Ever opened your laptop and thought: “Why does this feel so hard and so lonely?”
You’re not imagining it.
We recently asked our LinkedIn community:
“How hard is it to build relationships when working remotely?”
👉 78% said Moderately or Extremely challenging.
But the comments told us everything: “It’s harder than I thought. I didn’t expect to feel this disconnected.”
In Medical Affairs, where your role is built on connection, but executed in isolation, loneliness sneaks in fast. Especially when you’re:
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Job searching with no feedback
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Traveling solo every week
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Showing up on Zoom to black boxes
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Trying to be visible in a system that feels silent
Here are several tools and resources to help you combat that loneliness, whether you’re just starting out or deep in the field..
MSL Talk Podcast: "It Can be Lonely in the Life of an MSL"
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🎧 Combating Loneliness Tips For Your Ears:
MSL Talk Podcast #247, with Patricia Gorecki, Director of Scientific Engagement
→ This one’s for the solo warriors in the field. Patricia gets real about the isolation of being an MSL and how to build resilience from the inside out.
Here are Tom’s top takeaways that didn’t make the final cut:
- Confidence is a routine, not a gift
- Internal networking changes everything
- Gamify your goals, make them yours
- Surround yourself with people who believe in you
Tune in to episode #247 with Patricia Gorecki.
Featured Blog Post: "Here's Why Your Virtual Presentations Fail"
💡 The Most Underrated Way to Beat Loneliness
You showed up to the meeting. But something still feels off? It's probably because no one is really present.
One of the most overlooked ways to combat loneliness? Be fully present with the people in front of you.
Here are 3 quick ways to bring more mindfulness into your meetings:
1️⃣ Ditch distractions
Close the email tab. Silence the phone. Give people the gift of your full attention.
2️⃣ Make meetings shorter
Respect attention spans. You’ll get more done—and connect better doing it.
3️⃣ Train your brain
Meditation builds your focus muscle. The more you practice coming back to the present, the easier it gets.
Being present builds trust. Trust builds connection. Connection fights loneliness.
It is that simple.
Read the Full Post Now - Click Here
Expert Recommendation: The Ultimate Loneliness Antidote: Community
You don’t need a bigger network. You need real people who get it. Who know what it’s like to navigate metrics, visibility, strategy, and silence.
We know how lucky WE are to have each other.
When things get tough, we have someone to text. When something big is happening, we've got someone to call.
That kind of support makes all the difference.
That’s why we built the Aspire MSL, RISE and LEAP communities, not just for training, but for belonging.
Inside our communities, you’ll find:
→ People who are walking the same path
→ Coaches who see your potential
→ A space to be real, not just “professional”
Whether you're trying to land the role or are already deep in the field, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
→ Come find your people.
→ Get support that feels like support.
→ Be part of a space where showing up exactly as you are is enough.
The right community doesn’t just help you succeed. It reminds you you’re not alone while you get there.
Learn more about the right MSL Mastery community for you.
Success Stories: Austin's Story: You Don't Have to Go It Alone
Job searching can feel like shouting into a void. No responses. No feedback. Just silence.
Austin Merritt knew that silence well. Despite his experience and effort, doors stayed closed, and the process felt isolating.
But here’s what made the difference: He didn’t try to power through it solo.
Instead, he leaned on his family, who reminded him of his worth. And he stayed connected with the Aspire MSL community, where others understood the grind and shared the journey.
That connection kept him grounded when things were quiet and helped him stay ready when his opportunity came.
Today, Austin is officially an MSL.
His story is a reminder that:
✔️ You can feel alone and still be making progress
✔️ You don’t need to wait for success to find support
✔️ Community doesn’t just help you get there—it helps you stay strong along the way
🎯 If you’re feeling alone in the process, don’t isolate, reach out.
Book a call with Sarah
Let’s land here:
✔️ Loneliness in Medical Affairs is real, but it’s not a life sentence
✔️ You are not your metrics
✔️ Progress is happening, even if it’s quiet
✔️ Your presence matters even when no one claps
So tell us:
What's one small step you can take this week to feel more connected?
We’re in your corner, cheering loud.
With heart and hustle,
Sarah, Patrina, Tom & Ralph
P.S. If the silence has been getting louder lately, start with a conversation. Book a call with Sarah to learn more about our communities for Medical Affairs Professionals.
P.P.S. Austin, your story cracked the silence wide open. We see you. 👏
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