This place has been quiet but my mind isn’t. There are thoughts, idea, words that are brewing inside but I can’t seem to get them out. And if you are wondering what’s stopping me, it’s time. I know this sounds like an excuse but I wish there were a few more hours in a day.
But that can’t happen so here I am squeezing 20 mins from my schedule to write. Free write mostly and to tell you what’s up at my end.
For the last one year (almost) now, I have found the lines between home and work blurred. Not just blurred but gone away as if erased. I adapted to working from home quickly and it was never a challenge. VT and I got into a routine quickly, found our spots to work and then spend time together. Things fell into a routine and I am grateful to have time at home.
But I am stretched.
Both mentally and physically. I don’t know for how long getting up to make tea between calls will work. Or answering that one email that leads to ten. That one quick call that makes me go past the normal time.
I miss the mundane. The ride back home in traffic, the walk to home and the shopping on the way. Enjoying the weather, taking a detour for a greener stretch and the likes. The morning and the evening rush hour to say the least.
The more I think of memes and videos about finding goodness in the working from home situation, I don’t believe it’s true for working homemakers like me. There are helps who know I am around. There are deliveries to attend, chores to be done, tables to be set and then there is work. Yes, people don’t have to deal with traffic but what about space? What about that me time?
I am grateful I have a job. My salary wasn’t cut and there were no furloughs. But not going to an office to do my job has taken away a piece of me. I can’t nail it down but it has. That piece which on some days brought joy and on some was a source of enthusiasm is gone.
As I share this with you, I know the door bell will ring or someone will want to set a meeting.
Tell me how have things been for you? If they changed, what do you think of the change.
A freewrite today and not a perfect piece but an imperfect me and my thoughts.
happiness and food 
Since last March, I’m very much set in the WFH mode. Handling both office and home at the same time was something I tried once many years ago but failed miserably.
But now, I pretty okay with it. I love eating lunch at home, evening tea with family, a little late breakfast in the mornings. Though almost every weekday, I spend few extra hours in front of my laptop to finish up a day’s tasks.
And yes, I’m also struggling a little in keeping up with my blog but squeeze out some time, some how, to get into my escape pod from a day’s usual.
LikeLike
Good for you, Hammad. I also like that I eat in peace and there is no rush. But maybe I miss the rush. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Good to see you after long!
LikeLike
I have been WFH for 9+ years .. and I have been saying this to all and sundry that WFH is more draining than WFOffice. But, I was met with ‘Oh but you don’t have to travel.’ And now I feel vindicated. Yet, I love WFH as I can do so many other activities like pursue my hobbies, maintain my health and of course the little short 10 min afternoon naps 🙂 .. I am all set now.
LikeLike
Good for you! and yes, I am much better at my work outs now than before. So I know what you mean, Lata.
LikeLike
It sounds like WFH is stressful for you, Parul. I hope you find a balance with it. Maybe you can try talking to your colleagues about it and maybe things will improve. For me, WFH is one of the best things to have happened for me. At first I resisted it and did not like working from home. But then I changed my WFH workstation by moving rooms, had a proper setup and organised my chores around it, everything fell into place. I am so happy I can squeeze in chores and grocery run between work, and that frees up more time for later and on the weekends. I don’t miss the commute to work or the small talk in the office. Basically I feel so much more free and think more clearly since WFH.
I did find I had to set my boundaries very clearly to make this work and it wasn’t easy at first. I had to make it clear to others at home that when I WFH, it is not a time to chat with me and I set expectations with them. For instance, time blocking helped me a lot, where I’d set aside a couple of hours just to do my work undisturbed, then maybe a short break to attend to other things and move away from my work station 🙂
LikeLike
Mabel – So good to know how WFH is working for you. I think it also depends on how we are as individuals. If I block time, will I be able to stick to it or will I get sucked in the rut? But you are giving me some good ideas. Thanks for stopping by! Always good to hear from you!
LikeLike
That is a good question on how time blocking can work. I think with anything we do, we will get into a rut and it’s up to use to switch things up 😊
LikeLike
I feel you.
Hugs
LikeLike
hugs back at you!
LikeLike
Most people who are doing WFH have same story. There are no office hours. To be honest, there are no boundaries and therefore it poses problem. Those living in bigger families have other issues to grapple with like lack of dedicated peaceful office atmosphere. For many companies WFH will be a new routine. I’m sure many will seek some quiet corner of a cafe than home because it lacks the buzz of an office.
LikeLike
Agree to that Arvind. You are right that home is home and office has buzz we need.
LikeLike
I have just begun work from home, and agree… its quite a job! With kids around as well, work stretches into personal family time and family is all around when you really want to focus and finish a task. I wonder when this is going to end. Sigh!
LikeLike
Finally someone who is like me 😉 I love that calm WFH brings on many days but I think I like chaos and rush too.
LikeLike
As much as I have gotten used to WFH, I miss the mundane as you said. I miss traveling to work and talking to my colleagues. I miss the lunch/coffee break chats and the random human interaction.
Working from home has blurred so many lines for me that I have a strict and tight schedule to keep it in check. I do so many other things at home that I need to keep my office work within its hours. It was tough initially, but with time I’ve aced it 🙂
Let’s talk sometime soon. Love!
LikeLike
That’s the spot I am in. Unlike you, I haven’t still created strong boundaries. Work in progress that is. SO good to hear from you, Soumya! I miss meeting you on and off. Take care and yes, let’s chat soon.
LikeLike
Hugs, Parul. Though I’m not “working” per se, I can relate to your situation. My husband’s work time has expanded to accommodate the hours he is at ho,e, meaning to say he works all the time now. As a result my work – preparation for interviews, writing, etc never gets finished and my housework – the never ending chores is now living up to its name. With both the kids at home and no help at all, I’m literally working all the time. Earlier when I clean up living room it is used to stay clean for at least a couple of days, now if it stays that way for a couple of hours I am elated.
As you said, I miss the mundane routine – dropping everyone off, picking everyone back up, casual chats with fellow parents, occasional volunteering sessions at school, the hustle and bustle of morning routine!
It will come back one day, I hope.
Good to read your random thought post, Parul. I missed that too! ♥️♥️
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing a piece from your life, Vinitha! Yes, it will come back but also change things a bit. Like I know so many companies are allowing to work remotely which wasn’t that easy before.
But yes, we will find out rhythm and sail through.
Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
Yes, those blurred lines can be challenging during WFH for sure! You’re not the only one struggling with it. 🙂
LikeLike