Why working from home is quietly eroding mental health — and what real community looks like
The theme is community in this Mental Health Awareness Week (13–19 May 2024). And that word feels more critical — and more misunderstood — than ever.
Because while we’re more digitally connected than ever, many of us feel profoundly disconnected.
I’ve worked from home for years — long before the pandemic made it standard. And while the flexibility and focus have their perks, there’s a truth I can’t ignore anymore:
Working from home can quietly wreck your mental health.
You deliver. You show up to meetings. You reply to every message.
But behind the screen? You’re slipping.
And it doesn’t just feel that way — there’s research to back it up.
📊 A recent US survey revealed that men in particular are facing a growing friendship crisis, with many reporting they have no close friends at all.
Women are facing it too — but we’ve become experts at hiding it behind performance, polish, and professionalism.
The Hidden Burnout of Remote Work
We used to call it “the dream”:
No commute. More control. Better work-life balance.
But the longer you work from home, the easier it is to become invisible.
Not just to others — but to yourself.
The camera stays off.
The messages get shorter.
The moments of celebration feel empty because there’s no one to share them with.
You’re surrounded — but not supported.
And the longer it goes on, the harder it becomes to reach out. Because high-functioning people don’t often get checked on.
We’re “fine.”
Until we’re not.
“Like-Minded” Isn’t Enough Anymore
This really hit me at the Enlightened Warrior Training Camp in Spain — an experience that cracked me wide open.
Led by Robert Raymond Riopel, one line he shared has stuck with me:
“It’s not enough to surround yourself with like-minded people. You need to surround yourself with growth-minded people.”
That was it.
Because we’re all in WhatsApp groups.
We’re all in Teams channels.
We’re “connected.”
But what most of us are missing is true community — people who don’t just cheer you on but challenge you, stretch you, and hold space for you when you can’t hold yourself.
At Warrior Camp, I was part of a tribe called Light Force. And in that space, I felt something rare:
Seen. Heard. Held.
We looked each other in the eye and said:
“I see the beauty in you.”
Not as a gesture. As a truth.
We shared what we’d never said out loud.
We gave — and received — 20+ hugs a night.
And we remembered who we were beneath the stress, the pressure, the performance.
Working From Home Doesn’t Just Drain Your Energy — It Chips Away at Your Identity
There was a point — during a particularly intense season of remote work — when I realised I’d stopped looking forward to anything.
I wasn’t overwhelmed.
I wasn’t depressed.
I was just… flat.
Detached from joy.
Disconnected from myself.
The days were efficient, productive, even successful on paper — but hollow in reality.
When you’re alone long enough, with no one reflecting back your energy, it’s easy to forget who you are beyond your output.
And that’s what too many of us have accepted as normal.
That’s why, this Mental Health Awareness Week, I’m not just asking how you’re managing your stress.
I’m asking:
Who are you doing this with?
Because it’s not about being “included” in a calendar invite.
It’s about being anchored in something — in someone — who reminds you that you’re more than your to-do list.
That’s not just mental health.
That’s belonging.
P.S.
If you’re working from home, performing at your peak, and wondering why you still feel hollow — I see you.
You’re not broken. You’re just overdue for real connection.
Find your tribe. Not just like-minded people — growth-minded ones.
Mike Lawrence: Your Guide to Health & Wellbeing
I’m Mike Lawrence, a passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing. After overcoming significant health challenges, including brain surgery, I’ve dedicated myself to a journey of self-improvement and helping others thrive. From heart-pounding skydives for charity to soul-enriching travels in Thailand, my experiences have shaped my approach to holistic health.
I love sharing the lessons I’ve learned from these adventures and the powerful audiobooks I devour. Let’s explore the paths to better mental and physical health together. Embrace life’s adventures with enthusiasm and resilience, and remember—you’re never alone on this journey!
Feel free to email me at hello@mikelawrence.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn. For more in-depth insights and inspiring stories, read my latest blogs here. Together, let’s create a healthier, happier future!
