It starts with a feeling you can’t quite shake—a quiet unease that settles in during the long stretches of working alone or the solitude of a Friday evening spent scrolling through social media. Loneliness has a way of creeping in, subtle yet persistent. For many, it’s become a defining feature of modern life, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted routines and deepened isolation.
But what if the solution to overcoming loneliness isn’t found in the places we’d expect—like therapy or apps—but in something as simple as where we work? What I’ve seen and experienced at Vibe Coworks has given me proof that coworking spaces offer so much more than desks and Wi-Fi. They’re vibrant communities designed to bring people together, offering real connection in a world that often feels anything but.
The Loneliness Epidemic
In recent years, the conversation around loneliness has shifted from a private struggle to a recognized societal challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t just change how we work; it magnified a growing loneliness epidemic that so many have quietly—and increasingly—struggled with for years.
In 2023, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a startling Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community, with alarming research indicating that the mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Murthy noted:
“If we fail to build more connected lives and a more connected society, we will pay an ever-increasing price in the form of our individual and collective health and well-being. Instead of coming together to take on the great challenges before us, we will further retreat to our corners—angry, sick, and alone.”
Murthy’s observations are well founded. As highlighted in a recent piece from The Atlantic, Americans are increasingly living alone, dining solo, and engaging in leisure activities privately. This trend reflects broader cultural changes where individualism often supersedes communal experiences. Paradoxically, this isolation has only deepened our feelings of loneliness and disconnectedness.
At Vibe, we first began discussing the concept of ‘belongfulness’ last year, inspired by the work of Tony Bacigalupo, founder of Manhattan’s first coworking space, and his State of Belonging Report 2023. Specifically, we’ve been exploring how coworking communities like ours can serve as exceptional catalysts for human connection. If there’s one thing we know, it’s that the growing isolation isn’t just a result of the pandemic.
Coworking Communities: Designed for Human Connection
Coworking spaces like Vibe Coworks are uniquely positioned to counteract this phenomenon. Because we offer flexible workspace, meeting rooms, event space and phone booths, coworking spaces are often perceived simply as places to get work done.
In reality, though, coworking spaces like ours foster community, collaboration, and serendipitous connections that are hard to replicate in a home office or even a traditional workplace.
At Vibe, every event and program we host is designed with one goal in mind: to make it easier for people to feel connected, supported, and genuinely part of something bigger than themselves.
Whether through community events, shared spaces that invite conversation, or programs that bring together people from diverse industries and backgrounds, our culture is built around fostering authentic human connections.
We offer both world class workspace in Kitsap, and a place where people feel that they truly belong.
Yes, I’ve been lonely, too.
I care deeply about these things because I’ve experienced the transformative power of community firsthand. When I moved to Hansville in 2022, it was under challenging circumstances. I had been medically dropped from Officer Candidate School for the Marine Corps, a path I had trained and focused on for two years.
The sudden derailment of my plans left me feeling devastated and adrift. Alone in my parents’ empty house while they lived abroad, I found myself isolated with no local connections, family, or friends.
Six months after my move, I discovered a gym nearby and began attending spin classes. It was there that I first heard about Vibe Coworks. A spin instructor mentioned a Facebook post about a job opening at Vibe. I applied, not knowing then how profoundly this opportunity would shape my journey.
When I met Vibe Coworks Founder, Alanna Imbach, we hit it off immediately. While I initially thought this would be a temporary role as I prepared to reapply for the Marine Corps, Vibe became so much more than a job. It became my community.
What I experienced at Vibe isn’t unique to me—it’s the very essence of what strong coworking spaces can and should do.
By blending professional purpose with personal connection, we’re redefining what it means to truly belong.
Through Vibe, I’ve met some of my closest friends in Kitsap, gained mentors, and learned invaluable lessons about business and community engagement. I’ve experienced the magic of all that a coworking space can be: a hub for collaboration, a source of inspiration, and a place where people genuinely care about one another.
It’s why I’ve stayed at Vibe, and why I’m committed to ensuring it remains a space that fosters connection and combats isolation—for everyone.
The Path Forward: Creating More Opportunities for Connection
As we dive into 2025, we’re doubling down on our lineup of connection-focused events, from Waffle Wednesdays and monthly birthday bashes, to quarterly community art exhibitions, and monthly First Friday Happy Hours.
Our goal is to ensure that every person who steps through our doors finds the support they need, whether personally or professionally. Alongside our spin-off organization, Matchstick Lab, we’re also supporting new programs to bridge industries, spark collaborations, and connect people who might never have crossed paths otherwise.
The loneliness epidemic isn’t a challenge we can solve alone. It requires intentional solutions that bring people together. And we’re here for it.
Coworking spaces like Vibe Coworks are uniquely equipped to be part of the answer, creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and connected. Whether you’re looking for a place to focus, network, or simply belong, we’re here to welcome you. Join us.
