[jchw]

I'm pretty lonely too, but I have two problems:

1. I don't feel like I have enough energy to do things after work, and I find myself unable to socialize for long periods of time.

2. My friends, or at least friends I know in the real world, are running into number 1, and often have different work schedules anyways.

Modern society feels isolating. When I try to be social, I find many people are disinterested. I myself hardly have any energy to be social even though I feel like it would be good for me. Perhaps general health has something to do with this too, but it sure isn't convenient.

[dasmoth]

I think the obsession of many modern workplaces with “team stuff” is making things pretty hard for some introverts. If I could work (truly —- i.e. no interruptions at all unlesss something’s on fire) solo for a couple of days a week, I suspect I’d be a whole lot more sociable in the evenings...

[jchw]

Open office designs kill me worse than teamwork. It feels like I'm being bombarded with senses that I have to tune out to be productive but can only do that for a portion of the time.

[cpfohl]

No work from home option for you? Can't take Tuesday Thursday to get stuff done?

[dasmoth]

I do to an extent, and certainly appreciate it!

But it’s hard to disconnect completely when everyone else is at work. Having a corporate chat system doesn’t help in this regard, but even without that the interruptions come.

A couple of times last year I ended up doing a fullish day of work at the weekend for some or other urgent project. Now that I find amazingly productive, going on outright invigorating. Not something I really want to make a habit of though (family, plus no shortage of ideas for side projects).

I do dream of true team-of-one jobs...

[cpfohl]

1. Right, that's why we started it with dinner at first. It was pretty much always grilling something or heading out for chicken wings... 2. A wide catchment is key here. It's not just one or two people to start with, it's an open invite to everyone for a time boxed meal, drink or irritating party game.

It's exhausting at first. Kind of like working out.

[afarrell]

Some friends of mine in Boston used to (might still) hold regular "Monday night in" where friends would come by the house and sit on the couches and read, occasionally talking quietly.

[blaster151]

That sounds like a social event that I wouldn't dread. :)