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Have you chosen the self-employment route? Congratulations on taking a step that will bring you independence and the thrill of owning your own business. You’ll learn a lot about running your own business, as well as new ways of working.

One of the issues that many people face with self-employment is loneliness. Working by yourself can mean that you lack the social interaction you get in an office space, but there are things you can do to help ensure you don’t miss out on the social side of work.

Want to stay social in self-employment? Take a look at some of the things you can do below.

Get out during the day

When you work from home, cabin fever can soon set in. Spending hour after hour in the same place can take its toll, leaving you feeling unmotivated and lonely. To stay healthy when working from home, it’s a good idea to get out and about during the day. Go for a lunchtime stroll, or try going outside for some exercise. While it might not be possible to leave your home office every day, try to get into the habit of getting out when you can.

Always take meetings off-site

Many people spend most of their days commuting by email or instant messenger; even phone calls are rare these days! But by meeting people face to face, it can get you out of the house and helps you get some beneficial social interaction. Whether you meet for lunch or for a coffee, it can be a good way to maintain that close contact with others and make your meetings more productive too. 

Try a co-working space

Co-working spaces are very popular as a way to help you stay self-employed while being able to share a space with others. There’s a lot to consider when choosing a traditional or co-working office, but you’ll get a great chance to network and continue to feel connected to others too. Some co-working spaces allow you to enjoy a flexible package, allowing you to pick and choose when you want to work near others, and when you want to work alone. 

Keep your evenings and weekends busy

When you work by yourself at home, your work/life balance can suffer. There’s always the temptation to keep working until late, but it’s important for your mental health that you know when to put your work down and finish for the night. Try to keep your evenings and weekends busy to help you find the right work/life balance when you’re a solopreneur. You also need to plan some vacation days – a break from work is important, and it will stop you from burning out.

Being self-employed comes with many great perks, but it’s important to find ways to combat the lonely side of the working alone. By maintaining the right balance, you can enjoy all of the benefits of working for yourself, without having to give up your social life.