Hey freelancers, do you have any tips for beating loneliness/isolation?
I started working freelance while I was on furlough last year and then quit my job to go full time freelance. I currently work from home and love being my own boss and helping clients achieve their dreams. I do, however, find myself missing working in a team sometimes - whether that be problem solving, helping, or just general chats and bants.
I mainly do fashion design (including all aspects such as design, pattern cutting, sampling so need decent amount of space and access to my machinery), admin work and some website design (all on my laptop).
I've contemplated signing up for a co-working space to work at 2-3 days a week or saving up for a studio space, but would also love to hear other ideas.
If you are in a similar boat or further along in your freelancing career, I would love to hear your thoughts on this issue. :)
Replies26
- Joining a co-working space is a great idea!I'd also suggest joining some real world clubs based on your interests or hobbies. Having something to look forward to with people who share the same interest/passion as yourself can get you through the lonely times. (And don't monetise this interest--keep it solely for yourself).Good luck!
- Just wanted to say that I recently joined a co-working space with a fashion studio. It has been really great to have some human contact and get to know some similar minded people. It has been great for my mental health and productivity too! So thank you to everyone that helped me with this issue previously.For anyone who is interested, the space I work in is called Workshop Coworking in Camden. I highly recommend it. I get a discount if I refer anyone to join, so please let me know if you are interested. Other than shamelessly plugging them though, it is a beautiful, peaceful space to work if you want a hot desk, fashion studio, or jewelry workshop. There is also a kitchen, free coffee/tea, meeting rooms, and a photography studio.
- Hey @Jennifer Yuen I've been exactly the same, it can be super tough ! I quit my job and went freelance full-time last year too, but it defintely does get better! Like others have mentioned going to a co-working space definitely helps! It's even nicer when you can go to a co-working space with friends who maybe work remotely too! I would highly recommend!I also recently discovered Always Create which is run by @Christina Banjo, which is a great network of Freelance Creatives! They host brunches and I believe have a co-working space too so I would check it out! :)
- @Jennifer Yuen so happy to hear it all resonated with you <3We're connected now, if you wanna keep chatting via DM.Also, wow, we have so much in common! I had the same disconnect from my friends because I loved electronic music and they didn't.PS. That's something I miss from Brazil - a good well made pao de queijo! I'm a terrible cook, so I can never get it right ;D
- @Jennifer Yuen Glad to be of help!
- @Matt Percival thanks Matt! Ha you definitely touched on a subject there. So true as I have a freelance project that is over 8 months long. Will definitely look into ways to keep the conversations going :)
- Hi @Jennifer Yuen I have little to add to all the good stuff here, except to say hopefully you're already experiencing the power of dialogue to counter feeling isolated. Go for the co-working space, the pet, find new projects and interests, but if you just need to chat, get feedback or join a group of like minds you can hardly do better than the Dots.From doing the homeworking thing for a few years myself, it's not so much isolation that becomes troubling, but lthe loss of confidence in yourself – you feel like you're not progressing, developing and you simply don't know if you're any good or your opinion has any value. That feeling usually arises when you've had your head down on a project for so long you've simply isolated yourself. If finding or paying for a co-working space just seems like to much of a stretch, just get yourself back in the conversation and you'll soon regain your confidence.
- Join online creative groups that offer regualr career updates and opportunities. Like the Guestlist
- @Beta Lucca Your video really resonated with me!I moved to London from Canada and I think that in the past, having coworkers, really helped me develop friendships. I've always worked in small companies of 5-10 people so it's easy to get to know people. I have a couple friends in other industries here, but I think I'm missing being on the same wave length sometimes haha. In Canada I never had this problem as well as I had more friends who I could "shoot the shit" with and be completely myself. Here in London I am still building deeper friendships. I guess it takes time sometimes!I also remember going through a phase when I was younger where I disconnected from my friends because I got into electronic music and they weren't into it haha. But you're right, although it got me into a new community surrounding that music, it also isolated me from others.That's interesting that podcasting brought you some connections too. It makes me think more about how my businesses can actually work more towards connection.Thank you for being so open and frank. Will definitely consider your suggestions :)P.S. I love Brasil and Pao de Queijo!! haha
- @Abigail Baldwin thank you so much!
- @Jennifer Yuen We were part of the Art& Talent Award which had group mentoring which lead to friendships. Also, NatWest's business accelerator was good too and included free co-working space. :-) Take a look at the Creative Industries Federation too.There will also be hyper local things, so keep your eyes peeled! I can't wait to get back out there to proper networking.
- @Abigail Baldwin So true! My only interaction is with my clients too and you're right, I can't fully relax around them. I never thought of that before! Do you have any group mentoring programs/accelerators you can recommend?
- @Alexandra (Lex) Hearth Thanks Lex! Your answer was really helpful. Will definitely consider these options.
- Hey Jennifer,I would definitely suggest pursuing the hot-desking/coworking space route. It's amazing how just being around other people makes you feel less isolated and more connected. You can also meet interesting people. Another option would be finding/starting a group with other freelancers where you rent an office space together, and then they kind of become your team while you can still work on the specific projects you do independently, Alexandra x
- Hi Jennifer,You are right — freelancing can be lonely work! Yet, so fulfilling when you're doing your own thing and achieving brilliant work for your clients.In fact, I realise most of the socialising I do is with clients. It's not a bad thing, but you need to make sure there are people you can relax around. After all, you can't really do that with clients.I found some of my "normal" friends don't really understand the world of business and self-employment. So, I made a decision to join initiatives where I could meet others in the same boat as me. Such as group mentoring programmes and accelerators.There, I've met friends who do understand! They are fully supportive and we meet regularly to have a natter. We set the world to rights.Also, you have to put in the effort for friendship, so don't spread yourself too thin! A couple of friends is enough.Be brave, reach out and invite that other lonely freelancer for a coffee. :-)
- I have felt this over lock down being freelance. I have made sure I facetime a friend daily and go for walks. I definitely think a co-working space gives you the option to be around other people and you get to choose when you want to interact with others and when you need some space.
- Talks and online events helped me a lot especially because being online you can chat with people from all over the world. Coworking spaces can be a hit and miss, maybe try different ones with the free day they usually offers: in some I found difficult even to say hi in front of the coffee machine (people were very much absorbed in their work). I find local friendly cafes much better: if you go there everyday you're likely to exchange some words with fellow freelancers or dog owners (and pet their dogs too!). Definetely a pet would help!
- If in your city there's a coworking space, it could be an interesting solution
- Hey Jennifer, I felt deeply lonely a couple of times in my life and can relate to how you must be feeling. It's hard. Thanks for sharing here. I did a few things that really helped me in the past (and now during the pandemic):- I made a video (*) about this, the loneliness epidemic (even before Covid) and the importance of connection. That was great to connect with others who felt the same and remind myself of how important it is to reach out to a therapist or family member- During the lockdown I made sure to open space on my calendar to call my mom, my sister and my best friends- Also the last months I decided to change my full-time commitment to go freer on my multiple projects. Like you, I missed engaging with my former colleagues. So I searched for new tribes of likeminded people and gave more time to them.- I double down on new hobbies like podcasting so I had an excuse to build new connections with people I admire and wanted to have a deep convo with.Trye one or more of those! Hopefully they will make you feel connected again. It's a wonderful opportunity to expand your mind into new areas and people :)(*) link to the video here: https://youtu.be/55jl6H4hCIA
- I find a quick and easy way to feel part of something is to go to a talk or event listed here on The Dots (most are free). When I Zoom in, it's like listening in on a conversation that might be going on around me in a studio, and if I join in on the chat then I really feel like I'm part of something. And I get to learn too!
- @ɐɹoᗡ ɐuu∀ ˥ aw that sounds wonderful!! Thanks for sharing :) I love just with my partner but I am alone most days.
- Hi Jen,I got a cat for my home studio. I personally prefer to work from home than in a co-working space but to be fair I live alone in a flat so I understand it's not the same if you have flatmates etc.. But so having a small pet makes a huge difference in the working from home experience.
- Maybe listening a music while working.in this pandemic situation, i normaly went on the roof, make a group video call with friends in same field and work. :-)
- @ELLA MARIA TRAMUNTO thank you! Will check out those groups mentioned :)
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