Each new start is a big task that involves so much more than finding housing and learning how to get to work. Moving comes with a nebulous goal of creating a meaningful life in a new place, complete with a new group of friends. In a matter of a few years, I’d graduated college, graduated grad school and in effect, severed myself from my immediate friends every time I moved to another state.
For example, if you’re a tea person, you might seek out a high tea at a hotel or an event at a tea house nearby. “Even the tea accessories open doors for finding new friends with similar interests,” McCurdy says. If you are dogless but still looking to find some four-legged companions in your new city, try Wag or Rover, which connect dog walkers and sitters with people whose pets need walking or sitting.
Check out local haunts
Also, set boundaries for yourself between work and personal life — try to limit both after-hours work and excessive socializing during work hours. Workplace relationships and friendships are slightly different to navigate than those of the outside world, of course — professionalism and respect for each other’s boundaries are hugely important here. Be aware of office dynamics and ensure your friendships don’t negatively impact your work or others’ perception of your professionalism. Finding a group of people you click with may be challenging, but rest assured that building meaningful relationships takes time — patience and perseverance are key to building a healthy social network.
- Back in San Diego, my best buddy lived a couple of minutes away.
- Find things you like to do, and then you’ll most likely find people who enjoy the same activities.
- Your weekly hobbies could be huge pools for potential friends.
But having friends by your side can help make the transition easier. That said, like most things in life, finding a new friend group is often easier said than done. Stepping out of your comfort zone and meeting and interacting with new people is intimidating AF. Finding how to make friends when you work from home a faith community that resonates with you can help create a really solid foundation as you build a life for yourself in a new place. “For a lot of people, religious and spiritual organizations can help promote finding new friendships in a new city,” Wiercyski says.
Actually Read Those Coffee Shop Flyers
And there was one study in particular that looked at engineers, and it actually just counted the number of lines of edits they got on their code. And people who were working remotely and didn’t see their managers got fewer lines of edits on their code. There’s survey data out right now that indicates that people are just feeling kind of uneasy about this moment.
- So, you’ll want to make sure you follow up with other transitioners you meet.
- I have also seen offices try game night to mixed results in terms of the enthusiasm of the team.
- Volunteering will also surround you with like-minded people that are easy to bond with—it’s a natural, organic place to start.
- About 10 years ago, Servo and her husband moved to Louisville from Seattle.
If you’re on the introverted side and the idea of making the first move IRL feels too scary, there’s an app for that. “For those more introverted, try options like meet-up apps and websites that help you ease into things,” suggests Elliot. Well, apps like Bumble BFF allow you to choose friends like you choose dates.
Don’t Take Brush-Offs Personally
Even small conversations with others boost our mood and increase our sense of belonging. Plus, your locationships might introduce you to people you feel more connected to. What a lot of workers tell me is that a game night or a bar cart can be fun here and there.
To make friends with your colleagues, you’re going to need to let your guard down a little bit. You don’t need to share deep secrets, but you should try to make https://remotemode.net/ interactions about more than just work. It was awkward for about a minute, but a single hug later we were picking up in real life where we’d left off online.
It’s not unexpected if you feel sad while trying to find your social feet in a new place, says Dr Yager. “If you don’t know anyone in the new location, you may have to work hard not to let your loneliness make you too sad or depressed,” she tells Bustle. Your wellbeing is important, so if you notice that your loneliness is getting you down, take steps. “Work on that by joining a support group or seeing a therapist,” says Dr Yager.
- Some CEOs have said this explicitly — that they feel that if young people at the company want a future and want to rise in the ranks, that they have to develop in-person relationships with people.
- I think what a lot of researchers I’ve spoken to have said is that when they look at studies on the effects of remote work on productivity, they’re kind of all over the map.
- Take some lunch breaks or enjoy your morning coffee at your local park, and head down to the beach at sunset for a leisurely stroll.
