From Day 1 of Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia, many of us have been working from home (WFH). While this can be good news (and implementation) to some, it may be bad news to others. Well, not everyone is able to WFH as their job is more physical in nature.
Nevertheless, just keep in mind that this MCO is being implemented mainly for our health and safety. So try to throw away some of your grudges and frustration that you are feeling right now.
To tide over our trying time here is some of the positive outlooks that can be garnered while you are working from home:
Customize your own office.
Thought of doing your work on the bed today? And then maybe tonight somewhere near the window because the wind is just nice and tomorrow you complete your work at the living hall. Well, now is the perfect time!
When you are working from home, you have the freedom of choosing your own workspace. Stand on the kitchen counter, lay down on the bed or sit on the floor, anywhere that is comfortable for you! You know what makes you comfortable. You just have to be creative in order to be more productive!
In YOUR own time.
Always dreamed of having flexible working hours instead of the normal 9am to 6pm? Then you just got your wish during this period of MCO.
Remember those sleepy hours at noon after you just had your lunch? Yes, you can freely go and have that power nap when you need to now.
Are you more productive in the mornings or nights? Just choose whenever you prefer and enjoy a more productive day for yourself, at your own pace.
Work in comfortable home clothes.
Pajamas, nighties, sarongs, and even your undergarments are now your working attire! You don’t need to get up hours earlier just to get that impeccable office look anymore.
So, less time on getting ready to the office means more time on other chores and jobs. That means more time to be productive as well. Time to put aside your heels and uniforms (if you have them), and just get comfy!
Traffic jam? No more!
No communicating, no crowds and no congestion, what a way to slow down your life a bit. Wake up every morning and just breath in the peacefulness and harmony that comes with fewer humans in a small space.
If you think you are missing on things, nahhh you are wrong! Everyone is staying at home (like you are) and keeping up-to-date with the latest issue and movement.
Take this time out of the normal working environment to gain back the energy from all the tiring work you have done before.
More ‘me’ time.
Staying at home for some (especially for the introverts) is said to be some pure bliss. Remember that long-forgotten facial sheet mask and yoga mat that you bought? Well, this is the time to dig them out of the store, and start using them.
Nobody is going to say anything if you are working with a sheet mask on. You can also have your own manicure and pedicure session at home (or along with your family/housemates!).
You can also drink a cup of coffee while you indulge in a good book that you didn’t manage to finish before. This is the time to make yourself the utmost priority.
Learn new skill(s)!
This is the time to learn or sharpen those skills that have been in your ‘wishing list’. Try a different cooking style, bake a cake or try a new recipes. Take some time to redecorate your room, or rearrange the furniture in your house.
Get your kids to do it together with you. Take out those fairy lights (that have been in the dungeon) and hang them up or just get some pictures or quotes that you love and frame them.
Another way to put those creative juices to work is to dabble in the arts. Thanks to modern technologies these days, you can simply find ways to do it via YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and others.
You can try various hands-on arts such as drawing, coloring, painting, or crafting just to kick-off your artistic journey. Parents can try creative play with kids as well. Who said kids cannot paint? Use child-safe paint and have fun with your little ones. Welp, you just have to prepare for the mess ahead.
Extra saving.
Staying at home does indeed help us with saving our dough. From gas or travelling expenses, to dine-out and ‘catching up’ with friends, we are not doing any of these things thanks to the MCO. We do save a lot of money and we can save even more if we put in the effort like not ordering food from the e-hailing riders.
Plus, since we are staying at home, we have to cook on our own. Home-cooked food is always healthier and cheaper. So, prepare to get ‘down and dirty’.
Who knows that this is the time to level-up your cooking skill? These home activities also limit your spending which helps curb that nasty impulse buying habit that you might have before.
Get closer to God.
All those excuses that we don’t have enough time to spend on religious matters are now gone. The Muslims especially can get to do more ibadah. You can go for prayer earlier, and more time to read the Quran (or Bible for the Christians).
Other religions have their own religious books as well and this is the time where we can deepen our understanding of our religion.
While you are doing that, don’t forget to pray for those who are fighting the COVID-19 and to the frontliners as well. Take your time to think about others and recount your blessings.
Remember to always be grateful for what you have and for the ones that are currently sacrificing their lives in this global fight.
More time with loved ones (or Housemates).
Some of us might be staying with their family while some have to stay just where you are. Those who are staying away from their family may be staying with their friends or renting with housemates.
By being (almost) 24/7 together during this MCO, means more interaction time with each other. So, it is not going out of your way to sit and get to know more about your partner/family/housemates.
Also, this is the time to get to know each other better – some might be feeling lonely or left out. You might just be surprised at how reassuring talking to each other can be. Start the conversation and keep it going. Let them know that they are not alone.
More time to working out.
Work can be exhausting for some, and long hours of work may hinder your workout time that you have always wanted to do. Now that you are at home, working out can finally be done any time of the day, and for as long as you can.
Easier said than done? Well, just turn on your laptop and put on some zumba or aerobic videos that are exciting and fun. There are plenty of home workout routines that are available for everyone on the internet.
Blast that music and move your body to the rhythm. No one’s stopping you!
It’s time to Binge-watch!
I saved the best for last. By binge-watching, YES, it’s time to complete your Netflix series, K-Dramas, movies, or those famous Anime! Most of you are already en route, while some are still choosing which one you should watch first.
This is the time to cross-out your wishlist’s series that you have been waiting for since like, forever. Just grab any snacks or go for fruits for a healthier option, put your headphones on, and enjoy!
PS: It will be more fun if you watch it together with the entire family or your housemates.
So, there you go, a few of the positive outcomes you can get during this working from home. In times of negativity, it’s the time for us to bring the positivity forward.
People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?
Thich Nhat Hanh
It is important that we remind ourselves of how blessed we are and that life will have to get worse before it can get better. Positive thinking is a life habit, so practice and preach.
While you are working from home, don’t forget to spend some time to sanitise your house with these anti-bacterial products from Motherhood to ensure extra protection for your love ones!