How to Handle Isolation When Working From Home

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can find my full disclosure page here.

Isolation and working from home often go hand in hand.

You may feel like you’re all alone. Or that no one understands what you’re going through. You may miss the social aspects of reporting to work each day. And wish that there was someone you could talk “shop” with.

But, just because working from home can feel isolating at times doesn’t mean that it has to be. You can take action to help you grow your network and make connections. Even when you’re a busy mom trying to juggle your business and your family.

To help you here are five ways to help you not feel as lonely when you’re working from home.

1. Speak Some Truth

First, speak some truth into your life. You are not alone.

I know it can feel like it at times.

But there are plenty of other people hard at work, doing what you’re doing. They’re hustling to grow their business while combating mom guilt, struggling to keep the house clean, and worrying that they’ll never get it all done.

When you remind yourself that you are not alone, it can help improve your mental outlook. It can make you feel less isolated and lonely. Other people are doing what you’re doing…even if you don’t see them personally.

2. Connect with Others

The trick is to find those other people and start connecting with them.

You need to find your tribe of people who get it. You need to connect with those who understand the lingo of your business because they’re speaking it too.

But, heading out to network with these other mamas sounds impossible when you’re working from home with kids.

Especially when you live in the boonies where there aren’t a lot of other people around period. Networking in person often involves a long drive to a big city or a flight to one.

So what can you do?

You look for creative ways to connect, build a relationship, and support each other.

Here are some ways to make it happen.

Not a mompreneur yet? If you’re looking for a way to make money from home as a busy mom, I highly recommend freelance writing. Here’s the course that got me started!

Join a Mastermind Group

I’ve tried several mastermind groups over the years. The one I really loved closed over a year ago, and I’ve been looking for something to replace it.

Then I found another one I enjoyed and it closed a few months after opening…so now I’m looking again. If you know of a great one, I’d love your recommendations!

And once you do find one, here are some tips for making the most of it:

• Don’t just join the group; participate!
• Read the posts and respond to some
• Purposefully make connections
• Try to learn from others
• Watch the coaching calls
• Join the challenges
• Take action

Otherwise you’re just sending someone a monthly fee, which is sort of like throwing your money away. Don’t do that!

Facebook Groups

Masterminds aren’t the only way to join other mompreneurs. I’m in several Facebook Groups with other ladies doing incredible things.

If you’re looking to join an online community, <= that post has some great recommendations!  They can give you a way to chat with other moms in the trenches and encourage each other.

Of course, Facebook tends to run away with your time. It’s easy to “jump on real quick” and suddenly look up and realize half an hour has passed.

So be intentional with your time. I like to block out thirty minutes early in the morning for Facebook, and most of that is spent connecting in groups.

A good rule of thumb?

Give more than you take – if you can answer someone’s question, do it. These other moms are not your competitors – they are your coworkers. So help them out when you can.

In Person

Though I don’t often have the opportunity to meet other WAHMs, I enjoy it when I do. There’s something special about meeting offline in real life!

Maybe you can go hang out at a park while your kids play. Or grab a quick cup of coffee.

If you’re in the SE Missouri area and want to get together, let me know! Meeting in person is a big boost when you’re feeling isolated when working from home.

Get a Coach

Coaching is another way to make a purposeful connection with others. Having a coach gives you a mentor and cheerleader to lean on when you’re feeling isolated.

Look for a coach who is doing what you want to do. One who has been there, done that, and is still going. Your coach won’t have “arrived” yet, since we’re all still works in progress. But they should be at least slightly ahead of you on the journey.

Need a coach? I love helping other work from home moms build their businesses while raising af family. Learn more about my coaching here.

3. Get Your Family On Board

In addition to connecting with other work-from-home mamas, you can combat isolationism in other ways.

There’s one group of people you are around frequently – your family. Don’t keep them out of your business. Instead, get them on board.

Trying to keep your work and your family completely separate will only add to your isolation. That’s because you won’t be discussing something really important to you with the people who are closest to you.

Your family can be a support network for you. They can help you brainstorm post ideas, do some basic tasks, and encourage you when times get tough.

If you’re married, you and your spouse need to be on the same page. I’ve discovered some great ways your spouse can support your business. Communication is key.

Talk about what you need. Talk about your goals and desires. Communicate together.

4. Spend Time on You

When you have no margin in your life, things get crazy. The overwhelm intensifies the feeling of isolation.

You begin to feel like you are doing so much, and no one even cares.

Don’t let yourself fall into this trap.

Instead, find some margin in your life. Look for ways to cut your commitments. Say no to some things.

And take time for you. Make self-care a priority.

Go for a quick walk.

Wake up before the kids and enjoy a cup of coffee while spending time with the Lord.

Streamline everything. Make a plan and be intentional with your time.

When you aren’t as stressed, you will have time to make connections and work on you. And you’ll be a better mom because of it

5. Be Content and Grateful

When you’re focusing on your blessings, it’s pretty hard to focus on your feelings of isolation.

Take time to count your blessings daily. What is going well? What are you thankful for?

My family and I gather twice daily (morning and night) for Bible time. As a part of that, we count our blessings. We sing part of the hymn Count Your Blessings, and everyone says something they are thankful for.

Some are big. Some are small. But I’ve noticed an enormous difference in everyone’s attitudes since we started purposefully talking about the good things twice a day.

My husband and I also went through Rachel Cruze’s The Contentment Journal and enjoyed the process of journaling about contentment.

Do You Struggle with Isolation When Working from Home?

How do you handle it? Do you use one of the tips above?

If you’re looking for a coach to help you through this or other working mom struggles, get in touch!