July 17, 2020

COVID 19: Tale of a Pandemic

Day 130 - As I lounge here, a self hostage to my humble abode, thinking of the world outside and the new 'normal' and still feeling perplexed at how 2020 has been shaping up.

The wife and I have been very privileged to still have a gig and continue to work from home ever since this absurdity that we know as COVID-19 hit the shores of Toronto.

The general perception back in early January was similar to this being a common flu that would pass with time. I wasn't worried and carried on with my mundane life without ever realizing how it was gripping the world east of us. It wasn't too long after, that the western hemisphere saw a sharp ascend in cases and the S&P 500 plunging ~ 35%, figures close to the Great Depression. Yikes!

Companies moved 100% remote, laid off a bunch of folks, small businesses largely affected and shut down due to federal and provincial restrictions. Those who managed, opened online shops and barely survived, many more perished at the hands of a virus we didn't understand.

After my company moved remote, came the fear of performing and presenting from home. Like me, some had arrangements and found the right spot, while others struggled and made peace with working at the kitchen counter. When the commotion settled, came the exhaustion, burnout and anxiety arising from being 'available' through the day.

Suddenly calendars starting filling up, the usual 15 min catchup's were now moved online and technology influenced 90% of my workday. To keep everything contained and maintain my sanity, I eventually had to establish fix working hours for the workweek and took every opportunity to get away from a screen.

The initial struggles of switching to working remotely brought some benefits as well. My long commute to work went down to zero, and by driving less I saved a bunch of money. Morning's felt less rushed and I could focus better on starting the day. With extra time, I could even finish up some DIY house projects and gained some serious, I mean SERIOUS brownie points with the wife for cooking more often.

If history has taught us anything, pandemics like COVID19 are temporary and will pass. Things can and will go wrong, people will change, but in the end, life as we know it will prevail, eventually enabling our return to a new 'normal' that will dictate how we move forward and evolve in this brave new world. Until then, stay home stay safe.  

July 17, 2020

COVID 19: Tale of a Pandemic

Day 130 - As I lounge here, a self hostage to my humble abode, thinking of the world outside and the new 'normal' and still feeling perplexed at how 2020 has been shaping up.

The wife and I have been very privileged to still have a gig and continue to work from home ever since this absurdity that we know as COVID-19 hit the shores of Toronto.

 
The general perception back in early January was similar to this being a common flu that would pass with time. I wasn't worried and carried on with my mundane life without ever realizing how it was gripping the world east of us. It wasn't too long after, that the western hemisphere saw a sharp ascend in cases and the S&P 500 plunging ~ 35%, figures close to the Great Depression. Yikes!

Companies moved 100% remote, laid off a bunch of folks, small businesses largely affected and shut down due to federal and provincial restrictions. Those who managed, opened online shops and barely survived, many more perished at the hands of a virus we didn't understand.

After my company moved remote, came the fear of performing and presenting from home. Like me, some had arrangements and found the right spot, while others struggled and made peace with working at the kitchen counter. When the commotion settled, came the exhaustion, burnout and anxiety arising from being 'available' through the day.

Suddenly calendars starting filling up, the usual 15 min catchup's were now moved online and technology influenced 90% of my workday. To keep everything contained and maintain my sanity, I eventually had to establish fix working hours for the workweek and took every opportunity to get away from a screen.

The initial struggles of switching to working remotely brought some benefits as well. My long commute to work went down to zero, and by driving less I saved a bunch of money. Morning's felt less rushed and I could focus better on starting the day. With extra time, I could even finish up some DIY house projects and gained some serious, I mean SERIOUS brownie points with the wife for cooking more often.

If history has taught us anything, pandemics like COVID19 are temporary and will pass. Things can and will go wrong, people will change, but in the end, life as we know it will prevail, eventually enabling our return to a new 'normal' that will dictate how we move forward and evolve in this brave new world. Until then, stay home stay safe.

Inspired by the wife - Again, brownie points for including this statement