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No matter how motivated you are about your home business, it can still be a lonely endeavor.  Even with all the family around ALL the time (we homeschool), there are times when I wish for some time all to myself.  Even in a crowd, we can become isolated.

Solutions to this isolation are simple - phone, email, going out to lunch - but you have to make yourself do these things. Here are some ideas on how to battle isolation:

1. Run errands.  Get out of the house sometime during the week and make yourself run errands.  It may be just what you need.
2. Attend business events.  Take time to attend a Chamber of Commerce event (even if you are not a member), check your local paper/websites for business mixers, networking groups, etc.  Besides the opportunities to socialize, who knows what contacts you might make at these events.
3. Improve your skills.  Check out your community college for classes that you’ve been wanting to take, or classes that would benefit your business.  Your fellow students might become lasting friends and you might even look forward to the studying again and improve something in your business.
4. Take classes for fun.  Is there something that you always wanted to learn how to do?  How about a class on a foreign language?  Cooking?  Photography?  Sewing?  Take a class just for you!!
5. Go out to lunch.  You have to eat, so why not meet a friend once a week or every two weeks for a nice little lunch?  It will get you out of the house/office.  Or grab a good magazine, find a lunch spot, and spend an hour of enjoyment!
6. Join a volunteer organization.  Have you found that with your business you don’t have much time to give to others?  Find somewhere in your community to volunteer and help someone else.

But - you say - I have children that I can’t leave, so I NEVER get time to myself.

Believe me, if you have younger children, I know exactly how you feel.  But you can STILL make some time for yourself with a little planning.

1. Find someone in the same boat as you - with younger ones - that might enjoy some time for themselves too and exchange babysitting time.  One day, you take your child/children to her house for an hour or two.  Then, maybe the next week, she brings her child/children over to you.  Not only do you and your “buddy” get time to yourselves, your children will also develop friendships and learn valuable social skills.
2. Find a teenager who would like a little extra money and hire them to come over and give you time for a leisurely bath, a little creative time, or some nap time.
3. Talk your spouse into bathing the children at night and putting them to bed once in a while so you can have some time to yourself.

No matter what your situation, there is no excuse to be so isolated just because you work at home.  Remember, all work and no play makes JANE a dull girl!