What got us through lockdown?

It’s safe to say that the last two years have been odd, actually, it’s been more than odd - they’ve been utterly bizarre. It’s been tough in so many ways, hasn’t it? Mentally and physically, from trying to get our heads around a global pandemic to making huge adjustments in our lives, to the way we work being turned on its head. The face masks, queuing for shops, rules of six, hand sanitisers, keeping two metres apart… It’s been surreal. So how did we all cope?

We asked three DeskLodgers for pieces of advice, inspiration and the routines that helped get them through the COVID Years... This is what they said:

Ed Rowberry, from BBRC

What kept you motivated during the lockdowns?

Daily exercise, good sleep, taking a day at a time, spending quality time with family, trying to practice being patient!

Did you pick up a new hobby or interest with some of the extra time you had?

Re-learning the guitar.

What was the one thing that helped you to adapt to working more from home?

Got a lockdown dog. It meant I could go out every day for a walk! Meet Benji!

Sarah Roberts, from SR Consulting

What kept you motivated during the lockdowns?

Creating structure in my day. Whether that was leaving the house to work from DeskLodge (when we were allowed of course!), planning a walk after work or making sure I took out time every day for lunch.

Did you pick up a new hobby or interest with some of the extra time you had?

Not really, I now know the downs in Clifton like the back of my hand, after walking there pretty much every day. I also invested more time in cooking nice meals and trying new things. 

What was the one thing that helped you to adapt to working more from home?

Better Wi-Fi and moving house to a place with phone signal! 

Isaac David, from Voyedge

What kept you motivated during the lockdowns?

I decided to change from a hotdesk to a permanent desk which allowed me to come in. Just having a regular schedule of coming in for work made such a big difference.

Did you pick up a new hobby or interest with some of the extra time you had?

As everything I did socially was closed, this gave me the extra space to take some Italian classes remotely and have a go at playing the Guitar and Piano.

What was the one thing that helped you to adapt to working more from home?

Coming into DeskLodge made such a difference to my professional and mental wellbeing. Additionally, going for a walk at lunchtime has made a  big difference.

 Molly Rokins – ITEC Basingstoke

What kept you motivated during the lockdowns?

If I'm being honest at the beginning I had not been motivated and had awful mental health because of how completely unstructured and unknown the lockdown/pandemic was. But then I reached out to my GP and people around and that really gave me the support and motivation to get through the lockdowns. It echoes the importance of having a support system around you that you can reach out to confidently and comfortably.

Did you pick up a new hobby or interest with some of the extra time you had?

I reconnected with my graphic design and illustration skills and branched out my graphic design business by offering more of a consumer led product of custom minimalist prints, that kept me very busy and still does in the present.

What was the one thing that helped you to adapt to working more from home?

I think the most important thing I learnt, that massively aided me working from home was being able to create a clear boundary of work life to personal life. Having this boundary massively improved my mental health as I was giving myself the time to switch off from work and relax.

Jonathan Tate – Symmetry Corporate Finance

What kept you motivated during the lockdowns?‍

I found lockdown hard, I have to say. I was fortunate though to be with my family in our nice home & garden. So I tried to stay grateful for that and spare a thought for those less fortunate who were maybe stuck alone in small flats for long periods.

Did you pick up a new hobby or interest with some of the extra time you had?  

I tried doing some of the things I often tell myself I don’t have the time for – reading classical literature and recording music – but mainly discovered how important my growing business is to me, so gave my work extra focus.

What was the one thing that helped you to adapt to working more from home?

Podcasts and Delta Blues playlists! I know that’s two things, but you get my drift.

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