I think I’m currently in week 17 of working from home and I’m not sure about anyone else but the days, weeks and months have all merged into one.
Overall, I do think my working from home experience has been a good one, I’m lucky enough to be able to work almost unaffected in any location away from the office (WiFi dependent). I’ve enjoyed the newfound freedom and the trust that I’ll get the job done even when I’m sat in my dressing gown!
But that’s not to say I don’t miss the office and by that I mean the people, I just don’t think I’m ready to jump straight back into office life. I, like many others, have only just adjusted to life ‘WFH’.
Benefits
No commute: This has definitely created more time in the day. But I have made a point of going for a morning walk Monday – Friday to stretch my legs and prepare for a day of graft. This has in effect become my commute, but it’s a lot more chilled and a great way to get my steps in.
Challenges me to work more independently: I sit next to my Head of Section in the office and even though I still have a lot of comms with her throughout the day, I try and think twice before asking the small questions that I can easily figure out myself. My self-discipline has developed and I think this enforced situation has had a positive effect on my work in this respect.
Improved productivity: My working hours are 8.30am – 5.30pm and I have daily calls with my Head of Section to discuss any challenges or support I might need throughout the day. I feel like I’m getting my work done at a better pace and able to independently creative-problem-solve when things don’t go my way.
Improved work-life balance: I have had isolated incidents when this hasn’t been the case, but I do think that the ‘extra’ time I have gained from not travelling into a workplace has been a welcome addition to my life. Work stress will always be there but being able to take a cup of tea and sit in the garden when things get a bit heavy has been great! Lunch breaks can be spent exercising (in our office I hosted weekly workouts via Zoom) and I’ve been able to help a little bit more around the house. These might not seem like big improvements but in the current climate, it’s not like I can use that time to travel the world… Not just yet anyway.
Saving money: I know I’m not the only one who’s been able to save some money in the last few months. It’s amazing how easily the £3 here and there for lunch can mount up! I do try and have a pack lunch but being at home has forced me to get creative and not just resort to hitting the shops for a quick snack.
Disadvantages
Isolation: For many months, the only people I had face-to-face conversations with were my parents and sister. There does come a point when FT or video calls just don’t hit the spot anymore.
Never ‘escaping’ work: As much as I try to clear away my workspace and close my laptop at ‘home time’; I do have the feeling that I don’t ever quite switch off. I’m always within reach of my work emails and working in social media means that I can see ‘work’ whenever I scroll down my newsfeed.
Until next time,
Hannah xo
Finding ‘the perfect’ work space: I, like many others don’t have a dedicated office space at home, so I’ve had to improvise. I’ve moved around the house in the last few months, the kitchen table is my domain at the moment but that’s still in a large communal space. This last year has really made me reconsider what I will look for in a living space when I do eventually move out of my parent’s house, a home office or at the very least a work area will be a must.
I do think has been an almighty pilot for flexible working across the UK and a way of proving ourselves when working remotely. But I will be interested to see how working life develops over the second half of 2020.
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