I am an introvert, so I really don’t mind working alone. It’s just me, sitting at my computer, with minimal distractions. No beeping coming from the office fax machine. No phones ringing (my husband and I ditched the landline in 2010, and I can silence my cell phone any time I want to). And, most importantly, no coworkers having a conversation near my workspace. The only distractions I usually deal with come from outside my window.

I would imagine, however, that an extrovert would go crazy doing what I do. From what I understand, extroverts thrive on the company of other people. (Do they? I have never been one, so I am not certain.)

If I had to give advice to an extrovert who freelanced alone from home, my top piece of advice would be the following: Join at least one professional organization.

This is the best way to avoid isolation. I am a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) and American Copy Editors Society (ACES), and I credit these two organizations for helping me meet other editors, interact with them, and exchange tips, advice, and encouragement with them. I have met many independent editors through Zoom webinars, and a lot of them I have never seen, but I interact with them in discussion forums.

The bonus? Finally meeting these editors in person at an organizational conference. I did this two years ago at EFACON in Alexandria, Virginia.

Another tidbit of advice that I would give a freelancing extrovert is to take a break when it’s appropriate. Do something during that break where you interact with others. Write an email to a friend. Call an elderly relative. Just don’t take a break for too long, or you will not stay motivated in your work. Staying motivated will be my next post.

If you feel isolated while working from home alone, what do you do to combat that feeling?