How do I make remote work less lonely?

The core insight is that you should not expect your job to satisfy your social needs. Remote work strips away the automatic daily interactions that office life provides, exposing how much we have outsourced our social bucket to work. The piece argues that this expectation is misplaced and that relying on work for mental wellness creates pressure that can hurt both personal happiness and professional performance.

It explains that for decades we have let schools and workplaces dictate our social circles, a dynamic that companies have even encouraged because it boosts cohesion and retention. When you lose a job, switch roles, or retire, those built-in social ties disappear, leaving a gap. Remote work forces you to confront this reality now, giving you a chance to learn a new skill: deliberately cultivating relationships outside of work.

The article offers practical tactics. First, clarify the kind of people you want in your life and seek them out. Second, redesign your daily routine to include intentional social moments-swap a morning Slack check-in for a swim or coffee at a local spot, turn online friendships into in-person meetups, get involved in neighborhood activities, take lunch breaks with friends, or host walking meetings. Third, use the flexibility of remote work to relocate or spend more time in communities that share your values, whether that means moving closer to family or choosing a city with a culture you admire.

The author shares a personal contrast: a previous in-person role that felt unsafe and unhappy versus a current remote setup surrounded by supportive, fun people who challenge her thinking and boost her work. The takeaway is clear-by taking ownership of your social ecosystem, you protect your morale and improve your professional output.