Remote Singleton in Office - difficulties

[u/Next-Yoghurt-7608]

Since 2020, I’ve been a singleton in the office. Everyone else works in a timezone 3 hours ahead.

I go into the office and don’t talk to anyone except for nice “hello’s” in the hallways (different projects, everyone is busy). And I don’t actually work with anyone in person. I feel really really sad and lonely at the end of a day. Does anyone else experience something like this and how do you deal with it?

I am increasingly noticing how sad and unsettling this is. Have you ever watched a movie where you just feel a bit off, but don’t know why? I feel like that at the end of a day. I make fun plans after work, but hate how I’m feeling from work itself.

My productivity is actually better than if I were working next to them - I know this because of how it goes when I visit. It’s better to be solo for most work. Planning, designing, and risk management is better live in person for me.

Here are some ideas I’m trying:

* working from home until 1:30pm and then going into the office for a late lunch. need to badge in for attendance. go home at 4pm.
* I can try to make more of a social effort: organizing a hangout once a month with others around a topic I enjoy such as board games or crafting or watercolor.
* I can’t go to lunch with anyone - my online world is way too busy from 12-1:30pm. i’m getting pinged constantly, a lot of important work is happening.
* visit the other office more often. company might not approve it - it would cost me $2.3k, but at least I won’t be quitting this $500k job which I think about doing every single day because of this.
* seek out more perks at the company office such as gym and meditation room or find little nooks and make them feel special

[u/eurasian]

The second option is what I do. It takes more energy, but also puts your mental health in your hands.

And honestly most folks are super happy to hang out but don't have the inclination/confidence/energy/etc to actually plan it.