I have been working from home for long enough now that I can’t say how long it’s been. Many months. My office is being refurbished, so several of us were given the opportunity in order to free up space to shift people around in the building. I don’t mind working from home, and it’s actually been very convenient for several family arrangements.
However, I have begun to feel the absence of the lack of spontaneous human contact, I think. I chat regularly with my friends on Google hangouts, and I see them in person at least once a week for our weekly dinner/board game night, but the time in between seems to be missing something. I can’t just wander over to the next cube to chat for a minute.
I have access to all my coworkers via phone, email, or our work instant messenger, and I take advantage of that sometimes, but those options just seem…intrusive. I realize that’s irrational, as it’s no more intrusive than interrupting them with my physical presence. They all also lack intimacy and important social queues like someone telling me to get lost with their body language.
On top of missing casual contact at work, I have been thinking lately that I’d like to form some new, meaningful, social relationships. Strictly platonic! I would honestly like to engage with people in stratas and situations much different from my own. I want to gain perspective, and share my own.
I have absolutely no idea how to make that happen. I don’t have a lot of spare time exactly, so it happening in person (at least at first) is pretty unlikely. I have considered some sort of pen pal arrangement, but that is strangely intimidating. I think I would legitimately enjoy corresponding with inmates, but that makes me feel awkwardly self-righteous.
I know, lots of buts. I just need to pull some kind of trigger…but…I’m not sure how best to pursue this desire for a new social relationship. Any ideas? Anyone out there want to be my e-neighbor?