Since the beginning of the pandemic in mid-March, I have been working from home. At first it was strange and kinda hard to get used to after an adulthood full of hurrying to get ready and commuting and packing lunch and making sure I have everything I need for the day. The adjustment to doing everything electronically was challenging too. In the office I printed most everything I was working on and now I save reports and spreadsheets to different files that I have set up in my computer. At the office, I have two big screens so I can work in two different programs and just look back and forth between the screens. At home, I use a laptop and I have become very good at shrinking the program screens so I can fit two programs on the screen so I don't have to flip back and forth. You adapt and continue.
For several months now I, along with the rest of my co-workers, have been splitting time between the office and home. I work in the office on Monday, Wednesday, and every other Friday. It has been fine. It is nice to see people and I still get lots of papers from various places. I usually scan them into my computer to save then recycle the paper. There are some things that are easier to do in the office, especially during the four days of month-end close or when I have to cover for a co-worker.
As much as I like my team and enjoy the benefits of being in the office, I cherish my work-at-home days. I get up at the same time, but I can allow myself the joy of getting a little extra sleep if I need it because the commute is down the stairs rather than a 30 minute drive. I'm able to take Mac for a longer walk in the morning and a longer walk in the evening instead of sitting in my car driving to and fro. There have even been some days when I start prepping dinner at lunchtime which is a total bonus.
Today was a good day. I was up around 6:00. I chatted with MT while we got ready for the day. I took Mac out for a walk around 6:45 and we were out for around 30 minutes. We walked around the neighborhood, listened to birds in the pine trees, smelled all the smells, and saw our frenemy the terrier from up the street. He was also out for a walk with his human. I'm unsure if that dog wants to play with us or chew our legs off. Terriers SMH.
My morning was productive. I was a little behind from close and from covering for one of my teammates, so it was good to get some items checked off my to-do list. I had to zip over to Walgreens to pick up some meds for T and to get some milk. T and I had lunch together - we ordered pizza. The afternoon was equally productive. I was working on a couple of projects that I'd put off and it felt good to get moving on completing those tasks. I took a ten minute break to sit on the floor and play with Mac. She appreciated it, then curled up in her bed with a fleecy blanket for a nap so I could finish my work. Just after 5:00, I shut down my computer, put on my sneakers and took Mac for a longer walk to the street east of ours, then around our neighborhood again. It was cold, but it felt good to bundle up, stretch the legs, and get some fresh air.
When we got home, it wasn't even 6:00 yet, so I had time to practice some French, write in my journal, and even read a few chapters in one of my books. After that I made dinner, cleaned up the kitchen, and I just took a nice warm shower. Now I'm enjoying a cup of nighttime tea and writing here. When I commute, I can't do all of those things. Something has to give on those days.
Today I feel fulfilled and relaxed and thankful for the days I am able to work from home. I've already been told that it is not a permanent thing, so I will enjoy being able to do so for as long as I can.
You accomplished a lot and felt good doing it. Great!
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