Many people have discovered that they can be very happy (and reduce loneliness) by working or volunteering from home.
- More and more, businesses are taking advantage of technology that allows employees to work from home.
Telecommuting, once reserved for only a few employees, is now common. People can work from almost anywhere, as long as they have access to a computer or a telephone. The work can vary and may easily involve conference calls, video conferencing and other ways for teams to work together from remote locations. Many people find that they can work together as easily from across the globe as they can from the office next door.
- Some call centers extend their employee base to include homebound workers. Using call-forwarding technology, companies have discovered that using work-at-home employees has advantages over outsourcing to overseas facilities.
- You can run your own business from home, creating a Web site to sell goods, services or information.
- Many entrepreneurs have successfully developed Internet businesses by becoming affiliates, a form of selling in which people get paid by connecting buyers with sellers. Inventory and office rent are not required -- just online and advertising savvy.
If being self-employed is interesting to you, think about the skills and knowledge you could offer. With some effort you might find an opportunity that is just right for you.
Volunteering: A Great Way to Meet New People
Volunteering is another form of work, although unpaid. Some not-for-profit organizations need help with mailings, developing educational materials, or assembling toys.
Projects that require telephoning are not limited to seeking donations. Some volunteer projects involve staying in touch with latch-key kids, coordinating food distribution, mentoring and other phone-intensive activities.
If you are considering a volunteer job, think about whether you would prefer a short-term project or one that is open-ended, and let the organization know which you prefer.
Reduce Loneliness by Inviting People to Your Home
- After school activities for children are being reduced by budget cuts, but at the same time working parents are looking for ways to avoid leaving their kids at home alone. While you may not want a house full of children, one or two might be just right. Once a week, share your favorite hobbies, tell stories, help with their homework or simply have a conversation over a glass of milk and cookies.
- Do you have a hobby or skill that others might want to learn? Think about offering a small class once a week in your home. You may be surprised to know that adults might also enjoy basking in your company.
- Make your home the meeting place for book clubs, planning committees, etc. Ask people to bring snacks or refreshments to share, so that burden isn’t always on you.
Being at home need not be an isolating experience that increases feelings of loneliness. There are many ways to share yourself and stay involved with others.
Ready to get started? Check with your library for resources, or call local government agencies and schools. It may take some effort, but you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find.
If loneliness is a problem for you, figuring out how to explore new opportunities could be an interesting and engaging activity that will lead to a better quality of life.
Andrea Tannenbaum is the president of Dynamic-Living.com.
For ideas on how to make social connections to reduce loneliness, see page 1: How to meet new people when it’s difficult to get around
