We've all been here before and kind of got used to working from the kitchen table or the spare room.
However this lockdown feels slightly different to the last one. For me it's the fact it's January, cold and dark. Whereas the first lockdown was spring and there was the expectation it wouldn't last long.
What are everyone else's thoughts on this lockdown?
Mental health is obviously a big concern at the moment and although I am feeling good and have the support of family and friends I know it's not the same for everyone. I'm not an expert but I can listen, so if anyone needs to talk feel free to reach out.
Replies
Hi Keith,
Yes very different for me also this time round. The home schooling (juggling) has been an interesting difference to say the least. I was coping ok and had changed my work shedule accordingly so had found a routine. Then the school decided a new different home schooling shedule for a one off week was a good idea and posted it out 9am Monday morning of that week! So the kids had to figure it out themsleves for wee bit til I caught up, which I am sure in way was hopefully good for them too to figure it out themselves.
Hopefully not long now till things start to head back to the norm.
Take care
Matt
Hi Matt,
Oh yes, the joys of home schooling!! Was going well until this week but let them have a few snow days, which has been good to get them out and about, however they now need to catch up through half term!
As you say hopefully not too long until head back to a bit of normality!
Totally agree with this!
One change I have consciously made to my workday pattern at the moment is to try and keep afternoons clear of scheduled meetings, so I can get out for a walk before it gets dark. I find that a good way to break up the day especially if we get lucky and the sun is shining!! Otherwise you can go all day without seeing daylight sometimes which cannot be great for our mental health - whereas working on into the evening slightly to make up for the afternoon walk is no big deal if its dark out! Highly recommend restructuring your working day a bit if you can!
Changing from the normal 9 to 5 definitely works. I've been working full time and trying to home school 2 kids so changing the hours I work was a must. Tend to work on into the evenings as otherwise would just crash on the sofa and watch TV!
This is a great post Keith and I hope more people have these discussions over the next few weeks.
Similar to you, this lockdown feels very different. For me it feels a lot busier, both with my work and more school work for the kids. With the previous lockdown we would have gone on a walk each day and as the weather was good there were days we were still on the beach at 10pm.
We have hardly been out of the house this lockdown as we try to get through our work but that will change from next week and we are going back to daily walks - even if it is only 20 mins. I'm loving getting out and about around my home town :-)
Roll on the brighter nights!
Hi Carrie, strangely this week has been really good. Kids have loved the snow and it has been a change from the routine or maybe rut! that we've got into.
Hi Keith,
Good post and thanks for sharing.
Dark days, dark times indeed all round. Same boat - although I have pretty much been working from home for about 5yrs now building a business, since redundancy from O&G downturn in 2016. Tough times and lockdown does not help in the slightest, along with the business being shut (right thing to do though), furloughing many staff costing us a lot of money on/off since March 2020. I have been knocked down more times than I can think of and absolutely certain verging on depression at times watching my business take such a huge hit, again, and again, and again.
January - lockdown again. Beauty. B*gger that. I am always postive but this calls for more, working hard for a loss, keep people in jobs, get out the house for regular exercise, spend a lot of time on marketing for when we are able to fully return plus more! This, is `Optimistic Overdrive`.
I am lucky to have my awsome wife and daughter to bounce off every day when I need it. Working from home is not great but the good times will return soon!
Looking forward to meeting Siobhan Jaffray about the potential of some office time in the months ahead.
Jeez Keith, good post.... I could write an essay but I`ll stop there :)
Stay safe and well everyone, remain positive.
Cheers,
Johnny
I'm the same have worked from home for a long time but the difference being I had an office in the house but was able to go out and see clients daily which is the part that is missing at the moment. Zoom is great but doesn't beat meeting a client physically!
I agree keith, this January hasn't been the same especially been hit with a lock down.
It's not the best with working from home, Ive been homebound for the last 1-2 months but thankfully im just getting back to work but Iv'e had the company to keep me occupied, if it wasn't for that I don't know how my mental health would be if I didn't have the company.
Hope everyone is alright and keeping as busy as they can be :)
I am certianly in the same boat, Keith Hunter.
January is never usually much fun but throw a lockdown into the mix, and it has made for a pretty rubbish month. I'm counting down the days to the clocks going forward, at least the sun is shining today.
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