How to Make Friends When You Work From Home (Without It Being Weird)

No commute, no office politics, no one microwaving fish in the shared kitchen – hel-LO working from home. But if you’ve ever looked up from your laptop, gazed longingly off into the distance and realised you haven’t spoken to another human all day… you’ll know there’s a not-so-glamorous side to it.

Whether you're self-employed, a remote worker, or running your own business from the kitchen table, the truth is: working from home can be fairly lonely.

And after a while, that lack of connection can start to take a real toll on your mental health, your productivity, and your overall wellbeing.

So… how do you actually make friends or meaningful connections when you work from home?

Why Loneliness Hits Harder When You Work Remotely

When your home becomes your workplace, the lines between personal and professional life can start to blur very quickly. And for many of us, especially women, that often looks like this:

• You haven’t left the house in three days.

• Your only conversation was with the courier driver.

• Your motivation is tanking on repeat - but you can’t figure out why.

  
  

Research has shown that remote workers are more likely to feel isolated and disconnected. Even if you’re introverted and technically enjoy working solo, there’s still a very real human need for interaction, validation, and community.

And when we don’t get that?

We feel flat. We lose focus. We doubt ourselves.

How Isolation Impacts Your Business (And Your Brain)

Working alone all the time doesn’t just affect your social life - it affects the way you work too. Some common side effects of long-term remote work isolation include:

• Lower productivity: No one to bounce ideas off or break up the monotony.

• Lack of motivation: It’s hard to stay driven when you’re in your own bubble.

• Difficulty switching off: Without the ‘leaving the office’ ritual, work bleeds into everything.

• Decision fatigue: When you’re the only one making every call, it gets exhausting.

• Creative blocks: Innovation thrives on collaboration and without that, your spark dims.

  
  

And for extroverts? It’s tenfold. If you gain energy from spending time with other people and in new environments, working alone day in and day out can feel like you’re running on an empty tank.

The Power of Community (Even If You're Not a “Networker”)

You don’t have to overhaul your lifestyle to feel more connected. You just need to make small, intentional changes to bring people back into your workday.

Joining a local coworking space - even just one or two days a week - can be the difference between burnout and balance.

At The Foundry Cowork, we hear it all the time:

“I didn’t realise how isolated I’d become until I started working here. The energy, the chats, even just seeing other people working hard has been a game-changer.”

Coworking offers you a plug-and-play workspace, sure, but it also offers you:

• A built-in network of like-minded people

• Casual connections that often turn into collaborations or friendships

• Regular events, chats in the kitchen, and shared ‘you’ve got this’ snippets

• A rhythm to your week that breaks the solo cycle

  
  

You might come in for the WiFi - but you’ll stay for the community.

How to Start Rebuilding Your Social Circle At Work

If you’re feeling the pull to connect, here are a few simple steps to start making new work friends when you work from home:

1. Switch up your environment Work from a local cafe or coworking space once or twice a week. Being around the energy of others (even without talking) makes a big difference.

2. Start small Say hi to someone new. Compliment their laptop background. Ask what they’re working on. You don’t need to overshare - just open the door.

3. Join local business events or networking nights They don’t have to be stiff or salesy - many are relaxed and genuinely fun. (Psst… we run these at The Foundry too!)

4. Find your people online Local Facebook groups or community networks can help you meet new people in your area.

5. Be consisten Friendships form over time. Show up regularly, be yourself, and let connection happen naturally.

Looking for Real Connection? You’ll Find it at The Foundry

Whether you’re feeling stuck, flat, or just a bit over working from your spare room - we’ve got you.

At The Foundry Cowork, we offer more than just a desk. You’ll find:

·        A welcoming, relaxed space designed for solo workers

·        Friendly faces who get what it’s like to run a business or work remotely

·        Real conversations, meaningful connections – and coffee to go with it!

Trial a desk on us! Use code FDFREE to book a free casual day in Erina or Gosford.

Find out how different remote work can feel when you’re not doing it alone.