In a world increasingly untethered from the office, where do we find connection? 

It's a question that's been fundamentally reshaping our social landscape, with the decoupling of work from place. Despite recent media announcements of a return to office (RTO) trend, flexible work is still prevalent in the United States, with 67% of companies offering some location flexibility, according to a recent Flex Index report. 

This newfound freedom allows us to define and prioritise what truly matters, rather than letting circumstances dictate how and where we spend our days. It's no longer about cramming all of life's richness into after-work hours and precious vacation days. Now, we can orchestrate our daily rhythms around personal preference—choosing our location, our company, and our schedule with the same intentionality as crafting a perfect playlist, each hour tuned to our natural ebbs and flows of energy and inspiration.

Even within the constraints of a hybrid model, those 2-3 days working from "home" offer a powerful opportunity to reclaim ownership of your time and redefine what's possible. This flexibility extends far beyond just where we work. It's about fundamentally changing how we live and connect, giving us the agency to design a life that truly reflects our values and priorities. At the end of the day, more flexibility equals more choice in how — and with whom — you spend your time. 

As we look toward Thanksgiving gatherings and shared tables here in the United States, we want to highlight the importance of gathering, community and connection in light of the cultural shifts we’re seeing and experiencing in this age of remote work. 

Now, to do that, we could explore organizational strategies from our book Remote Works, like Collaboration Kickoffs and team development. We could emphasize the importance of company offsites in building team relationships and corporate connections, or we could revisit the well-worn territory of virtual happy hours and online team building. Instead, we’re going to focus on something else that truly matters: you and your daily interactions. 

The key, Parker argues — and we agree — is intentionality. It's about creating a space, whether physical or virtual, where people can truly connect and engage with one another. And in a society grappling with a loneliness epidemic, this intentional gathering has never been more crucial.

Intention as the heart of gathering

So what exactly constitutes a "gathering" in this new era of remote work and flexible schedules? Priya Parker, in her book The Art of Gathering, reminds us that gatherings can be big or small, formal or informal, planned or spontaneous. A gathering can be a Thanksgiving feast with extended family, an in-person lunch break with a friend living or working nearby, or even a shared online workspace where colleagues connect and collaborate. The key, Parker argues — and we agree — is intentionality. It's about creating a space, whether physical or virtual, where people can truly connect and engage with one another. And in a society grappling with a loneliness epidemic, this intentional gathering has never been more crucial. It's not that remote workers are inherently more lonely than others; it's that many of us are so out of practice that we've forgotten what it’s like to truly gather with others in this context, how to be present with one another, and how to cultivate meaningful connections beyond the typically transactional relationships of the workplace.

Ready to start leaning into community? Here are some actions you can take in the next few days, weeks, and years. 

Start small: 

Remote work offers a unique opportunity to reimagine how we gather, and it starts with the smallest of interactions. Think micro-gatherings: those impromptu coffee breaks that break up the workday, the mini-excursions that get you out of the house and into your community, the new "water cooler" moments that emerge organically in shared workspaces or online forums. 

1. Establish new daily rituals

When Ali was visiting friends in Philadelphia, she tagged along on their morning ritual. All working from home, they had a short walk to a local coffee shop enjoying a short chat before heading in different directions to get started on their workdays.

Other examples could be instituting a weekly lunch date with a rotating cast of characters, or carving out time for a social workout, whether in a class or with a running or hiking group.

2. Try a coworking space 

Community-oriented coworking spaces offer the chance to connect with like-minded individuals. When choosing a space, look for ones that foster community through events like lunch-and-learns, guest speakers, member lunches, or happy hours. If such a space doesn't exist in your town, consider creating your own! For example, Ali hosts a weekly coworking meetup at a local bakery.

Dream bigger: 

Building on the small habits, it is also worthwhile to create space for interactions at a deeper level, balancing demands of daily life with quality time with friends and family. This is especially relevant for those who are now juggling the demands of raising young children while also increasingly providing support for their ageing parents. Remote work can provide the flexibility to manage these competing responsibilities. 

Instead of defaulting to happy hour with coworkers, try building community around shared interests, whether through volunteering, joining a local dog-walking group, or joining a sports league.

3. Build a local community with shared interests

Instead of defaulting to happy hour with coworkers, try building community around shared interests, whether through volunteering, joining a local dog-walking group, or joining a sports league. We recently met a man who, after quitting a full-time office job, now works from home and invests the extra time he used to spend commuting in coaching a local rugby team.

4. Spend quality time with your important people

Tamara recently spent the summer in Dallas helping her mother while she was in the ICU. Even though she lives in Boston, she was able to take her work with her, carving out time to care for her family without missing her work deadlines. This type of experience is shared by others. For example, Care.com’s "The Modern Workplace Report" found that 73% of remote workers spend more time with their kids, and 70% spend more time with their partners. Likewise, a BairesDev's remote work study found that 91% of respondents agree that remote work contributes to a family's well-being.

Go global: 

The reimagining of gathering doesn't stop at coffee dates and co-working spaces. Remote work has unlocked a new level of macro-gathering, one that transcends geographical limitations and redefines the very concept of community. 

These trips allow you to reconnect with the joys of life and expand your horizons by meeting new people and experiencing different cultures, while keeping your work life on track.

With the increase of digital nomadism, consider these opportunities to gather:

5. Take a workation

Tamara’s aunt and uncle, officially empty nesters, sold their house and embarked on a summer-long adventure across Eastern Europe. They enjoyed it so much they’re already planning a number of "workation" trips—trips where you blend work and leisure in a way that fosters both productivity and fun. These trips allow you to reconnect with the joys of life and expand your horizons by meeting new people and experiencing different cultures, while keeping  your work life on track.

6. Join a digital nomad community

Co-living spaces are no longer just for 20-somethings with backpacks and laptops; professionals of all ages are discovering how this model merges the privacy of their own living space with co-working and communal activities. In fact, according to a study by MBO partners almost one in seven (14%) of American digital nomads are 55 or older. Co-living spaces are popping up around the world, catering to a diverse demographic who are embracing a location-independent lifestyle. Ali hosted a multigenerational coliving space in 2021, with guests ranging from a family with a toddler to a partially retired consultant with grown children of his own. These days there are companies like Boundless Life and Facebook groups such as “Senior Nomads” that are specifically sharing experiences for families or older adults seeking adventure and connection.

These global-gatherings represent a bold reimagining of how we live and work, a testament to the power of remote work to create community and connection on a global scale.

Putting it all together:

So, how will you embrace the gathering revolution? Here's a little "recap and recommit" to get you started:

• One thing I'll do next week to connect more meaningfully: _______________________________ (Maybe it's that coffee date you've been putting off, or finally joining - or starting?! - a local book club.)
• One gathering goal I'll achieve by the end of the year: _______________________________ (Perhaps it's hosting a potluck dinner or planning a weekend trip with friends.)
• My big, audacious gathering dream for 2025: _______________________________ (Could it be joining a co-living space in Bali or finally organizing that family or friend reunion you've always talked about?)

Remote work has given us the gift of time and flexibility. Now, it's up to us to use it wisely and lean into the opportunities it presents. Let's gather intentionally, connect authentically, and build communities that nourish our souls and remind us, especially in this digital age, of the deep value of nurturing human connection.