Professional change has been the theme for almost all of us recently with working habits shifting, whether that’s moving to a remote basis or to being held to different timetables and standards to accommodate COVID-19 driven precautions and demands. The past year has seen entire workforces grounded at home and this has been a different experience for everyone. Many people have described the pandemic as ‘the greatest experiment in home working that we’ve ever had’ and it has certainly been a time in which we’ve been able to push the boundaries of what’s really possible and establish new efficiencies, innovation and norms. But for many people this has meant a new kind of pressure due to all activities taking place in one location - and as a result you, like many of us, me included, may now be craving time to yourself.
The pros and cons of home working
All of us have our own view of home working and it’s very situation dependent. If you are new to your role, as a number of my clients are, or live on your own then you may have had to face challenges such as loneliness, even while at work, and feelings of isolation as you don’t yet seem that connected to your colleagues. If you’ve been home schooling and/or have a very busy household then the lack of peace or space at home could have been the issue. These are some of the pros and cons of home working that I’ve noticed coming up over the past year:
● Cons: difficult feelings, such as sadness and loneliness, especially in terms of being cut off from the social element of going into the office. Low motivation - every day feeling the same and the responsibility for structuring your own working day becoming a burden. Uncertainties over the future, including career progression and redundancy. Being constantly ‘on’ - remote working has often meant that office hours have become longer and there is no opportunity to switch off.
● Pros: the opportunity to take more control over your life and work in a way that suits your priorities. Much more flexible days and more options for fitting in exercise, relaxation etc. Being able to avoid the daily commute and what can sometimes be unhealthy office environments. Spending time in a home that you love and/or being more present with the people within it.
The Space - time just for you
Wherever you sit on the question of home working - pro or against it or somewhere in between - there is definitely a need that many of us feel right now to have some time just for ourselves. This may seem counterintuitive given that home working for some of us has been entirely about our own company. However, with work encroaching more into the home space that ‘me’ time is being increasingly excluded. Many of us don’t even notice this happening, other than an underlying feeling of tension or anxiety. This is something that one of my guests at The Space has found to be true - at the end of the experience they told me ‘I didn’t know how much I needed this until I got there.’
The Space is somewhere you can book into as a way to access the time just for you that you might be craving. Here you can take a day to yourself in a peaceful, mindful space that is away from the distractions at home. It’s an opportunity not just to relax but also to reconnect with yourself and rediscover and enjoy your own company. This may mean simply sitting in peace and being quiet or it could be thinking or writing time or the opportunity to walk and contemplate.
For almost everyone who comes there is a thought or question that they need to sit with and ponder. Many also request an hour’s conversation with me to work through this, develop their thinking, enjoy the benefits of the presence of an active listener who can also provide validation to plans as they are vocalised. Whether you have a vision you need to refine - or you simply need time away from a busy home so that you can really breathe - The Space is a unique experience and a beautifully curated space that allows you to do just that.