My Experience of Remote Working
Journal of feelings, experiences and practices.
Currently on week 11 of working from home, and I want this to become my future ‘normal’.
I first experienced wfh a few years ago, when my employer of the time couldn’t afford an office big enough for me and the rest of the team in a WeWork. So I had to adapt and that wasn’t bad for me at all, I really liked it! Back then, I shared my flat with two other flatmates and they were getting up early which meant that I could take my time, wake up, have breakfast and get to the desk by 8am, without rushing or worrying about taking the tube with a bunch of sweaty strangers.
I considered myself lucky: I didn’t have to hear anyone else rant, complain or distract me all day — I could focus and I could be productive.
Back then, I mastered self motivation; in normal situations, I am pretty good at motivating myself, but when you are alone, and have the luxury of being able to control your work and have the freedom to do it from your own desk/table/sofa (wherever you fancy, really), it’s a whole other story and you have to push yourself even harder.
So yes, I was extra motivated to make it work and to be as flexible and independent as possible, at that really worked out for me. Then, for all sorts of reasons, my wfh fantasy ended and I was running around London boutiques, counters and meetings.
But now, I am doing it again! My current employer has ‘flexible hours’ as a company policy, which is great because before the Pandemic happened, I would request a wfh day when needed, but always wished for more.
Lockdown meant that I started living my fantasy again, and this time sharing it with only one flatmate, my partner, in a much smaller flat, but am so loving it!
So here is why it’s working for me:
- I love the independence that it gives you;
- I can act how I feel: if one morning I want to get up at 7am and get at the desk for 7.15am, I can! I don’t have to put on an extra smiley face and pretend everything is perfect, if don’t feel like it;
- I feel safe;
- I can listen to whatever music I want (currently on the BBC Radio 6 vibe!);
- I feel more productive, I noticed I have been working much more which is probably not good;
- I don’t make a big deal out of the fact that I am not in an actual ‘office’, so it makes no differences to me;
And many more reasons really, but these are the most important ones.
I think it’s necessary to create a routine and try stick to it as much as possible, for example I do everything I would normally do if I was going to the office, I just take more time for myself and try appreciate more my own space, company and moods.
In terms of things that have not being going so well, I don’t have many, the only one I can think of is the fact that I am working a min of 8–9 hours every day, without getting the time back.
But I guess it all comes back to motivation, productivity and strive; resilience has been a big inspiration for me these past few weeks and I just appreciate being able to make the most out of this situation, with a positive attitude.
