She Strengthens

Navigating the Chaos: A New Reality of Working from Home

As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, our daily lives have been turned upside down. The NBA season came to a halt, music festivals were canceled, and indoor dining became a distant memory. Celebrities and royalty announced they’d tested positive, and the internet was flooded with productivity tips, including the infamous “when Shakespeare was quarantined” quote. But in times of crisis, what seems like good advice one week can quickly become hurtful policing the next.

The Pressure to Perform

We’re expected to “thrive” and “hustle” during a pandemic, but this can manifest physically. Stress can lead to acne, “sick hair,” and other symptoms. Kallie Tiffau, a musician and tattoo artist from New Orleans, emphasizes that pressuring ourselves with unrealistic timelines and enforcing meaningless cultural rules can be counterproductive. Making time for self-care is essential, but not if it’s done to pretend we’re not in a time of necessity and survival.

The Importance of Coping Skills

Research has shown that people who perceive their daily life as overly stressful are more likely to die prematurely. Coping skills are crucial, but etiquette is not a coping mechanism. Carolyn Aldwin, director of the Center for Healthy Aging Research at Oregon State University, notes that it’s not the number of hassles that’s detrimental, but rather our perception of them.

The Reality of Working from Home

While some worry about their dog interrupting their video calls, others are struggling to make do without essential setups like WiFi, laptops, or quiet spaces. The poster child for this new WFH lifestyle shouldn’t be a young, privileged individual sipping coffee while working from a comfortable home office. It should be someone stressed out, wondering how to pay their rent, care for sick family members, or survive in a toxic environment.

The Mental Toll

Emily Rems, managing editor for BUST magazine, admits that the mental part is the hardest. Even during her time off, she finds little rest at home. H, a registered nurse in New Orleans, takes Xanax and antidepressants to cope with anxiety, but still experiences overwhelming moments. We’re all doing our best right now, even if it doesn’t feel like much.

The Lucky Minority

Less than 30% of American workers could or did work from home before the pandemic. Those who do get to self-isolate while making an income are in the lucky minority. As stay-at-home orders go into effect, “nonessential” businesses close, and many suffer severe income losses, it becomes clear who and what keeps our systems functioning – and most aren’t work-from-home gigs.

The True Essential Workers

Most people making minimum wage are either in the epicenter of the pandemic or working in high-risk areas while managing customers’ anxieties. Mason Hereford, a New Orleans chef, notes that if you’re struggling to cope with your new life working from home, you can at least be thankful that your time isn’t spent fighting for government engagement to address your needs as a furloughed worker.

A New Normalcy

Everyone’s best looks different. Let’s work together to keep each other sane, safe, fed, and – if the world allows – happy. As we try to maintain whatever new normalcy we can patch together, use this daily mantra: “I’m doing my best.” And assume the person on the other end of the camera, no matter what’s going on, is trying too.