Feeling the Winter Blues While Working Remote? You’re Not Alone.
When I started working at HubSpot right after covid, the 100% remote lifestyle seemed like a dream. The comp was equivalent to what I made traveling 4 days/week every week without having to leave my home office. I was leading a team effectively without flying all over the place. My dog was my best friend again. No traffic, yoga pants were perfectly acceptable, and I felt total focus and productivity daily.
But about a year in, it hit me one day around 6pm that I hadn’t seen a human in person in a few days, phone calls felt like intrusions and my dog was giving me the judgy side-eyes. I connected that to my recent gloom that I had attributed to the winter blues and realized being remote isn’t as great as I thought.
The Sneaky Toll of Isolation
There’s a reason being stuck in our heads all day feels exhausting—because it is. Studies show that isolation can increase the risk of depression by a whopping 40%. That’s not just a bummer; it’s a legit health concern.
When you’re working solo day after day, you miss out on the small but powerful interactions that lift your mood. A quick laugh over coffee, brainstorming with a coworker, or even just saying hi to someone in the hallway—it all adds up to a sense of connection that remote work can’t deliver.
Humans Aren’t Meant to Be Islands
We’re wired for connection. That’s why being part of a community doesn’t just make us happier—it actually makes us healthier. Ever notice how good it feels to bounce ideas off someone or share a small win with people who get it? There’s science behind that warm-and-fuzzy feeling. Connection lowers stress, boosts creativity, and reminds us that we’re not in this alone.
The Coworking Answer (Spoiler: It’s Move Leesburg)
Enter coworking: the perfect middle ground between the freedom of working remotely and the energy of being around people. Picture this:
Instead of talking to your dog about your to-do list, you’re chatting with other creators and professionals who inspire you. (It’s ok. I talk to Titan, too.)
Instead of a dark corner of your kitchen, you’re working in a beautiful space designed to energize you.
Instead of feeling like an island, you’re part of a thriving community that lifts each other up.
And instead of sitting in 1 position all day in hyperfocus mode, take a break for a 30 minute energizing workshop on topics like Overcoming Imposter Syndrome or Starting Your Own Business 101.
So, here’s the deal: You can catch the gloomies before they set in by staying engaged in community. You don’t have to choose between flexibility and connection. Swing by MOVE - even just a day or two per week, and let’s show you how good it feels to work alongside your new favorite people.
Your dog will understand, I promise.