What have you learned about yourself while working from home?

Lora Cowan

Whether we're at home with our families, our pets, our thoughts, or all of the above and then some, I'm sure we've all had ample time to reflect on things about ourselves like never before.  I know I have.  What are some things you've learned about yourself while being home more?  I'll start us off with my top three, but please share as many as you like!


1. I can actually be productive at home when it comes to doing my job. I always wondered about this and have even pondered applying for remote jobs from time-to-time, but was never sure how it would work.  Don't get me wrong - I miss seeing my co-workers in person something terrible (!), but I have been able to do some catch-up projects, help with questions and still get day-to-day tasks done.  This also makes me feel a little better about my time management skills because I was seriously questioning them before all of this happened. 


2. There are distractions no matter where you are.  There are days in the office where I feel like I get nothing done, and I have those days now that I'm at home, and I'm learning that's okay.  Looking back I can see I did do things - just not as much as I had in mind for myself that day because of unexpected things (distractions, new assignments, unexpected questions, the usual).  As long as there's progress most days (see number 1 above), the work will get done, and I might not go insane in the process.  LOL  


3. Most importantly, my family is awesome!  I know this isn't about me alone, but it definitely impacts me.  And yes, I knew they were awesome before, but this time at home has made it more abundantly clear to me.  My husband has had to continue going to his job and work overtime many days, and my teenage daughter has been at home even longer than me finishing 10th grade from home while missing out on many things that were coming up for her and her friends.  My lunch hours a lot of days have consisted of looking at chemistry and math videos to help jog my old memory and help her interpret virtual assignments from her teachers.  She's had to be patient during many virtual meetings I've had to attend.  And to beat it all, we've actually enjoyed it!  We've gotten along better, been less stressed at night, and all of us seem to be talking more to each other.  My daughter and I have lunch together most days, and all three of us are together for dinner.  Dinner together is normal, but somehow our conversations seem better - more full and genuine.  



Yes, I waxed sappy instead of going the comical route.  I'd love to hear both funny and serious from you.  What wonderful (or not so wonderful) self-discoveries have you made?

 

Rachel Cavalier

Oooh this is a good question.


I think firstly, and I don't know that this was a big surprise, but other than attending church via Facebook live and our church choir not running at the moment, my life outside of work in terms of social and leisure activities has...not really changed! I've been Extremely Online for the last 20 years, so a lot of my oldest friends are people I met on Usenet and are spread all over the world - our socialising has remained the same! I read, play computer games, distance learn and watch films in the same way I did before - though I've gotten into e-sports a little now. The only thing that has really shifted is that my gig-going and theatre attendance has shifted to streamed performances instead.


I miss going to the supermarket and just looking at the food. I've left my house once since the middle of March as I live with my Mum and she's in a vulnerable age bracket (plus, she also hates grocery shopping) and I miss browsing - which doesn't work quite the same when you're shopping online.


I've also discovered that all the time standing at the scanner, printing things, having to go round to someone's desk to help them with a thing, helping our volunteer with every day tasks - the work stuff that isn't necessarily my work but is still working - is also the stuff that helps me manage my RSI problems with my hands and wrists! Without those things, I've found it more difficult to not be typing and mousing for 8 hours with a lunch break in the middle.


And I really miss the convenience of writing things on paper and then scanning it!!

Jenna Anderson

Lora Cowan‍ Great question! I especially resonate with #2. I've found that the following helps keep me going while adjusting to working from home full-time: Exercising and stretching in the morning, I eat breakfast more regularly now (a great thing!) because I don't have to factor in travel time to get to work, wearing headphones helps just as they do when I was physically in the office, I still motivate myself to take breaks and do something productive like walking my dog, or working on a large weekly task that I appoint myself. Last week, I re-organized my DVD's, next week I plan on re-organizing my records during my breaks, etc. It helps me to feel like I have worked my job, AND taken care of long overdue stuff at home that I never had the time before to get to. I also stay in touch everyday with my boss, much to his annoyance, about what I'm working on just via a daily update email or phone call. That helps keep me motivated and lets him know what I'm working on to make sure we are not duplicating work. 

Heather MacKenzie

Under a former boss, I was given work at home days frequently, about twice a month or even up to once a week, so I already knew I could handle it and be successful at it.  However, having a job change (not my choice) about a month before the lockdown means I'm learning my new position while working from home, so that's been a bit of a struggle.  My cat has been super happy to have me home way more.  :-)  As for my social life, like someone else mentioned, I was online for a lot of it before, so that hasn't been much of a difference.  BUT, when I want to see my people when I want to see them, and I am having withdrawals from not getting enough hugs!  I'm a decent time manager, so that's been helpful.  I guess I haven't found out anything new, LOL.


I love your comment about having more meaningful conversations at dinnertime.  That's awesome!