The Dark Side of Remote Work
There I was again, depressed and alone at home, wondering why I ate 5,000 calories in pizza and candy, fighting off a food coma stronger than a punch from Mike Tyson. 🥊
You wanted the freedom of a remote job, but did you ever think working from home daily would lead to an unexpected void?
Remote workers report suffering from loneliness 98% more often than in-office workers. I’m one of those 98%.
After skill-building my way into my dream career, I found that remote work has a dark side. It can get lonely working from home, so I need to remind myself of the things that help, even if it’s hard to admit sometimes. Minimizing and shrugging off bad habits can feel effortless when you’re stuck in a loop, so I follow one of the three tips I found from observing my (good and bad) patterns.
Want to know how to beat loneliness and stay happy as a remote worker? Keep reading! But here’s the thing: it’s not just about feeling better. You’ll also learn why moving to remote may benefit both you and your company. Hint: Coming soon, I’ll be writing about why businesses should allow their employees to work remotely. Everyone can benefit here, but the most important piece to this loneliness of working from home is YOU. Let’s start with the big questions! 👇
Can Remote Work Cause Depression?
Maybe you have a trophy on your wall for your lone wolf talent. If you're a professional homebody like me, you know how easy it is to stay home seven days a week. Sure, isolation may lead to depression, but depression is more complex than if you’re lonely or not.
Lucky for us, remote workers have perks that others don’t to beat your homebody lifestyle into submission if it goes too far! 🥷 It’s okay to admit that you want something more for yourself. For example, it can be hard for me to admit, but I know when I go out in public after being at home for a few days, I realize that I feel kinda good. Maybe it’s because I saw a cute girl, but does it really matter?
We’ll discuss those remote work perks that can be utilized later, but first, let’s start with the basics to understand how loneliness, depression, and remote work may be connected.
Let me know in the comments. Do you think loneliness, depression, and remote work are connected? Tell me how you really feel.
Signs of Depression
If you search online, this list can be as long as a ten-year-old Christmas list, but I noticed these few things that you may also:
Appetite Changes: Are you eating an entire pizza, KitKat, and more? Be mindful of significant weight loss or gain due to eating habits.
Social Withdrawal: Have you decided to stay home permanently? Avoiding social interactions, even with close friends and family.
Persistent Sadness or Hopelessness – Feeling down most of the time for no apparent reason, no longer enjoying the things you used to enjoy.
And more!
Long story short, depression sucks, and it’s easy to minimize, thinking it’s just normal. Look for a spike in these signs. More importantly, get help or talk to someone if needed. Depression is complex. I’m not a doctor, but I do know about the connection between loneliness and depression.
Loneliness is Not the Sole Cause of Depression
Remember the 5000-calorie food coma knockout punch? Well, loneliness can feel the same, so don’t let it go into a full-blown depressive state.
When depression hit me like a brick shithouse, I didn’t care how much I was eating, spending on Doordash, avoiding the gym (and I love weightlifting), and sometimes I loved being alone more than I loved myself.
If every day feels like a 5000-calorie coma, distinguish what’s gotten you there. Start journaling once a day so you are observant of those patterns. It’s incredible what you will find when you reflect on each day.
I’m about to drop a golden nugget here. Guess what? Being lonely as a remote worker wasn’t the sole cause of any of the disgusting activities that I mentioned above.
Overcoming Loneliness While Working Remote
Have you ever thought how stupid you were after finding the solution to something and what the solution was so simple that you kinda hated yourself for not taking action sooner? My solutions to overcome being lonely at home all day may feel cliche, but they worked for me as a work-from-home designer:
Leave the House: Leave the house for a few hours. Don’t complicate it. Get out and work somewhere. Try working at a suitable coffee shop. Order something, chat with the person at the register, find somewhere comfy to plop, put on some noise-canceling headphones, and get to work. Being around people helps you stay more content and avoid bad habits at home.
Schedule Weekly Visits: Do you see friends or family at least once a week? It only takes one person. What works is having one solid friend who has interests similar to yours. Work together for a day. It’s not hard, and having a friend on a similar path can be motivating as hell.
Stop Trying to Do More: Your brain gives you clues if it’s overwhelmed. For example, if you’re eating a 5000-calorie meal and writhing in pain afterward. That is a sign is your brain is trying to cope (healthy or not), so that is your queue to take a damn break and do less. Stop trying to be a multi-tasking machine and overthinking your entire life. Focus on one big thing a day (it’s only temporary). Simplifying will soothe your mind and give it the space to breathe, priming it for a bit of recharge to get you back on track.
If you want to be a remote freelancer, I’ve created something special for you where I discuss the top ten reasons to be a remote freelancer.
The Benefits of Working from Home
Businesses and remote workers can save ~$10k a year or more by working from home. Yes, working from home has a dark side at times, but the benefits outweigh the challenges. If you're an entrepreneurial spirit trying to work remotely or a business considering the potential of remote workers, let me convince you why moving to remote is beneficial. 👇
Perks for remote work as an employee
By working remotely, you save up to $12,000 per year. If dollar signs don’t get you excited, let’s talk about some of the benefits of remote work. I know you want to leave reading this with a happy ending, so let’s review the perks of remote work to help fight off the big sad.
Unlimited Coffee Tasting: My personal favorite and one of the best perks about working remotely is working from coffee shops. If you love coffee (like me) then go work at a coffee shop flavoring different hot bean juices.
Family Time: Time with your dog or your kids. Mothers (and fathers) can now build an income easier than ever while raising little ones.
Scheduling Freedom: Work when you want and how you want. Strive for a career where you are empowered to do whatever the hell you want as long as you deliver.
Locational Freedom: Being a digital nomad is still very much possible with the right career. As long as you can focus while you’re on the road, the entire world is at your fingertips. What are you trying to unlock by changing your career?
Move to Remote Before it’s Too Late
If you're working alone and feeling isolated, I have a challenge to help break that lonely awkwardness and build conversation skills to make adventuring outside your home easier. Taking action and making simple steps to change your daily work routine will help you fight the loneliness of remote work. The dark side is always there, but you need to remember to look at the bright side (cliche, right?). There are things in your control and these perks are what make remote work badass.
The benefits of working remotely outweigh the negatives for employees and businesses. Therefore, it’s time to make the change!
Are you creative and looking to build a career in tech? Check out my handbook: "UX/UI Designer's Guide: How I Went from $15/hr to $45/hr and Built a High-Paying Career in Product Design—Starting from Zero."