Getting used to WFH

[CaptainChannel]

I've been lucky to start a new job recently, having left the busy but increasingly tricky world of teaching. I really like the content of my job, and my colleagues are nice and the money is pretty good. It's also SO much better for my work-life balance in terms of school runs etc.
But, I'm finding it so hard to get used to being by myself all day, it feels so lonely! There are occassional trips into the office but not often. How do people get used to this? What can I add into my day to alleviate the isolated feeling? Or do you just get used to it over time?
I live quite rurally and don't have a nearby cafe that I could work from but I do try to get out for a walk or jog each day.
I have tried working with music or the radio on but I find it hard to concentrate on my work so can't really do that. grateful for any experiences!

I didn’t, I ended up on antidepressants. Thank god I’m allowed back out to work now.

@LadyCatStark

I didn’t, I ended up on antidepressants. Thank god I’m allowed back out to work now.

Gosh I'm really sorry to hear that, I hope you are feeling better now. I can see how that might happen. I really appreciate the upsides of my new job but it is so different to what I'm used to.

I can’t get used to it, after almost 2 years.

I’m desperate to get back to the office, and intend to go in around 4 days out of every 5 once the pandemic passes. I like the people, the small talk, the friendliness, the working printers, not having to make my own lunch, the clothes. Even the commute as a transition from one aspect of my life to another.

You just have to get used to it, you can't have it all ways .
I can't imagine working from a cafe would be very productive.

I've wfh for 7 years , it helps to have a home office , dedicated space if you can. Take regular breaks away from your work station and that's about it really.
Remember that all new jobs take a while to get used to

I listen to pop instrumental music so the lyrics don't put me off. I'm lucky that my DH also WFH so we go for a walk and I can stick my nose in his office if I want a chat.

I’m PT ATM and doing a course on the other days, but when I was FT WFH, I worked four long days and took every Wednesday off for salon, massage and/or book group. Also lunch with whoever was around.

You mention school runs, though, so that is trickier.

@HairyScaryMonster

I listen to pop instrumental music so the lyrics don't put me off. I'm lucky that my DH also WFH so we go for a walk and I can stick my nose in his office if I want a chat.

pop instrumental music is a good idea, I'll give it a try.

That's why I got a puppy!
I do like the convenience of it but I miss the chat and company.

I speak to my colleagues on the phone quite a bit but also listen to lots of podcast. I find listening to other people talking quite soothing while I’m working.

Rather then have entire conversations over messenger, try to actually phone people occasionally too. Even if you have to message 'are you free for a quick question/chat?'

Something some of us sometimes do is 'work alongside' one another, so we have a Web meeting open but we work on our own things, whilst chatting as you would in an office. Sounds silly but is very nice.

And maybe use the extra free time to try a club or class that you've always wanted to?

I have had to WFH since the start of the pandemic and it's been good and bad. Nice in the summer with the door open and not having the heating on, not so nice being isolated all day.
There have been some good threads on here with tips, but every time I see someone say 'you need a separate room to work in' I want to shout we don't all have a separate room! I have to work in my living room which is very open plan, this makes it harder as my work stuff is constantly out but there isn't anything I can do.

I hate it. I was working at home on Friday and it reminded me how shit it is and how much I hate it.

@TheSpottedZebra

Rather then have entire conversations over messenger, try to actually phone people occasionally too. Even if you have to message 'are you free for a quick question/chat?'

Something some of us sometimes do is 'work alongside' one another, so we have a Web meeting open but we work on our own things, whilst chatting as you would in an office. Sounds silly but is very nice.

And maybe use the extra free time to try a club or class that you've always wanted to?

This sounds like a good idea, thank you.

Was just about to suggest using phone more than email. If I have any days where i don’t have many scheduled calls I try and make sure I replace a couple of emails with calls instead.

I also try and schedule a couple of “coffee catch ups” each week, generally with people I’m not currently working with day to day (I’m project based). If you are new in role do you have a list of people you are meant to get an intro to?

What kind of role are you in? I'm project based, so there are always new people to have coffee intros with, which can easily turn into to regular weekly/fortnightly/monthly coffee catch ups.

Since you are new, you can an excuse to ask anyone for a quick intro. Find some open ended questions how's it going/what are you working on/how does that fit into

Other questions that work well for me is 'what are you looking forward to' rather than 'any holidays planned' can open people out into all sorts of interesting areas.

Not everyone will be open to interacting in this way. You can be sure that there are lots of people who are missing office interactions and who will be keen to make contact. Concentrate on those.

Good luck.

While I think about it, we are very 'Teams' based and would always drop a mesg in a chat asking if it's ok to call or when is a good time to call, rather than just ringing someone out of the blue.

One of the best things about WFH is that ability to schedule what you do when. A phone call is always going to be an interruption, best make sure it is a plea to me by checking in advance if dialling. I really miss this with people for while I only have a number. I would tend to text to check when is good to ring.

I have done it for years. Definitely get showered and dressed before you start. Sometimes I get colleagues who reveal they are still in their pyjamas or get up 5 mins before 0900!

A mixture of home and office\client visits is ideal. Get dressed smartly and put on some make up when you are out and about. Although I am always dressed I very rarely put on make up to work from home but going to the office or client visits I definitely do!