Week 132, Day 919.
I’ve been busy getting used to my new life of working from home (WFH). To say that the transition has been easy would be a lie, but it’s also not been as hard as I thought it would be. I have been following WFH guidelines mentioned in my previous post; I even wore make up today to feel like I’m actually going to work! I have also found further helpful tips on how to be productive WFH, primarily this video by Zanna Van Dijk, who has been WFH for the last 5 years. 💡
My biggest issue with WFH has been the immense influx of communication from everyone I know. My phone has not stopped notifying me of yet another message/email/call/GIF/meme/photo/post that I urgently need to reply to. I appreciate that social distancing is difficult and that people are trying to find other ways to keep in touch, but when you are trying to get on with work, especially when that work is a PhD, it can be really hard to focus with the constant bombardment of information. Life is overwhelming enough. So I started to turn my phone off. It has done me wonders. Sorry everyone, but I have to put my work and my well-being first if I am gong to be of any use to to you. 📵
Photo: Big mood. Leave me alone. At least during my working hours. Source: @rubyetc
Something that everyone is talking about at the moment is managing mental health during these ‘unprecedented times’. For me, managing my mental health has been a lifetime career, I therefore haven’t found it all that difficult discovering ways to manage it in these social distancing times. For me, routine is of utmost importance, both during work and ‘play’. I make sure that I have a ‘to-do’ list for my work schedule, which includes regular breaks. In these breaks, and other free time, I have tried to either do something physical, like going for a run, or something creative, like painting my garden fence or cross-stitching.
Photo: My garden fence painting progress. I have run out of paint for now and am desperately awaiting a delivery from Homebase. It has been almost impossible to find any DIY equipment; it seems the entirety of the UK has picked up some kind of crafty hobby to cope. Source: Phone camera.
Being creative has been fundamental in keeping me afloat. I am fortunate enough to live with my other half, and we have been finding ways to do creative things together and things we normally don’t have time to do. For instance, we have started a 3000 piece puzzle, which has taken up most of the floor space in our office room and is most definitely keeping us entertained. We are also doing Jason Vale’s ‘juice yourself slim’ seven day ‘launch’ programme, which is a super fun health kick kind of challenge. I have done this ‘reboot’ twice before and have always felt miles better afterwards, so was super eager to repeat it a third time. What I am trying to say is use this time wisely, allow your priorities to realign, spend time with loved ones, create, do all those things you keep putting off, re-evaluate your life choices, become a better human being and take this version of yourself forward, beyond this pandemic. ✨
Have a great week y’all! Stay safe and stay at home! 🏡
Photo: The most complex of puzzle pieces.❓❔❓ Just has to be involved. 🐾Source: Phone camera.
