In recent times, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, there’s been a significant shift towards remote work. I’ve personally experienced this change since the start of 2020. Working from home has its advantages and disadvantages. In this story, I’ll share my journey and insights into the challenges I’ve encountered while adapting to this new way of working.
My primary concern has been achieving a balance between staying productive and working efficiently while working from home, as remote workers often face significant challenges in these two areas. What’s more, subtleties and necessary knowledge are frequently overlooked. During my own experience, I came across some of these hidden challenges, and it took some guidance to uncover them.
As I mentioned before, sometimes we need a fresh perspective, and having someone else see things differently from a different angle can help us see things differently. This truth became especially apparent during a recent call with a friend living abroad. She was excited to share that she had moved to a new neighborhood with standalone houses, which was a big change from her previous shared building with separate apartments. This transition brought to light how much our living environments impact our daily lives.
During our conversation, I asked Noor, “How do you feel about your new neighborhood and your new house?”
Noor responded, “I’m happy because I have a house with a garden here. My son has made new friends with our neighbor’s children, and I’ve even made new friends. We meet up from time to time.”
I commented, “That sounds wonderful. You missed the sense of community in your old neighborhood.”
Noor agreed, saying, “People here are completely different; they are friendly and all know each other. So I feel good about this. But you know something? I used to be alone. I feel like being alone and focusing on your life is better than being social.”
I replied, “I think it’s important to be social and engage with people; it’s better for your mental health.”
Later that day, as I was arranging my thoughts, I realized that there was a lot of space for this idea and that it needed to be filled with valuable insights. I recalled my initial conversation with Noor with a focus on our dissimilar perspectives on loneliness and social isolation.
Later on, I found myself behind the laptop screen, delving deep into the world of the web in my effort to comprehend the impact of loneliness and social isolation. During my research, I came across an article titled ‘How Loneliness and Social Isolation Affect Our Mental and Physical Health’ on the CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website. The article focused on the serious health concerns linked to social isolation.
The article stated, “Although it’s hard to measure social isolation and loneliness precisely, there is strong evidence that many adults aged 50 and older are socially isolated or lonely in ways that put their health at risk.” This sentence alone underscores the gravity of the issue.
Further, it revealed that “Poor social relationships (characterized by social isolation or loneliness) were associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.” These statistics were eye-opening and emphasized the
tangible health consequences of loneliness.
But the impact wasn’t limited to physical health alone. The article also noted, “Loneliness was associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide.’” This highlighted the profound toll that loneliness could take on one’s mental well-being.
These findings resonated with the conversation I had with Noor earlier that day. Loneliness wasn’t just a feeling; it had the potential to become a silent threat to both our physical and mental health.”
I didn’t anticipate that loneliness could be so harmful, but what’s crucial to understand is that it’s not just about being physically alone. Loneliness can also result from self-isolation, which means withdrawing from social activities or lacking a friend or family member who you can connect with and confide in.
My personal experience with working from home since early 2020 has given me a deeper insight into this issue. I’ve gone through this firsthand, especially when it comes to its impact on mental health due to the COVID-19 restrictions in 2020.
As the coronavirus restrictions gradually eased, I began to adapt to this new way of working. I discovered ways to balance remote work with social interaction. I rekindled relationships with people in my local community, and, like my friend Noor, who lives abroad, I started to forge new connections. This journey prompted me to delve deeper into the topic of loneliness and social isolation.
In my conversation with Noor, she pointed out that solitude can enhance focus and lead to a better life through work. Reflecting on my own experiences, I realized that there is indeed a positive side to solitude. This drove me to seek out an article titled “How Important Is Alone Time for Mental Health?” published on the Very Well Mind website. The article shed light on the benefits of spending time alone, and it resonated with my experiences and conversation.
The article highlighted that alone time “Improved personal exploration: Having time to yourself is critical for growth and personal development. Instead of worrying about the needs, interests, and opinions that others may have, alone time lets you focus on yourself.”
Moreover, the article mentioned that alone time increases creativity “Research actually suggests that being alone can lead to changes in the brain that help fuel the creative process. One study found that people who tend to purposely withdraw in order to spend time alone also tend to be highly creative people.”
The two advantages of having more creativity and focus would enrich your life if you knew how to strike a balance between spending time alone and having a healthy social life.
Additionally, alone time can recharge your social energy. It provides a space for introspection and self-care, ultimately enhancing your ability to engage with others more meaningfully.
Discovering the significance of alone time and its impact on mental health was an eye-opener. It affirmed the wisdom of my suggestion to Noor and also confirmed Noor’s point of view. that self-isolation increases focus and creativity, which made it evident that a balanced social life should go along with rather than disrupt your everyday schedule. It’s all about finding the right balance between social interactions and alone time.
Both aspects—socializing and solitude—contribute to a better life. Reflecting on my own experiences, I realized that I had naturally struck this balance before I fully grasped its importance. Armed with this knowledge, I’m now committed to maintaining this balance.
I’ve learned that isolation isn’t the answer, but neither is overwhelming socializing. The key is to schedule dedicated time for social relations while also preserving moments for personal reflection. This equilibrium not only helps us achieve our goals but also fosters self-awareness and good mental health, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling life.
Before I finalize, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my dear friend Noor. Her insights and our conversations have been invaluable in shedding light on this important topic. Thank you for taking the time to read, and a special thank you to Noor for helping me see the world through a different lens.
