HCD Blog

Working from home the past few weeks has given me the space to reflect on the person I want to be and, in some cases, haven’t had the time to be in recent years. As I remind myself that this too shall pass, I’m trying to focus on identifying and redefining my guiding principles, so that when we do return to “normal life”, I have a clear picture of what it is I want that to be.

Defining values

I’ve realized that instead of reflecting and focusing on one task or goal at a time, I often become distracted by busy work and competing priorities. Spending time at home with my family has reminded me that family life and family values are at the core of who I am as a person. This has been a grounding realization and an important reminder to set purposeful intentions and goals, so that I can give my work the attention it needs, focus my time on the most impactful projects and decisions, and avoid spreading myself too thin or sacrificing my quality of thought by multitasking.

Commitment to holistic wellness

The last few weeks have also reignited my commitment to holistic wellness, including self care. For me this means a combination of nutrient dense meals, good sleep, periods of activity (both physical and intellectual), and periods of rest and relaxation. The recipe is unique for everyone, but I’ve found that centering my days around the elements most important to me have enabled me to look and therefore feel my best throughout a uniquely stressful couple of months.

The importance of creating space

Finally, the past month has forced me to create space to savour the small things. I take huge joy in my morning cup of coffee and my run around the lake — and while I’ve always appreciated my routine, I bring a different perspective to these small moments right now. Things like cuddling and reading a book with my children, that I so rarely have time to do, have become some of the most meaningful parts of my day, and have had the greatest impact on my stress levels. My ability to savour and steep in the emotion and experience has become greater by the day, and is something I plan to take with me when it is time to shift back towards a new normal.

None of us have a playbook by which to navigate these strange times. We’re all doing our best — and that it’s okay if that looks different for everyone. These three lessons weren’t ones I expected to learn as we made the transition to working from home almost a month ago, but they are lessons I hope never to lose sight of.

What have you learned throughout our physical distancing phase so far? We would love to hear from you.