One of our Art Producer friends, Hannah Wolfert, recently shared some tips for keeping your sanity during this pandemic. Aside from channeling her creativity into building multifunctional outfits, coordinated with her sweatpants, Hannah has also written in the style of Peanuts’ character Lucy, sitting at her makeshift booth offering psychiatric help, What follows is her prescription.
For the past eight years, I’ve worked from home. Six of those years were spent working and living, 24/7, next to my husband in a one-bedroom apartment. I understand that this working from home situation is new, scary, and overwhelming to some. While I’m not a trained professional, I’m here to help.
Tip 1
Your work from home schedule and office schedule won’t be the same. The sooner you realize this, the better off you’ll be. Be more flexible with your schedule and start thinking of your time more organically. Ask your co-workers to do the same. The corporate world, or whatever it is you do, will not come crashing down if you take a break in the middle of the afternoon to get some fresh air or attempt to teach your child Common Core math – by the way, good luck with that. As my dear Mr. Wolfert will always remind me, “It’s advertising. You’re not performing brain surgery. You’re not saving lives”. It’s OK to step away.
Tip 2
Don’t give up on basic hygiene. I learned this one the hard way when I lived in Portland, OR and was mistaken for a homeless person in front of the Safeway on NW Lovejoy. I know you’re juggling a few things navigating your new WFH schedule, and educating your children, all while googling how to make a gourmet meal out of the random can of kidney beans and tofurky roast you panic-bought last week. Trust me, take 20 minutes for yourself to take a shower and put on some real clothes. Putting yourself together will make you feel better. Plus, you’ll be more alert and clear-headed. An additional bonus; your family won’t try to quarantine you in the basement.
Tip 3
HUZZAH! If you made it to Friday without maiming or killing a family member or beloved pet. Congrats if you didn’t take up chain-smoking – because, let’s face it, at this point, that’s not what’s gonna kill you. Way-to-go, if you didn’t somehow alienate all of your co-workers or friends while social distancing. You deserve to treat yoself! It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!
Thank you, Hannah, for your sage advice and sense of humor during this trying time. May we all move away from living in our pajamas all day long. Check out the Dear Art Producer episode where Syneos Health’s Hannah is our guest.
A special thanks to Cade Martin for the cover image.
