Learning to work from home is going to be a challenge. For some of us, it’s going to mean a major change of routine – but there are many upsides too. For instance, the dress code is great.
The commute is not much further than a short walk down the hallway. And avoiding rush hour traffic usually means trying not to trip over the cat.
It’s also an opportunity to rediscover one of nature’s best kept secrets (something the cat knew all along) – the power of napping.
For years we’ve been burning the proverbial candle at both ends. But exploring a more flexible schedule means that we can listen to our bodies more closely, and give ourselves the rest we deserve, when we deserve it. Even if you don’t actually sleep, a little quiet time on the sofa or in bed could do you a power of good.
It’s also an invitation for us to get creative. To turn our shower time into an opportunity for self care – to take care of our home with attention. To make our morning pot of tea and answer emails with a sense of purpose. Being at home is not about being lazy (well, not all the time) – it’s about learning how to make our homes our sanctuaries.
We can use this time to remember all of the possibilities in our lives, and why those are motivating us to support ourselves and one another. No crisis can’t be weathered when our homes, our neighbourhoods, and our communities become motivated by their awareness of the common good.
There’s awareness of the birds too, who sing more clearly now that the traffic is slowing down. Awareness of the light moving, and the wind blowing, and the house calling for stillness. Being in our homes creates the space for us to explore what it really means to be “at home” in our bodies, in our communities, and in our world.
How am I part of my total environment? And what does that relationship feel like?
Right now, we’re being asked to live, work, and interact in very different ways. It is a big change. However, there is a promise of something better on the horizon. Valuable insight about ourselves and our environment are emerging from this.
Above all, kindness is key. Let’s be kind to one another, wash our hands, and embrace life.
Pete Farrugia is a Trainee Gestalt Psychotherapist. In his profession he explores the intersection of psychosocial wellbeing, spiritual development, and creative expression.