Yesterday was exactly a month since everything has changed.
On Friday the 13th of March was my first ‘working from home’ day until further notice.
We went on a lockdown ahead of the government’s advice. We started to abide the rules a couple of days before Boris put them down in writing. Better safe than sorry.
Our isolation crew is perfect: Ben & I, our housemate and her boyfriend, who also happens to be our closest friend. Enough of us to bounce off each other, and luckily, the apartment size allows the four of us live in harmony (most of the times)
It’s been a month of adjustment, and a month of reflection. We’re probably looking at another month before some restrictions are lifted, but the country is a very long time away from things going back to normal, that is, if they ever do.
First week was easy.
We even got together with the girls to film our thoughts on Corona:
There was this initial excitement of not having to go to the office, and the creative ideas of staying in touch were flowing right, left and centre.
The week when everyone downloaded Houseparty app and had their first virtual drinks.
That was the week when we’ve run out of the toilet roll and pasta, but kids were still going to school, and the pubs were open.
I made a couple of videos for LinkedIn (first & second – you should totally watch them, and please do connect!), and had so many other ideas…
That was the week of over-ambitious planning – I’m sure you’ve had one too? We’ll get to that in a minute, I promise.
Second week was determined.
By that point it’s been more than 10 days since I’ve been to the gym. This is when it finally hit me: all of my plans, my progress, PB’s are simply not going to happen. I’ve written out myself a fitness plan, to ensure I maintain some sort of routine… And so far I certainly have.
The key highlight was the egg hunt – well ahead of Easter. Supermarkets have run out of eggs, but the local suppliers were there to make our household happy.
Second highlight was Tiger King. Carole fucking Baskin. As a result, I am now cross-stitching a tiger.
We would generally only leave the house to get essentials, or for one exercise a day.
We didn’t go out on that Friday before the hospitality industry went into hibernation. We still drank a lot, just at home.
All the following weeks became a blur…
I’m not going to lie, I was taken aback when I looked at the calendar and realised that it’s been a whole month.
I dyed my hair pink, I’ve done TikTok challenges…. This is what a month without the gym and pubs does to a girl! (Who am I kidding I’d do them anyway ha)
[Add me on TikTok: polina.rocks]
Key highlight is that we now have weekly pub quiz with the friends we normally wouldn’t see that often, and this feels truly special. I’m sure many of you are in the same boat – don’t take it for granted, cherish it!
Our Penthouse household goes on regular bike rides. We keep our distance. From other people.
We celebrated Easter in tradition.
We had good quality nights out, whilst staying in.
But not everything was so lovely-jubbly
Of course, I want to reflect and remember the good things. Of course, I feel blessed and grateful every day about my circumstances. But I’ve recently realised the importance of voicing concerns and sharing difficulties: I’m not the only one who is going through this!
There’s been times when it felt tough.
First of all, the job. I know how lucky I am to have the job that is more in demand in times like these. I work in retail data analysis – what shoppers buy in supermarkets, specifically in alcohol. Consumer behaviour is changing every week, so we need to report faster and answer a lot more questions. There are a lot more time pressures than normal, and things are a lot slower, because everyone is trying to use the internet and connect to the VPN. This is teaching me patience through so many opportunities of having to collect myself…
There’s been a couple of very late nights, which ultimately leads me to another tough self-check on my over-ambitious plans.
Because we’re at home, we get more time to do home stuff, right?! I can paint the wall, wash the carpets [insert your personal OCD]… WRONG. I’m not gaining the time I lose on the commute over the speed of the internet. And there is more work.
But what about all of those plans? All the videos I wanted to make? All of the arts/crafts/cleaning/shopping/etc.etc.etc. I was planning on doing? Boom, there it is, the guilt or a super-planner and a control freak. So in time of isolation (or so I realised now), it’s more than important to allow things go.
Marie Kondo approach:
Would doing it bring me more joy? Will not doing it really make the world stop?!
Still learning, hey.
The toughest challenge is the lack of human contact
I thrive through social contact. I love throwing parties, I talk a lot, I work in a busy office and my jobs requires me to travel around the country and present to and train different audiences. I am a people person. My husband and housemates are amazing, but I need more people. Virtual just doesn’t do it for me.
The other day I was dropping some groceries off to a friend and we had a chat in the front garden for about five minutes (with all the distancing!). I WAS BUZZING. My housemate noted that I’m a true extrovert, because having a chat with friends really turned my mood around!
I miss people. I miss hugs. I miss pubs. The atmosphere. Ahhh, you have no idea how demanding I will become now of our group pictures.
I miss my bestie 😦
One more month.
This month will be very eventful, this month will be absolutely brilliant.
Because I want it to be.
Lots of love,
Po
x
My 28th birthday was also a special one: it cemented the cupcake face mask tradition.
polina.rocks 