In Thriving Away from Home, Ken Walters, Strategy Lead at Rooost, explores essential strategies for professionals working far from home. His guidance delves into building supportive networks, managing loneliness, and balancing relationships, all crucial for contractors and remote workers seeking a fulfilling experience in temporary environments.

Building a Supportive Network
Connecting with colleagues and local communities can significantly improve well-being and job satisfaction. Ken recommends proactively connecting with fellow workers through shared activities such as meals, group projects, and informal gatherings. By fostering relationships in and outside work, contractors build a sense of belonging that eases the feeling of detachment from familiar surroundings.

Additionally, getting involved in local events or community organisations can offer a refreshing change of pace and an opportunity to integrate with the surrounding culture. Whether joining a local sports league, attending social events, or simply exploring local gatherings, these experiences provide valuable mental and emotional support, creating an enjoyable and balanced life beyond work.

Navigating Loneliness: A Common Challenge
Loneliness is a frequent struggle for professionals in unfamiliar settings. Ken suggests that individuals take small yet meaningful steps to engage in new environments. Initiatives like joining clubs or groups related to personal interests can make a significant difference. These interactions help mitigate isolation, balancing the often transient nature of contract work.

Connecting with others in a new place fosters a sense of community and creates more enjoyable experiences that reduce the mental fatigue associated with prolonged separations from loved ones. Ken emphasises that developing local friendships can also be an emotional anchor, providing familiarity and a supportive network.

Maintaining Relationships: A Balancing Act
While new relationships are essential, maintaining close connections with family and friends remains a priority. Ken stresses the importance of frequent video calls, check-ins, or occasional visits. Setting routines around these connections ensures that professionals maintain a consistent presence in their loved ones’ lives, reinforcing mutual support and encouragement from afar.
Balancing old and new relationships is challenging, but it enriches the experience of working away from home. Individuals have a sense of grounding by keeping connected to familiar ties, while the relationships they develop locally help them stay connected to the present, creating a healthy and dynamic support system.

Insights from Thriving Away from Home
Ken Walters’s Thriving Away from Home is a practical guide for contractors and remote professionals navigating the complexities of working in temporary settings. The book offers valuable strategies to strengthen personal and professional lives, helping individuals foster an inclusive community, combat isolation, and nurture connections supporting well-being.

For more on nurturing well-being in temporary work environments, find Thriving Away from Home by Ken Walters on Amazon.