There’s no doubt that there’s a liberating aspect to being your own boss, of getting out of the traditional race through employment, as you also have more say over what you do with the fruits of your labour, not to mention the potential for real wealth building. That said, business owners and the self-employed can experience loneliness as well, which is a rising player in the depression that’s increasing in the modern age, accelerated by the pandemic. Here are a few ways you can fight it.

Make sure you’re connected

Social media is no replacement for real-life contact, there’s no doubt about that. However, it can certainly help those who build a network and get involved in conversations with their peers. You can feel more connected to your own community and foster the opportunity for real-life meetups as well.

Keep expanding your network

Networking might not be intended to help fight the isolation that can be common to those who work independently, but there’s no denying that it can help to build professional connections, as these can eventually blossom into partnerships and even friendships over time. There are business networking sites you can use to find networking events that allow you to get to meet other people in your shoes, start working and sharing ideas collaboratively and find the peer group better suited to your new life.

Share a workspace

One of the increasing causes of isolation in modern business and working life is the decrease in the use of shared office space. Working around people can be good for your mental health, which is why a lot of people tend to take their work to coffee shops and cafes. However, there are spaces that are much better suited to the needs of the worker than these, especially since these public spaces can be unsafe in terms of digital security. You can find a coworking space that offers a comfortable, secure space to work, with as much privacy as you need. It can also give you the opportunity to be surrounded by the sounds of others at work, and even access to a little socializing with other users of the space.

Find a mentor

Good employers help their employees succeed, and good entrepreneurs share their wisdom with those that are up-and-coming behind them. Finding a mentor isn’t always easy, and it can require going to those online marketing events, being active on social media where business expertise tends to gather and making yourself available. Not only can you start building supportive relationships that can certainly help you get through some rocky parts of starting and running a business, but you can learn a lot of things that normally take time, and the occasional mistake, for many others to learn.

Addressing loneliness is truly important, and hopefully, the tips above show you a few ways to do that while creating a connected, engaging work life. Otherwise, it can easy to sink into the isolation that makes many entrepreneurs’ successes less enjoyable.