Is Remote Work Making You Lonely?

When I first started working in a team of over 600 remote colleagues, I didn’t expect to feel lonely—but I did. At first, it was easy to feel like just another name on a screen. Over time, though, we found ways to build intentional, meaningful connections.

Here’s exactly what worked for us and what you can try for yourself.

1. Set Up a Virtual Buddy System for Daily Check-Ins

• Why It Worked: Having a designated “virtual buddy” meant I had a specific person to share my day with—no small talk, just genuine connection.
  

• How We Did It:

  • Paired Up Intentionally: We were matched with colleagues from different teams to build cross-department relationships.

  • Used Slack & Video: A mix of quick DMs and weekly video chats made check-ins easy.

  • Shared the Wins and Struggles: Knowing someone was there for both the highs and lows made work feel less isolated.

2. Host Virtual Social Hours That Matter

• The Impact: These hours weren’t just about having fun, they were moments to connect outside of “work talk.”
  

• How We Organized It:

  • Donut chats: Each person was paired with another via the Donut integration on Slack.

  • Picked Themes That Reflect Us: We did everything from trivia to favorite book talks

  • Kept It Real: Casual, unstructured time let us get to know each other on a personal level.

• My Takeaway: When social time feels natural and not forced, it’s easier to open up.

3. Break Up the Day With Intentional ‘Connection Breaks’

• Why This Helped: These short breaks helped combat isolation, giving space to connect without the pressure of long meetings.
  

• Simple Steps:

  • 5-Minute “How Are You?” DMs: I’d check in with teammates, and they’d do the same for me.
    

  • 15-Minute Coffee Chats: Scheduling a quick video chat once a week to talk about anything but work made a big difference.
    

• When It Worked Best: Mid-morning or late afternoon were great times to take a step back and just connect.

4. Encouraging Leaders to Make Remote Connection Part of the Culture

• How Our Leaders Showed Up: Connection became part of the job, not just a “nice to have.” We were encouraged to connect with each other.
  

• What Our Leaders Did:

  • Weekly Shout-Outs: Recognizing team members for their hard work in real-time.

  • Created Peer Support Pods: Small groups on Slack that met monthly for support and idea-sharing.

  • Real Conversations: Leaders shared their own struggles with remote work, creating a culture of openness and trust.

5. Simple Tips You Can Try Right Now

• Set Boundaries: Log off at the end of the workday to create personal time.
  

• Open Up: Share a fun fact at the beginning of meetings to create common ground.
  

• Set up your social hours on your calendar.
  

• Join a Remote Work Community: Communities like Remote Base and (so many others!) can connect you with other remote workers who get it.

You’re Not Just a Name on a Screen

Remote work doesn’t mean you have to feel alone.

Small, intentional steps can help you find connection, support, and inspiration, no matter how big the team or how far apart you are.

So, let’s make remote work something more than just “work from anywhere”—let’s make it feel like we’re in it together.

Want to get better at remote work or find a remote job?

Check out our remote work playbooks here.

Thank you 💝

Miriam Mourad, Co-founder of Rolling Remotely!