Feeling sad 😢 as a solopreneur? Here’s how to combat loneliness when working as a freelancer
Being a freelancer comes with some drawbacks and some serious perks. For example, while you may have to spend more time dealing with annoying clients and handling tons of admin, you can also work remotely and in such a way that it fits into your schedule, rather than the other way around. You are, in essence, your own boss.
But one of the biggest issues that many solopreneurs deal with are feelings of loneliness. This is because many of them work from home and can sometimes go days without seeing another human in the flesh, especially when deadlines are looming. Add to that a global pandemic and enforced social distancing and you have the perfect recipe for a sad solo situation.
Want to know how you can get out of your feels and get back to the grind? Here are four ways to combat loneliness and feel a sense of community in your freelancing field.
1. Stretch your legs
One of the benefits of being a freelancer is that you aren’t deskbound from nine to five each day. Use this flexibility to your advantage and find a few minutes each day (or, at least, most days) to get out of the house, whether this is visiting clients for a face-to-face meeting, going to the shops or taking your furry friend for a walk around the block. This will remind you that there are other humans out there, and give you some fresh air for improved focus.
2. Join a co-working space
Back in the day, just about all freelancers worked either in an office for the duration of their contract or at home. These days, however, there are more options. Co-working spaces are popping up in cities and suburbs and can provide you with everything from strong coffee, fast WiFi and, of course, much-needed human interaction. And because you will be sharing this space with other freelancers it provides the perfect opportunity to get to know more people and build relationships with them.
3. Network at events
Whether this is attending events for independent professionals in general or something more specific to your field of expertise, industry launches and events are a great way to meet and touch base with people who are in the same line of work as you. Put on your biggest smile and try to make small talk with other attendees. This can broaden your circle, but professionally and socially. Need another reason? There will probably be canapés!
4. Join an online community
One of the ways that the digital age is making life simpler is that it is now easy to meet people without having to get dressed and leave your house. This is why digital communities are so popular. There are also communities that cater to the specific needs of freelancers, like Guild, where you can get access to free resources and sound advice, vent about the struggles of #freelancelife, and get a whole lot of support from fellow members.
