Many of you have been working from home for about a week because of COVID-19. How has it been going? What are some of the struggles you’re facing or things you’re really enjoying?
Here is my biggest struggle with working from home:
The lack of social interaction. I crave human interaction and conversation so it’s very difficult for me to spend the entire day by myself.
Here’s my favorite thing about working from home:
My flexible hours. If I need to go to the doctor, I go. If some work on the farm needs to be done, I can do it while the sun shines (aka, making hay).
My biggest struggle is one that many of you are facing now. Social isolation. You’re DYING to get outside and meet up with friends or go visit family. (Trust me, I’m right there with you.) Unfortunately, you can’t do that right now.
Here are ways I get my social interaction by never leaving the house:
- Marco Polo. It’s an app that allows you to record video with friends and family and they can respond when they have time. It’s like Face time, but on everyone’s own time. It’s a game changer!
- Weekly ‘wine’ dates with friends. We lay out a certain time, each week, that we all leave open to get on Face time, drink our wine and just discuss anything and everything.
- Playing board games with my husband. Admit it, most of us come home from work, eat dinner and watch our favorite show on Netflix. By playing a board game, we’re laughing, joking, talking and enjoying time with each other.
- To stay-in-touch with family, I do a weekly Facebook Messenger Video call. My nieces love using their tablet and it allows me to stay a part of their lives and learn what is happening. I also do this with my parents.
- Daily group texts. Yes, this isn’t as personal, but it allows you to have a conversation and do something besides work. I have a group of friends that are all in a group text. We check on each other, send funny memes, or simply, just tell them something funny. It’s a great way to make talk during the work hours (like you would with other employees), but get your work done.
I hope you found these solutions helpful and they’re enjoying the extra time with the family in your home and learning some new technology to improve your communication with people outside of your home.
If you’re looking for ways to make working from home easier, check out my other blog posts.
-Kellie
