Working from home- a blessing or a curse?
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on all of our lives. For some people, having the time to spend with the family has been a real positive, whilst for others, the feelings of isolation have been unbearable.
When it comes to working from home, the same conflicting sentiments can come into play. Being at home with small children is lovely but not so much when your boss is demanding you meet a deadline; whereas isolation can be a blessing and provide the peace and quiet much needed to concentrate on demanding tasks. Irrespective of our situations, it is up to us to find a way through this unprecedented time and how well we do that will depend on our thinking and the meaning we give situations.
A phrase I learned as a student, and one that I frequently use in therapy, states: ‘It’s not the situation that makes us angry, depressed or anxious, it’s the meaning we give that situation’. If you can remind yourself that your children love you and want to be with you even when they get jam all over your computer, then their behaviour may seem a little less disastrous. If you can accept that currently, everyone feels isolated and if you muster the courage to phone a colleague, then you may find an ally and supporter at work and not feel so alone.
We know that at the moment, many events and factors are out with our control. Still, if we can see the possibilities of your situation rather than focus on the negative uncontrollable variables, then you will feel more able to cope with working from home.
Below are a few suggestions that may help you devise your own, ‘work from home’ survival plan!
Don’t have unrealistic expectations.
You are only human, and believe it or not, so are your children! Thinking that your children can leave you alone for hours to do your work is not realistic. Plan frequent breaks to check in on how they are doing. This may mean working a slightly longer day, but a longer harmonious day may feel quicker than a short catastrophic day.
Plan your working hours and stick to them.
Don’t be tempted to go back on that computer late at night. Use a notebook instead to make a reminder of what you want to do tomorrow not tonight.
Don’t try to be superwoman/man!
Big deal if the house is a mess during your working week- no one is calling anyway! Let the little things go. No one ever died of eating pizza twice a week!
Create the right work-life balance.
Plan rewarding activities for you and your children to do when you are not working. Try to create a work station that you can close down when work is finished.
Connect
If you live alone, try to connect with someone each day. We often think that other people are much busier than us and we are afraid to intrude on their lives. In reality, everyone appreciates being contacted. Give that friend or colleague a ring when work finishes – what’s the worst that can happen?
