This morning I lay in bed and went over how many people I had spoken with yesterday. 5. The physio, his colleague, the receptionist, someone I’m brainstorming with over Skype and my son. And it got me thinking. Working women aspire to having the kitchen office, and it works for us on so many levels – but what does it take from us, and should we be concerned?
To all the mums who work from home – is connectivity (online access) and having connections (knowing people) the same as connection – deep friendships. No of course not – but I mean in terms of benefit to our health and life.
Having people you can trust and depend on – who have your back – who are your friends, your tribe – is so important, not only for every day life, but for your (healthy I hope) longevity – and theirs. You’d think this is the number one thing to a long and healthy life.
Social integration is actually more important – and the lack of it is the public health risk of our time. By social integration I mean both weak and strong bonds – so the butcher, the person at the supermarket, bank teller – the people you engage with but don’t invite over for a chat or BBQ. It’s about having someone to say hello to, how many people you interact with every day, not just how many you are very close to. Phewh. You can watch this TED talk for the low-down.
I have wonderful friends who definitely have my back, but they’re scattered around the world. I’m rubbish at connecting regularly – something I am remedying with Skype and FaceTime, which isn’t a good as the real thing, but better than faceless, voiceless contact.
All this got me thinking – my friends and I, yes we’re connected with and to each other – but I’m not really plugged in to my local community. I work from home, which can be pretty isolating, and I don’t get to meet people through the daily grind. I have some local, strong connections, but not strong daily or weekly ones. I love my time with myself and have no struggles on that front – none that I know of. I just hope I’m not digging a hole for myself (one that you go into and don’t come out of).
What about you? Do you work from home and find you’re on your own in too many ways
- or are you dying to work from home (no pun intended!) even if it means less daily chat with people you can see and touch.Please share in the comment box below – step one to connect is to engage 🙂
