Post-pandemic dreamin’
Nearly 14 months into the pandemic, we can see a light at the end of the tunnel. While the light is still a bit fuzzy — will our vaccines protect us against new strains? What will the new office environment look like? Will we travel as much as we used to? Will I still be a hugger? — it is there and visible, nonetheless.
This past week was a very intense one for me. Rife with back-to-back meetings, presentations, last-minute emergencies that needed to be dealt with, and emotional strain, the Derek Chauvin trial verdict, and more, for four straight days, my Apple Watch told me that I desperately needed to take a 1-minute break to “breathe,” as my resting heart rate consistently measured very high, at rates that I typically only reach when I’m running or otherwise working out. While our bodies can withstand stress, research shows that we are not meant to be under high stress for extended amounts of time, and that can lead to conditions like high blood pressure. Eek. So after my last presentation of the week at a virtual conference on Saturday, I closed my computer and took an hour-long nap. When I woke up, I caught up on the latest Housewivesepisode, and then spent several hours reading articles and catching up on the books I’m currently reading.
It was nice and relaxing, and got me down to a more manageable, steady state of calm that my mind and body prefer me in. Still, I couldn’t help but remember that my frenzied, pre-pandemic schedule left no room for this kind of relaxation (a nap!? I’d never have the time, and would feel too much FOMO anyway. I’d rather yawn through dinner).
Now, as we begin to envision life coming out of the pandemic, I am starting to explore what I’d like my new life to look life. What are the parts of a quieter lifestyle that I’d like to keep? What have I learned about setting boundaries? Here’s where I’ve landed with my wishlist so far:
- I’d like to have the option to work in the office with my colleagues for a couple of mornings per week. Going in in the morning to get things done and have meetings with my team would be great; being able to finish out the work day at home where I can focus and don’t have to be distracted by others is a bonus. (By the way, I don’t blame my coworkers, I blame myself — I’m not the type of person that can sit near other people and be silent; I’d rather work alone, because if I’m physically near someone, I feel the need to speak with them. Just me?) Working on teams that span multiple time zones means video and audio can be effective tools, and I don’t necessarily need to have back-to-back in-person meetings all day, as I used to. This more limited schedule in the office also ensures that I’m not spending countless hours on public transit or in traffic.
- Make plans to separate the work day and ensure it doesn’t run on and on and on and on… The valuable part of having a commute was having time to disconnect and unwind a bit, by force, to provide some separation from the workday. Scheduling workout classes with a friend or a phone date right at the end of the work day ensures that I am required to end work at a particular time. I’ll always need to sign back on to prepare for the next day, but booking a workout, going for a run while it’s still daylight, or making plans with one other person ensures I am accountable for signing off at a particular time and not letting the work day extend indefinitely.
- Keep traveling, but travel less. Pre-pandemic, I was on a plane roughly every three weeks, usually for work, not necessarily for vacation. I look forward to being able to take more fun trips, and even leveraging working from anywhere more often (I’ve always wanted to be able to take a few months off in a year — sort of emulating an academic year approach — to do other types of work like writing, and being able to work from another, say, sunny location, makes you at least feel like you’re in your off season.) And I look forward to enjoying the time when I’m at home to leverage activities nearby for day trips and activities — including getting outdoors regularly — that don’t require too much planning and stress.
- This should also help me get sick less often. Without fail, pre-pandemic, I got some kind of cold or other bug every few weeks (see a trend, here?). However, over a year of social distancing has meant that I haven’t had a cold or gotten sick since my last time traveling. Wow. I hope to be able to keep up healthy habits that ensure I get enough sleep and am not in close quarters with too many strangers too often.
- I hope this also means I am more selective with my social engagements, and savor the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO) feeling. This means more quiet time at home to read, write, do yoga, go running, and reflect, all things that keep me calm and happy.
Turning these dreams into realities won’t always be easy, but setting the vision for myself now will help ensure I set up the right schedule and boundaries to remain focused on these goals.
