I’ve always been a homebody. Even when I travel, I make sure I factor in enough downtime so I don’t burn out. However, working from home during quarantine with no transportation has me feeling stir crazy in a way I’ve never experienced before.
I have I’m home, in one room of the house for at least 12 hours of the day (20 if you include sleeping) for 6 days of the week. Date night is laundry day, and I’m so great full for date night however a lot of the time date nights are right here at home.
When I travel, I spend the first day inside, unpacking and unwinding after sometimes 24hour flights. Then maybe I relax the next day too, but in the lobby of the hotel or hostel. Then the third day I take small day trips. And gradually build myself up to spending the day outdoors and towards the end of the trip I gradually move myself back indoors.
Let me tell you: I have been trying that same approach in my own house. After work, I’ll shower and dress myself up and sit out on the front porch, make a couple trips to the mailbox, and I feel crazy doing it. I think to myself, people who see me on the third trip to the mailbox today probably think I’m insane. But it’s that trip out there that keeps me sane.
I’m from New York City. I miss walking and public transportation. I have to remind myself that things are different there right now too, with corona. When I arrived back to the US in the beginning of quarantine, NYC was a ghost town. JFK, Times Square, Penn Station, it was all empty and near deserted. A very apocalyptic feel to see places that are never quiet, were very quiet. The plane was empty save for 3 other passengers. The train was also empty. Arriving home was more desolate and lonely than I’ve ever experienced.
I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to work from home. I get limited external interaction and that have definitely kept me afloat too. If I didn’t have a job and was at home twiddling my thumbs, I think I would be in worse shape.
Working from home, expanding on my hobbies, and planning this wedding have been my saving graces.
If you’re working from home or plan to work from home, don’t take for granted what sunlight and social interaction can do for your mood and mental health. Even if that only means opening the blinds and windows or making an extra call to a friend. Those little things help a lot.
Muffin and Tea 