The Hidden Cost of Working from Home

According to a recent Gallop poll, 62% of professionals enjoy the freedom of remote work, either full-time or at least a hybrid schedule. 

And let’s be clear, the flexibility is amazing.
No commute? Yes, please.
More control over your environment? Incredible.
But here’s what no one really warned you about:

The silence.
The absence of hallway conversations, casual check-ins, or office laughter.
The long stretches of productivity that start to feel like invisibility.

If you’ve ever looked up from your laptop and realized you haven’t spoken to anyone all day, or if your professional achievements feel like they happened in a vacuum…

You are not the only one.

Science + Reality: We’re Wired for Connection

While many enjoy the flexibility, feelings of isolation, disengagement, and invisible burnout are on the rise.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, people who feel isolated at work report:

• Higher stress levels

• Lower motivation and engagement

• Reduced sense of professional worth

But if you feel lonely sometimes, know this:

You’re not making it up.
You're not just being sensitive.
👉 This matters.

When stress hits or you fear the appearance of lacking productivity, your brain naturally wants to protect you, often by withdrawing. It’s a biological form of self-preservation.

But isolation increases the risk of burnout, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.

In contrast, connection builds resilience.

Even brief moments of meaningful interaction can regulate your nervous system, improve clarity, and replenish depleted energy.

You don’t need a huge network. You just need your people.

From My Side of the Desk:

I first discovered both the power and the drawbacks of remote work in 2008 before "remote work" was a thing. 

I had just been laid off work, and decided to devote my newfound freedom to finishing my dissertation. I spent hours, days, months, writing from my home office with nothing but a computer and looming deadlines if I wanted to finish before the next quarter.

I wasn’t trying to shut people out intentionally, I was just stressed out and slipped into solitude… and never realized how deep I’d gone until it was too late.

Graduation came. A major milestone. 
But the huge celebration I had envisioned for years didn't happen.

I was alone. No celebration. No one to share it with. Sure, I called all my family and the few friends I had left. But honestly? That took less than an hour. 

I had shut people out for so long that I didn't know how to let people back in, and they didn't know how to get back in.

And I realized something that still rings true today:

When you're working alone, connection isn't convenient. It's essential.

I learned the hard way: when the going gets tough, connection is the last thing you should give up.

Tool of the Week: POC Reset™

So this week, let’s treat staying connected like your reset moment, not just after the fact, but during the pressure. Here’s the simple 3‑step you can use this week:

➞ Pause – Notice when your thoughts start spiraling:

“No one cares what I’m doing.”
“I’m the only one keeping this team afloat.”
“Why even speak up if no one sees me?”

Pause. Take a deep breath. Recognize the loneliness beneath the story.

➞ Orient – Check what’s really going on: 

 Ask yourself:

• Who have I not talked to lately that used to bring me energy?

• What space (online or off) lets me feel heard, not just busy?

• Am I giving myself the same attention I give everyone else?
  

➞ Choose – Decide how you’ll engage. 

 Choose one moment of meaningful connection today.

• Drop a note in the community.

• Text a friend.

• Send a voice message instead of another email. 

✔️ Show up awkward.
✔️ Show up late.
✔️ Show up unsure.
But please… show up.

Real-Time, Life Lesson from This Week

After reflecting on my 2008 mistakes, this week I finally opened up the private Motivation for Life community (🎉yay, it’s live!). But, I promised myself I’d do it differently.

Am I writing and working long hours in my home office alone? Yes.

But, no more disappearing until everything is “ready.”

No more hiding in the hard parts.

This time, I’m building in the open. With you.

The FREE Motivation for Life Insider Community is live!

I created the Motivation for Life Insider Community as a free resource to help people stay connected to other like-minded people in a judgement free zone. Work is hard. But you don't have to do it alone.

You’ll find encouragement, check-ins, thoughtful posts, and a quiet place to be real, especially on the hard days. 

It's not perfect. But it's a start. 

I created it for people like us.

People who are wise enough to keep going… and honest enough to say it’s hard sometimes.

👉 Come join the community here.

We'd love to hear from you!  And it's FREE! Bring your friends!

📌 One More Thought Before You Go:

You can love working from home and still long for connection. 

It doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human. 

And even if you still commute to the office, you can be surrounded by people all day long and still feel lonely if those aren't 'your people'. Feel free to join, too! We love having a diverse group of people who bring different insights and perspectives to everyday challenges. 

Always remind yourself: “I am worthy of connection, even when I work alone.”