I've never worked from home before. For starters, my day job is as a receptionist, and it's bloody hard to be a receptionist when you aren't there to receive anyone. I have, during my holidays (which are largely spent at home as I can't really afford to go anywhere), attempted to do some work. Writing work, I mean. Unfortunately, it's never worked out. I sleep in... or just sleep all day. I stare at lot at the wall, or out the window. I never do work from home.
Home is not where work is in my mind, and so I find it incredibly difficult to work while I'm here.
I'm giving it a go, however. You can tell, because.I'm writing this blog post. I don't really have a home office, so I'm writing it on my mac, which lives beside the television, on a side table, because there is not room for a proper desk. My chair is a wooden rocking chair, which wins points for novelty. I'm using my lap as the keyboard rest.
I'd much rather a proper desk or a laptop, so I can at least work in my bedroom. Still, this is better than nothing, and I'm glad my ancient mac is still running well enough for me to be able to write on.
I made an effort to start my day as I normally would if I were to be going in to work. It helps that I did have to pop in the office to collect my French press and coffee bean grinder so I can have my morning coffee. So I had to get up and get dressed.
My breakfast this morning was the same it always is when I'm at work. An omelette, some fruit, a glass of milk and a tonne of coffee. I noticed when I went shopping that Oikos is now finally offering plain yogurt in their single serving cups, so I also had some yogurt this morning. In all fairness, they might have been doing that for a while now, but it's the first time I've noticed it.
The coffee I'm drinking, incidentally, is from JenEric Coffee, a local roaster (who also happens to be a good friend), who makes the best flavoured coffees. I'm currently enjoying their apple pie flavour, which I was fortunately given a sample of with my last coffee order. If you're looking for small businesses to support, and you like coffee, you really can't go wrong here.
It's Monday, which means that usually at midday, I would head to the gym. I instead will be doing a home workout from YouTube. I did one last Monday night, and holy hell, I hurt for a week. This evening, I will be attempting to do some Kung Fu practice. I don't have a lot of space for my weapons training, and it's too cold and snowy outside yet to train outside, but I can do empty hand forms, and I have a short stick that I can pretend are my longer weapons... except for staff. that one is going to be a tricky one to pretend. Still, I'll give it a shot.
I must also write a blog post for Black Gate Magazine, as I believe I have an article due up tomorrow. I've been so thrown by the whole pandemic thing that I've not thought of a possible article... but one just popped into my head just now, so I think I'll be alright there.
If I manage to finish that article, I might write a bit before doing my Kung Fu practice.
This is pretty close to my regular schedule, though it's always usually interrupted by my receptionist duties (I grab moments to write between answering the phone, collecting faxes and mail, and looking after clients).
Maybe I can do this. Maybe I can work from home.
Let's hope this attempt at a routine holds the rest of the week!
How is everyone out there coping? I truly hope you're all safe and well, and not stressed about the state of the world. Remember to stay safe and be kind.
Ciao!