Feb. 11, 2021.
It has been exactly eight weeks.
On December 17th, 2020, I started working from home due to the
lockdown, as my office was a non-essential workplace.
It has its pros. It has its cons. Since so many of us have been
working from home, I am sure many people can relate. Imagine that my commute is
my hallway, and my snack drawer is my pantry. Do you think it sounds dreamy?
Not so much when we are learning to live with this new reality.
For me, I can actually get out of bed about 20-30 minutes later
than usual since I am not rushing out the door, and I get a chance to catch Dr.
Mitch on CJAD radio! One major pro is not packing my lunch, which is one of my
biggest pet peeves. These days I just open my fridge and prepare whatever I
decide on at that moment, based on what is in stock.
I also don't give a thought as to what I wear, including shoes.
However, I get dressed every day, albeit in leggings or yoga pants, with my
fluffy animal-print slippers.
One bonus is throwing in a load of wash, and I usually take a few
minutes during lunchtime to throw it in the dryer. Plus, I can even unload the
dishwasher while I make my mid-morning coffee.
However, I am more often than not sharing my workspace. I do not
have a closed office area in my house. My kids are Cegep students in Zoom
classes, so they have erratic schedules, sleeping in some days, and napping or
studying on breaks.
We are also sharing the wifi! That's another issue altogether…I
just recently had to upgrade our internet plan, our modem, and router, plus
install a wifi extender.
I am set up at my desk, which is in my living room, all open to my
dining room and kitchen. While someone in my household has breakfast, lunch, or
snack, he or she is literally in my workspace. But I have adjusted- well,
somewhat. When I have my weekly Zoom staff meetings, I just go into my bedroom
with a mobile device because it is too disruptive to the kids.
As the weeks have passed and my kids have thankfully begun their
winter term classes, we have become accustomed to the existing circumstances. Still,
I seem to be in their way. They would much prefer if I left the house to go to
the office. Truthfully, I would much rather be at the office. Since it is
winter, it is not easy being home all day and night during the lockdown and curfew.
When the sun is shining, I force myself outdoors, even for a 20-minute walk, or
to do an errand.
I also miss the interactions and exchanges with a few others in my
office, even from a six-foot distance and wearing masks. Also, being together physically makes
the work process flow more smoothly-merely talking in-person quickens responses
and reactions. Nowadays, this process transpires via email and instant
messaging, zoom meetings, and phone calls. Thankfully, we have the technology
available to us today. We are definitely doing the best we can.
Surprisingly after eight weeks, I have found myself in a good
rhythm. I feel quite productive on most days, despite some of the distractions
at home. I must admit that I am euphoric to not face poor driving conditions or
having to clear the snow and ice off my car on those freezing cold and snowy
days.
But the good news is that spring is just around the corner. The
snow will soon melt, the sunshine will become warm, and we will all be outdoors
breathing the smells of spring time.
On that note, I am looking forward to going back to the office one day, hopefully soon.
What are you most hopeful for?
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