outside your home by doing walks or going to the gym? Doing this will help you interact with others and know what’s going on outside your home.

Break up your schedule into parts where you need to get up from your seat and be away from your laptop. Staring into your screen for 12 hours straight will drive anyone crazy and pretty bad for your eyes.

I usually insert chores in between my work. Sometimes, a break away from staring at the screen can clear my head and gives me new perspectives.

Work in a co-working space

If you don’t want to work at home or you don’t have the right environment at home to work, you can opt to work at co-working spaces where other freelancers also work.

These co-working spaces resemble office spaces, but it is more relaxed for freelancers to work on and any type of freelancer can rent a space in them. It is a great way to meet people who are freelancers and possibly in your niche too!

Read More: Which is Better: Co-working Space versus Traditional Office?

Boost your network

Don’t be afraid to check out social media sites and reach out to fellow freelancers by joining private groups or commenting on posts. If you get to know them better, add them, especially if they work in fields you are not familiar with or share the same goals as you do.

If you know someone who is also a freelancer, why not meet up with them in person to talk about your shared industry? You may just learn something or share new knowledge with one another.

Consider partnerships

While speaking out to others, consider starting a partnership with them and try reaching a goal together. You can start a group together focusing on the advocacies you share and so on.

You can even use this partnership to find another opportunity you can do together to earn more money and meet new people.

In Other Words

If you are a freelancer, it doesn’t mean that you will stay alone all the time. There are other people like you who are doing this same career and you only need to reach out to them so you won’t feel isolated from anyone.

Follow the tips above and see how your connections help your work life turn for the better. Share your tips if you are a freelancer. Remember, sharing is indeed caring!

If you are a new freelancer, welcome to the club. Here are some articles to help you to become a successful earning individual:
10 Writing Jobs That Pays For Real
How to Drive Traffic to Your New WordPress Site?
The Ultimate Checklist For New Freelancers

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