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Isolation

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Annoying tragic comedy has happened. 

I went to Japan for a week long holiday and ended up returning the day my company announced that people returning from Japan have to do a mandatory 14 day self-isolation. So here I am, at home, trying to not be distracted and failing so badly that even writing a post on my long lost blog seemed like a good idea.

The thing with flexible work from home arrangements is, they work best when they are flexible and a choice. When mandated, it feels like a loss of agency and a forced move. It's like me telling you not think about a monkey. You are picturing a monkey now, aren't you? Not telling me to go to office is making me want to go to office. 

Anyway, no one asked, but here's what my day looks like now:

8 am: Wake up and ponder over breakfast ideas, a meal that I never cared much for. I quickly Google for "interesting but easy to make breakfast items". Alas, one of the links leads me to Instagram.

Scroll.

Scroll.

Scroll.

9:30 am: Have a glass of milk. Breakfast is overrated anyway.

10 am: A quick shower and back at the work desk. Oh, the desk looks so messy. I should clean it up and start on a fresh slate. 

10:15 am: What is this beautiful notepad I own? Why did I never use this before? Ooooh. This highlighter deserves my love. Stationary. Love.

10:45 am: A messier than ever desk that needs more attention than ever. Superwoman to the rescue. Clean. Clean. Clean.

11:30 am: I need to be on this call. I will pay attention. 

"uh-huh"

"uh-huh" (Trying out new highlighter on the side)

1 hour later:

"I completely agree with everything you say" (Appreciating my magnum opus art work that I have created with my newly discovered highlighter)

12:00 pm: It's going to be lunch time soon. I should be prepared. Google for "quick easy-to-make home recipes for a busy lunch.

Somehow land up on Instagram. Again.

Scroll.

Scroll.

Scroll.

1:30 pm: Let's just eat cookies and chips because that is never a bad idea.

2:30 pm: Wow, this room gets hot in the afternoons. I should do something. Climbs up the windows to make the room light proof.

4:00 pm: Let's check if it is light proof. Oh damn, the sun moved away.

5:00 pm: Why did no one tell me these snacks exist at home? How did I not like rice crackers before? I should buy more Teriyaki sauce. I should make a list of things that will help me survive this work from home period. Adds 30 items to the list. Including new stationary.

6:00 pm: Let me answer this one mail and I am done.

7:00 pm: Wow, so much work in one day. I look forward to going to the gym.

And that's how my day runs out. I can't believe I am saying this, but never have I ever wanted to be back in office so badly. 

If nothing else, I now know I am not made for remote work. Unless, you give me a budget to buy lots of stationary. Then I can make it work.

How do you deal with wfh?

Cheers
Preeks










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Comments

  1. Preeti S.Tuesday, March 10, 2020

    That's really interesting to know. In my case, my workplace has not mandated work from home yet, when my colleagues and I think they really should. Ofc, knowing that many find it better to work in office than from home, I totally agree with you that it should be made into a choice, left to the employee to decide either way. Compulsory anything is just forced and inconvenient. :/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PreetiMonday, March 16, 2020

      I know! But now I guess the situation is far worse. Better to be home!

      Delete
  2. DIWednesday, March 11, 2020

    I am more interested in knowing whether you had any worries while setting out for a vacation amidst all this , to and from a country which is, umm, fairly impacted? Asking cos I am sitting on non-refundable tickets and very, very sad :(

    Working from home is exactly what you say - awesome, until not mandated. It becomes annoying then. I work from home almost every week for a day or 2 but there is a definitive reason, and it is out of choice. Very different from this. However, if I do get the visa, I am thinking of traveling anyway, and self-isolating myself by default. I will doubt if I will regret that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PreetiMonday, March 16, 2020

      I hear you. I lost a lot of money so far this year. The Japan trip just could not be avoided, so we went. But at this point, it is better not to go :(

      Delete

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