Ways to Meet People When You Work from Home

The workplace was once a popular spot for making connections, both platonic and romantic. With fewer people working outside of the home or going out at all, it can be tough to find people to date. Tough, but not impossible.

If you're looking for love but aren't out and about as much as you used to be, here are some strategies for you.

Meet the old-fashioned way, more or less

Dating apps may have taken the spotlight in recent years, but friends continue to play a pivotal role in the courting process.

You look to your friends when you need help setting up a dating profile, and again to examine every possible candidate for a date. If you trust them for that, ask them to introduce you to some worthy partners they might know.

Or how about inviting a group of friends to an online party—a virtual game night or happy hour. Ask each of them to invite an unattached friend that the rest of the group doesn't know, and keep it fun with interactive games such as charades and other guessing games, or "never have I ever." If you meet someone you're interested in, reach out to them afterward on social media via your mutual friend. You'll have the party to talk about as you both break the ice and find other topics you have in common.

Go out and talk to people—socially distanced, of course

Even if you're avoiding indoor gatherings right now, you have plenty of opportunities to meet people where you live. Strike up a conversation at a farmer's market or sign up for a socially distanced outdoor exercise class.

Everyone is tired of being cooped up at home, and people are finding more creative ways to socially interact. Search online and in your community for distanced or outdoor activities where you can meet new people with similar interests and values.

Consider an in-person or online side hustle

Meeting potential dates in your primary career can be tricky for a variety of reasons, and you've surely heard warnings about the dangers of workplace romance.

Instead of taking the risk of complicating your professional reputation, think about putting your free time to productive use. If you don't already have hobbies that connect you with others, a side job (volunteer or freelance) can quickly connect you with a network of new people.

Take an e-learning course or join a group that does something you're passionate about. Local government, animal shelters, food pantries, community gardens and charitable organizations always need volunteers. Why not you?

And if you've always loved writing or photography, perhaps you can start a freelance business and connect with others on social media who are in the same field.

Meeting through your side job or volunteer work takes the pressure off when trying to make new connections—if situations don't go perfectly, your career won't crash and burn.

Be proactive

Meeting new people takes extra effort once you've settled into your life as an adult, and even more if you spend a lot of your time at home.

If you haven't magically run into the person of your dreams yet, you may need to start taking a more proactive approach to dating. Yes, dating sites are one option, but they're not the only way to discover rewarding relationships. Chances are, plenty of exciting individuals are just a degree or two of separation away.

Reaching out to your friends, engaging with your community, and tapping into your passions and interests can unlock doors you didn't see before. And it's a journey that can be a lot of fun as well.