These days of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic I can see many of you are struggling being indoors for such a long period of time. It is certainly a whole new level of uncertainty, stress and fear. Our whole industry is on hold, and that in itself is scary, not to mention the obvious very real health threat on our eldery, friends, families and ourselves. But, I have to admit that these past few weeks a great sense of tranquility and gratefulness have been with me in spite it all. It does not go unnotice that I lead an isolated life and my daily routine has shifted very little during this entire process whereas for some, these home restrictions have been extremely challenging. Yes, I have less work (see you next year, Fringe —sigh). Yes, I have no income. Yes, I am never alone (which believe it or not, I miss dearly). Yes, times seem will get worse before getting any better. Yes, I am eating more than I should (I made a dessert last night that I rarely make and only offer for special occasions. But, hey, isn’t a worldwide lockdown a special occasion?). And yet, the impact of having to be home is none.
As many of you know, we have been working from home since we set up Pulp & Pith. During all these years —coming up to five soon, woohoo!— we have gone through the high and lows of creating in isolation while also holding our main communication channels digitally. I have never met most of my clients in person, and some of them I would not even be able to recognise in the street but would certainly know how they sign off their e-mails. I am imagining how you are feeling being at home for so long, and thought I could share some light on this.
A few years ago I wrote a piece on this very blog on tips, joys and complaints about my experience working from home. When the lockdown started I visited this post in the attempt to share with you what I have learned along the way, in case some of you might find it useful. I soon realised that although it is still all very valid and useful —do check it out— I needed to update my tips and joys as much as my complaints before sharing it with you during the current circumstances.
My wall has expanded. My desk has changed. My computer has been upgraded. My lunch breaks have got longer. My plants have grown. My creativity has learned to be nurtured from within. Even my mug selection has broaden. Home is a lovely work space for me, and it can be for you too. Productivity can be your ally but also, please embrace laziness and stillness. All is allowed. May the time we give to worrying be there but not more than the time we allocate to true entertainment and joy. I have good days doing this. And I also have bad days. Today is not a good day. But, today I can imagine tomorrow will be easier.
Working from home pandemic edition:
VIDEO CHATS/CALLS
Please make sure to have your camera lens/screen clean. In fact, try to keep your entire phone clean! You can use soap and water (if using a waterproof phone) or a spray/cloth. Avoid rubbing your fingers as a possible solution. That glare you see coming through is not a confirmation you are saint-like but yet again a reminder your lens is rather dirty.
Find an object to stand your phone against to for long calls. You would stop causing some motion sickness in the process. And, keep your distance. Yes, even virtually. Make sure your full face a chest shows up in the frame.
Pro Tip: If you get dressed as if you were going out all communications and activitivies become easier to execute! Every. Single. Time.
SPACE
Choose an area in your home to work in and stick to it. Clean it up. Make sure it is very close to the router for the internet connection to be as strong as it can be. Stand up or change position every hour to avoid severe back and leg pain. Lock social media for 2 hours minimum at a time. Yes, YouTube classifies as social media.
Or, simply ingore all the above. Sit or stand wherever. You won at doing any work already!
My wall does give me comfort and it keeps my dreaming active, strong and wild.
LIGHT
I stand by my previous tip with a mild adjustment. So it goes like this: Good light, whether natural or artificial, is good for your mood and willingness to live. Stick to the light.
Spring is here, thankfully, there is lots of natural light around. Also, drink your tea by a window. It helps with the illusion of being outside.
TIME
What we are all going through it is a very real struggle. Sadly, we are not all in the same boat but in the same ocean —some on yatchs, some on boats and some with nothing but a stick.
Allow yourself time to feel it all. The bad too, and although you might want to cover the isolation by having lots of Zoom chats, and Houseparty meetups it might be good to also allocate time for being still, grounded, present in the whirlwind.
Don’t be online all the time. As for me, I have been playing childhood games that I had not played for a very long time and do not require a screen. I am grateful for the laugher they have caused.
HEALTH
When working from home EVERYTHING is a decision. I believe this is by far the hardest thing to face, and the reason why so many struggle with this new norm. Everything requires will to be engaged. That online yoga class, that stretch, that run —for those who can still do it—, that walk to the park at a constant 2 meters distance from any other human being.
Move, the more you move the better you feel. May work not be productive yet your body and mind stay fit.
Let’s honour our health those of us lucky enough to have it, for those many that are struggling to breath.
NURTURE YOUR CREATIVITY
While my main tip to start the creativity engine is to “make sure to book in your calendar some daily get away”, this time around that has gone out of the window!
For now, stay true to whatever you need to do to be safe. Stay busy, rest, colour-in but above all dream. Dreaming would be our daily get away.
