Taking advantage of Working from Home is One of the Benefits of COVID-19
Your home is your castle even when it’s your office
I spent another week working from home, and I liked it. No delays on the train. No traffic to contend with.
And my favorite, no people in the morning! Hey, what can I say? I’m just not a morning person.
As is the case for many, our offices are now our homes, and our co-workers are whoever we’re living with. For me, it’s two cats. They’re only demands are that I feed them in the morning and sit next to them during the day. It’s easy and their company is welcomed.
But don’t get me wrong, I’m working hard. I’m sure anyone who’s working from home is doing the same. The last thing we need is to lose our jobs. The demands haven’t changed; they’ve just moved. And, I’ve been meeting these demands head-on.
Again, so are you.
But at least we’re home. And our homes are our castles — humble as they may be. And, they’re our sources of renewal. We have the opportunity to perform our work in a much more supportive atmosphere. We can relieve our stress when and how we want.
And we can take extra time to do things that help us get through the day.
Savor Your Morning Coffee
Mornings can never really begin without coffee. For me, it’s cappuccino brewed in a Bialetti. It’s the best part of the day.
I tend to the cats and prepare this heavenly creation knowing that, once it’s ready, there’s nothing more to do but enjoy it to its fullest. I heat my mug and prepare the foam.
On a typical workday morning, I used to sit and look out the window for 10 minutes before heading to work. Now I have the opportunity to enjoy it for a lot longer. I have time to stir that foam, lick the spoon, and reheat the cappuccino. And then stare out the window a bit longer instead of heading for the door.
I look out over the Boston harbor and watch the sunlight dance like diamonds on the ocean. Seagulls swoop on the air currents and ducks fish for their breakfasts.
That’s my special routine, but I’m sure you have one, too.
What do you do to get yourself moving in the morning?
How much longer can you enjoy your morning coffee? Or tea? Or meditation? What’s the rush? Take an extra10-minutes to do whatever it is that gets you started. Lay in bed, stare out the window and take in the view as your thoughts and plans for your upcoming workday come into focus.
We’re always complaining about how we have to rush. Now we don’t have to.
Put your money where your mouth is. You’ll enjoy it.
Your Surroundings
Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Envision your office, the people, the interruptions, and the constant demands. Feel yourself there. Take another deep breath, inhale, exhale, and open your eyes.
I am sure the view has improved considerably. Not everyone has a scenic vista like me, but I’m sure you have a window. Maybe you are sitting next to it with the sunlight streaming in as opposed to your cubicle walls with its fluorescent lighting. Turn your face towards the sun, close your eyes, and feel it.
You can open that window and breathe in fresh air and feel the breeze, as opposed to stale, circulated air.
Now let’s get to the people in your surroundings.
I’m going to take a leap and assume that, although you might like your co-workers, you like the people you live with more. And if your kids are driving you crazy, I apologize. The good thing is, at least you can tell them they’re driving you nuts and ask them to back off.
Try saying this to your boss. Not!
And though your kids might have demands, you’re doing something for someone you care about, and yes, 10 years from now, it will make a difference.
Have a Fit, Out Loud
“Can you believe what s/he said in that e-mail? F*** them!”
That’s right! Say it out loud. Flip the bird at your computer screen. Tell your boss or whoever sent that e-mail what you really think, right from the comfort of your own home.
In fact, you can stand up and leave. Get up and walk away. Don’t go back until you’re feeling more settled. Control your breathing, unclench your fists. Close your eyes. Now exhale slowly out your nose.
Still not feeling better? Do it again.
Stand on your head, do a downward-facing dog (yoga) if it helps. No one will ever know. You can’t reset like this at the office, but you’re not at the office.
Go for it.
All News is Bad News
The updates never stop, and it’s all bad news. You’ve got to stay online to work, and if you walked away from every piece of bad news, you’d never look at your computer again.
And you might not have a job.
It’s time to get away from reality for a few minutes.
Click away from the news. Find a piece of music you enjoy for a five-minute reprieve. Once you feel better, go back to your office desktop. Your e-mails will still be there waiting for you.
If you need a laugh, try finding something on Youtube. My favorite is Uncle Vinny’s report on the Coronavirus. It’s one of many, but this is the most relevant.
If you’d like a little Trump humor, check out Ken Olin.
Have a good laugh.
Now get back to work.
In Conclusion
And there you have it. A few simple things you can do while working from home that you couldn’t do at your office without being committed or fired.
While the situation is grim, working from home allows you to structure your day and how you get through it. At the end of it, all that matters is that you get the work done.
Your boss and co-workers don’t need to know how you did it. And the wonderful thing is, they won’t.
Stay safe, stay sane, and stay home.
But make the most of it.
And if you have any other means of not losing it in this age of quarantine, please let me know!
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