Working From Home Blues

[Prudie]

Is anyone in the same situation as me and can offer some support and encouragement? I normally go to work all week, I have my own office and spend a lot of time on a PC but also attend lots of meetings and interact with a lot of work colleagues face to face. There's the usual laughs and banter and gossip at the smoking shelter. I am really down about having to work at home, it's really hard to sit in a room on my own with only a laptop and a phone. I've only done it for just over a week but each day is worse than the previous, finding it very hard to come to terms with especially as we are bombarded daily with this going on for months. Anyone else not enjoying working from home?

[Maydup]

Its a big shift and doesnt suit everyone so dont be hard on yourself Prudie. I'm hopeless at WFH, I get down, I cant concentrate and I resent work intruding on my home space.

Sometimes I put some music on, or the radio an make the room feel a bit more occupied. Take regular breaks, drink plenty and keep hydrated. And then go for a walk and remember that it wont be forever. We are lucky to have jobs, we're safe in our homes and not stranded abroad, and hopefully virus free. Its tough WFH but its really just the same issue of isolation thats effecting many people at the moment. Keep going and stay safe.

[Prudie]

Just want to thank everyone for their input. Yes I know I'm way better off than many people, I do realise - and feel particularly bad for those of you keeping children entertained at home, that is my idea of a nightmare. It's just a mental thing I can't control. A bit like telling people to pull themselves together, easier said than done.

[douglas9401]

Unless those people think they're a pair of curtains.

[iluvmargie]

ZM at 22:06 and 22:41 you have really brightened up this thread NOT!

[TonyV]

Morning Prudie, we are both retired now, been put in Government imposed isolation for 12 weeks, it's difficult / frustrating not having any face to face contact, but we will get by.

[Prudie]

Hi Tony, my in-laws and next door neighbours are in the same situation and being very positive about it, probably like you. I do admire you all.
I'm not self-isolating or anything just using the dining room as an office, expected to be working all day or at least contactable on a laptop.

[jno]

TonyV, I think it's easier for retired people, partly because they've had experience of being at home all day, perhaps alone, perhaps in the company of a spouse. But also because they don't have work to do. Prudie is still trying to work but finding it difficult because it's unfamiliar. Thirty years ago I might well have felt the same.

There are some tips here but I imagine Prudie is aware of them already

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51868894

[Zacs-Master]

I’m around 75% sure I’ll be made redundant at the end of all this. I see Mrs Zacs go off every day to work in a hospital. My dog died just over a month ago. My 85 year old mum is on her own and beginning to run out of food. I was supposed to retire in 3 years but that now looks unlikely.

There are thousands of people far worse off than me.

A 33 year old plumber (and a couple of friends) with terminal cancer, who’s wife is pregnant with their first child, has set up a plumbing advice line in York to help people solve plumbing / boiler problems.

I hope you can adapt to your situation, Prudie.

[TonyV]

Prudie, it's for the best, Jen is classed to be in a high vulnerability group, so for her isolation had already started before the Government guidelines, I guess I am included to prevent any chance of myself contracting the virus. WFH must be difficult as we are naturally social animals.

[TonyV]

jno not at home all day, I miss going to the community groups that I volunteer at, that have been closed.

[jno]

we're pretty much at home all day apart from supermarket sorties. But we have a garden, and sunshine, which helps.