Like me, if you are a
normal being, you would have gone through many phases - feeling
imprisoned, excited, bored, overwhelmed, even scared of the present and
the future. You would have also felt miserable because you aren't any of
the cool stuff either. FOMO will set in. Damn, you didn't even learn a
new course from those umpteen free websites!
Same pinch!
But
there is a way to turn this around. Let's start with understanding
ourselves. On one hand, all that talk about WFH feels like a lot of
freed-up time, but on the other hand, our brain is telling us that we
are locked down in our homes and there is no free will. Every day is an
empty canvas, but also chaotic and meaningless.
Hence, start with scheduling your day.
It tricks our brains into having a sense of control. Now you are at
home all day, because you have a list of tasks to be done at home. Plus,
because the unscheduled time is the only "free" time - it becomes
valuable. Next, find a purpose to all these tasks. It will make
you think you are doing something worthwhile. Now as you move through
the day, you will get work done, and feel proud of having done it. Yay!
Next, what should you really do? Here is a hierarchy to follow.
Category #1: Survive.
Do all your routines. Get the groceries. Cook. Clean up. Do everything
that keeps you alive. Schedule time for this. The less you skip this,
the less you will feel overwhelmed and powerless.
Category #2: Socialise.
There's a very important reason why we are called social animals. And
that Harvard study also gives more details on how our connections
lengthen our lives and add to our happiness. So, go ahead and chat.
Gossip. Call up that old friend. Cry on a video call with Mom. It will
feel good.
Category #3: Selfcare. Don't jump to
doing stuff that everybody is posting and getting likes for. Rather,
start with what you were craving for during your busy days. Watch that
movie. Read that book. Listen to that playlist on loop as you cook some
dal-rice or Maggi. Whatever makes you feel cared for.
Category #4: Skill Up.
With all this stuff taken care of, it's time to look at the future.
Only the near future, though. Start building the skills that will help
you stay in your job. Learn the soft skills to become a team leader. Or
get certified with those free courses to expand your job profile. It may
feel horrible if your job was taken away, but then, you need to work
faster to get the next job. Find out about new emerging skills, and get
skilled for those. Or start learning something new for a side-hustle.
Why not!
Category #5: Serve. Even if you are more
privileged than others, don't do this from a place of guilt. You will
continue to feel guilty or ashamed, if you do that. Instead, create a
'positive' purpose around it - solidarity, gratitude, positive karma,
etc. (And don't post on social media, because you will then keep
checking for likes and comments.)
Did it work for me? Yes!
(1)
Survive: I slept a lot more, not feeling guilty about my dropping
productivity. And I changed my work hours a bit. Once I found my rhythm,
I regained my focus during "work hours", and my productivity was up
again.
(2) Socialise: I have scheduled after-dinner play time with my
family, and it works as a reminder that I am home during their awake
hours. Very fulfilling!
(3) Selfcare: Reading books and writing this
article is my way of self-care, so yeah, happy about it!
I am yet to do
something about (4), and won't discuss (5) for reasons mentioned above.
Like
everything else, this requires practice too. Keep switching between
these 5 categories. Keep what works. Throw away the rest. And start
again. Chances are you will get a lot of stuff done, and also feel good
about it.
