After 6 weeks of being locked down, I’ve reflected on what I’ve learnt and it’s not what I expected.
- I’m less stressed. Despite this situation feeling ‘stressful’ both personally and professionally, my average daily resting heart rate has dropped from 56 bpm to 52 bpm. I am astounded by this. It goes to show how much strain my body was under from just living my hectic, commuting, pre-lock-down, life.
- Crisis situations bring out the best people. Whether it’s work colleagues, family, friends or communities, there are so many examples of people pulling together and looking after each other. People think London has no sense of community. As it turns out, that’s not true.
- It’s hard for everyone but in different ways. For me, it’s a huge challenge to continue to deliver in my day job that I love whilst also looking after my children and supporting their learning. For others it’s caring for vulnerable or unwell family and for some what’s really difficult is being completely alone. We all need support and we all need empathy.
- My kids are far more independent than I realised. And this is excellent news. In addition to the quality time my partner and I spend with them, they are doing more together, without us. Studying, playing, getting themselves ready for the day or for bed, helping around the house or with meal preparation. Long live their new found independence and support for each other.
- I’m finding pleasure in small things. Maybe it’s because I’m not so rushed or perhaps I’m being more mindful when I do things, but I’m finding enjoyment where I didn’t think it existed. Surveying the clean carpet after I’ve vacuumed it never felt so satisfying!
- Practically all office jobs can be done remotely. To the ‘nay sayers’ of agile working – the proof is in the pudding. It turns out you can do almost every job in our organisation remotely. And it’s not just work, my children – in addition to their school work – are having music lessons, choir practise and musical theatre all remotely. Permanent shifts on the horizon across workplaces on this front I hope.
- I am more focused in online meetings when I stand up. Even for the most motivated of employees, it’s hard to maintain concentration in long online meetings. I find I am able to listen more carefully when I am standing rather than sitting, or better still when I am pacing back and forth. An added benefit is it’s much healthier for you to be on your feet.
- There are people I miss seeing in person I wasn’t expecting to. Of course, we are all missing being with family and friends, and close colleagues, but there are people I used to see at work or on the school run that I am unexpectedly missing seeing in person. I think that says a lot about them and that warms my heart.
What is clear is we’ll never get this time back. I know it’s tough, and for those who have lost loved ones during this tragic period, I am deeply sorry. For those like me though, who have been fortunate enough not to have lost friends or family, I think we should keep focused on the fact that we will probably never get another period like this in our lives. So no matter how tough it seems, I am trying to remember how special it is to be able to eat so many family meals together, to have a window into my children’s education, to have e-nights out with people I wouldn’t otherwise have seen for weeks or maybe months, and to simply enjoy a slower pace of life.
The question for us all is, given what we’ve learnt, what will we do when the lock-down ends? Do we revert back to the old normal or can we forge a new normal for ourselves and shape our lives to be less hectic, healthier, and more fulfilling? I certainly intend to try.
About the Author: Claire Fox is an author of ‘Work-Life Symbiosis’, mother of two, and Chief Operating Officer at Unicef UK. Her vision is a world where everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential. What is she all about? Changing the world for the better, a tiny bit at a time. Getting the most out of work and life. Being kind to everyone. Taking care of the people you love. Being fit and healthy. And laughing as much as possible.
Source: 8 things I’ve learnt from lock-down
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