Being a freelancer is wonderful. The flexible schedule, working from home, more vacation, being your own boss, and running your own business all make freelancing a great way to earn a living. But while being on your own boss has its perks, sometimes it can feel isolating and lonely. But luckily, as more and more of us turn to freelancing, more opportunities for mingling with other self-employed workers are popping up.

Freelancing and the Gig Economy: An Office of One

The so-called “gig economy” is growing in all sectors of the economy. It’s expected that by 2020, 40 percent of all workers will be independently employed. Today workers value flexibility even more than security or income. Plus, it’s easier for companies to hire independent contractors than it is employees. And as a result, no matter your career, you’re more likely than ever to be doing it from home. While the peace and quiet of a home office (or kitchen table), depending on where you call home, is certainly appealing, it can get lonesome. Working from home can make you feel isolated and if you’re not careful, you may fall short on social interaction.

Not to mention that creativity is often born out of community. In other words, often, our best ideas come when we’re brainstorming with others. Research published in Creativity Research Journal found that surrounding yourself with interesting people can boost creativity. The study also found that broadening your knowledge of other subjects could also increase your creativity and productivity. Changing your perspective by exploring outside of your home office is also helpful.

Want to find community as a freelancer? Here are some tips:

1. Join a co-work space.

These are all the rage for those that work from home. Co-working spaces are turning up in cities across the country. These basic offices supply start-ups and independent employees alike with WiFi, outlets, and all the basics that you need in a workspace. The rent is usually minimal, but it allows the freelancers of the world to have an office space to call home. You can interact as much or as little as you like. Feel the vibe of your city’s entrepreneurial spirit by joining a co-working space.

2. Join applicable associations.

Are you a blogger who’s tired of plugging away all day long by yourself? No worries, you’re not alone in this growing industry. Meet your virtual colleagues by joining an association. The International Bloggers’ Association is an obvious choice for bloggers but other, more local networking opportunities are also available. Attending meetings and conferences isn’t just good for socializing and chatting with like-minded individuals, it can motivate and boost your creative spirit. No matter your industry, make an effort to meet your colleagues far and wide.

3. Interview your mentors.

As a freelance writer, one of the best ways to stay social is to interview people. Reporting is almost always better than online research and it gives you an opportunity to meet new people. Even if you’re not a writer, you can still reach out to those that have been in your field longer and learn from them. Take a cue from producer Brian Grazer and start your own curiosity interviews with people you admire.

4. Travel, travel, travel.

Freelancers have a unique opportunity when it comes to vacation. They make their own! Take your company on the road. Research published in the Academy of Management Journal has shown that seeing new places is really good for keeping your brain working efficiently. New atmospheres can boost creativity and being around different people can help you think in new and different ways. Not to mention that there’s no better way to understand the world that you live in than by seeing it firsthand. And you can also meet up with your colleagues abroad. If you’re a travel writer, for example, you can meet up with other travel writers worldwide and get ideas.

5. Regular a coffee shop.

Coffee shops are the ultimate community workspaces. Your colleagues don’t always have to be in your industry. In fact, getting to know regulars at a coffee shop can make you feel like you’re part of a community. It’s especially helpful in the morning if your partner or spouse goes to an office. Leaving for your local coffee shop can make you feel like you’re on a schedule, which can keep your productivity up.

Are you a freelancer that’s yearning for some community? Drop us a line via Twitter @EcoSalon.

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Should more of us be working from home? Probably.

For those of us who don’t work at home, the chance to email in your pajamas may seem tempting, but as anyone working from home will tell you, that’s not what it’s all about. In fact, many people, whether in their pajamas or not, find that working at home makes them more productive. There are of course obstacles – like that pile of dishes you feel like you should get to – but ultimately, there are many benefits to working from home, and not just for personal reasons.

From environmental to economic, there is a long list of benefits to working from home, and in a day and age where more companies and jobs aren’t restricted by having to have a physical presence, a lot of us are in positions where working remotely could be an option. So why don’t more companies get behind having their employees work at home? Because there is an idea that to gauge productivity you have to see it taking place – an idea that if we are going to transform how we work, may need to change. “If managers would just establish goals, rhythms of communication and metrics, than they would actually know whether someone was being productive or not, regardless of where the person was physically sitting,” Kevin Kruse wrote in Forbes.

That policy goes for the self-employed worker as well; if you don’t set up goals, metrics and methods for being productive, then an entire day can easily go to waste. But the reason people are committed to setting up processes that keep them productive is that the benefits to working from home are many. That doesn’t mean that you should drop everything and telecommute all the time – working from home comes with the good and the bad  – but if we think about the environment, economics and time management, there is certainly an argument to be made for allowing people to work from home, at least part of the time.

1. It’s good for the environment

That hour and a half traffic jam that you sat in this morning? Imagine if 10 percent of the commuters on a daily basis started telecommuting instead. What if it was 20 percent? What if it was 50 percent? There are certain jobs that require a physical presence, but there are many jobs that can easily be done remotely. Some argue that the environmental benefits aren’t always clean cut – there are a lot of factors like how energy efficient your home is compared to your office – but one thing is for sure: less time spent in a car commuting is a good thing, both for you and the environment.

2. There are no geographic boundaries for talent

Fostering a culture that allows people to be working from home allows employers to not be limited by geography. If top talent is on the other side of the country, if the employer is able to set up an efficient and productive way for employees to work remotely, there’s nothing stopping them from hiring someone who is based elsewhere.

3. The office is not always a space of productivity

As author, speaker and digital guru Paul Boag says, “phone calls, meetings, colleagues, noise and other distractions make the office a far worse place to focus than home.” Just because you’re in the same space as your colleagues doesn’t mean that you’re getting things done. Many people need a quite space to be productive, and working at home allows you to get rid of the normal distractions linked to a traditional office environment.

4. You can get the benefits of co-working

The beauty of working from home? It makes you flexible to take advantage of co-working opportunities and shared workspaces. Because let’s be honest, sometimes you want to get out of your house and be in an office environment. But a co-working space is different than being stuck to the same office day in and day out. The flexibility to take advantage of a variety of shared spaces whenever you want to allows you to meet new people and decide when and where you want your office environment.

5. A few days at home are better than none

Even just a few days a week of working at home can be a good thing, both for the employer and the employee. “More research needs to be done on creative work and teamwork, but the evidence still suggests that with most jobs, a good rule of thumb is to let employees have one to two days a week at home. It’s hugely beneficial to their well-being, helps you attract talent, and lowers attrition,” says Stanford Professor of Economics Nicholas Bloom.

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