Returning to the old routine
We may still be in lock-down, but as an essential worker, I now have to return to the office. This brings with it a number of emotions, the main one being that I feel stressed out about having to change my routine yet again!
While at home, I have been keeping on top of my daily household tasks, as well as decluttering, sorting my wardrobe, working on my writing and my TEFL.
What will happen now I am back to work? Well, we all know the answer to that!
I returned home Monday evening and no dishes had been done, the settee bed was still out, and no-one had emptied the dryer. I was in no way surprised, but a little disappointed that the house appeared to be returning to its pre-lock down disorder and that instead of working on things I wanted to do after work, I would have to make up for the 9 hours a day I am not home.
Tuesday was an improvement – the dishes had been done at least – and I have been able to sit and get some writing done. Long term though, if this is going to be my life going forward, I need to sort my routine and make life a bit easier.
Create a simple daily routine
As you will know if you have spent any time here at ‘Polly’s Pad’, Lists are a passion of mine. So what better way to get back into a ‘workplace mindset’ than with a list of my top 5 tips for helping you create a daily routine that will help get you through these trying times. Perhaps this is an opportunity for you to adapt; you don’t have to go back to the old ways of working. Create a simple new routine that works for you. Remember, change is good for you.
1) Be prepared
As someone who has finally sorted their wardrobe, this is an easier task for me now.
I have picked out my 5 outfits to wear this week. This way I will not have to spend any time making any kind of sartorial decisions in the morning. Instead, I can get up, put the kettle on, get ready, sit and have a drink and leave on time. (This morning I had time to put on make-up! Totally unheard of most mornings.)
For an added bonus, prepare your bag and everything you need to take with you. My work pass is in my handbag, the book I’m reading at lunchtime is in my tote, even my shoes are lined up ready. If everything is ready for you in the morning, it makes life so much easier, and less stressful.
2) Have a limited to-do list
The most important thing we can have is a plan – plans get you to where you want to be. A to-do list is a plan, of sorts, but people tend to put far too much on them. That, or they write on things they’ve already done just so they can cross them off (I’m on to you!)
This is a different kind of to-do list. It will have just 3 things on it. Things that you want to happen today, or that have to be done. They can be as simple as: “Must put bins out”, “Look up how much it cost’s to hire a skip” or “Do a load of washing”
These are the only things you HAVE to do today. If you get them done, you have had a successful day. Why over burden yourself? Start off slow until you feel you are ready to take on more. And if some of the tasks didn’t get done? Let’s have a look at some options…
3) Delegate tasks at home
If you are lucky (?!?) enough to live with others then there is no reason why you should be doing everything. But then, are you really expected to?
People are often quick to point out that no-one has done a certain task, but were other people aware of it? Have you asked them to do it, or do you stand around tutting in a passive-aggressive way, muttering ‘well, I guess I’ll do all the dishes then’!
Most of the time (well, some of the time) people will help out, albeit begrudgingly in some cases. But if you don’t ask – or tell, in some instances- then you can’t be surprised when what you wanted didn’t happen.
4) Let it go
You can’t do it all, and you shouldn’t have to. If 5 people are making the mess, then 5 people should be helping clear it. Sometimes you try the whole ‘delegating’ thing and it just doesn’t happen.
In the past, I have tried rotas, threats, screaming, offering bribes… Sometimes others just don’t care about things as much as you do. So your options are: be the martyr and do it all yourself, or choose your battles. If that means going to bed with the dishes still not done, perhaps you should just go with it, once in a while.
5) Ask yourself why are you stressed?
Take time out to consider the triggers to your stress. What does your Life/ work balance actually look like? Before lockdown, I was beginning to think that my job was a major stress factor in my life. As I felt calmer once I was at home for a few weeks, this seemed to confirm the case to me.
But on returning I realised that what actually stressed me out, was coming home to a mess, and then being too tired to get on with the things I wanted to do.
While I had been at home I had been able to keep on top of all the jobs I wanted to do around the house, was able to read, write, and fit a few crafts in. I was able to ‘Zoom’ friends and chat, and still had time for Netflix.
Creating a balance that works for you is very important. My workplace is open to exploring the possibility of flexible hours, or of working remotely. If your workplace can’t offer you a suitable balance, perhaps you need to consider if it somewhere you want to stay longterm.
Maybe it is time for something new? If the idea of going somewhere fills you with dread and trepidation you need to seriously consider why you are going there. Use this time to really think about what you want to spend your time doing. And if you feel you really need a plan? Well, I have a post for that.
Over to you
We are living in strange times.
Everything has changed, and it is unlikely to return to how it has been.
Relationships have changed; how businesses and people communicate and interact with each other has evolved to include new technologies. We are all going to have to adapt to a different way of life. And it is easier if you have a plan.
What changes have you had to embrace? What have you put in place to maintain a semblance of routine? Let us know in the comments.