The transition to working from home wasn’t an easy one for me. I live in a shared house with no space for a dining table to work from and two roommates who sadly lost their jobs.
So, the first step was to find a desk, a chair and set up a computer in my bedroom. Shockingly, I’ve had no IT hiccups (touch wood) and I’m pretty happy with the workspace I’ve created—art, plants and mood lighting go a long way!
In my first week at home, I found it hard to concentrate. I had endless messages popping up on Skype, emails, Teams, text, Facebook and Instagram reminding me of the looming health, economic and environmental crisis going on outside my bedroom window.
For me, it was important not to be too hard on myself and remember that we are all going through an adjustment period. I’ve also started jogging each morning to clear my head (much to the shock of those who know me well!). Keeping up my daily to-do lists, scheduling breaks, and putting my phone away for periods throughout the day have also helped me to settle into a more productive routine.
- Ruby Gatfield, Senior Research and Education Adviser
