For those of us who work from home there is an amazing phenomenon known as “free time.” Now, let me clarify, the time is not actually free—there are most likely things we should be doing. Whether it is actual work, returning phone calls, or folding the laundry, there is always something to do. But, if you happen to be at home and don’t have an immediate deadline and let’s say a half of a season of a show on left on your watch list –Voila! Free time!!
I will admit that I did not fully understand this phenomenon when I first began working from home. I was so thrilled that I was out of my traditional office environment. I utilized all of my down time to run errands or do all of the things I’d typically saved for weekends. I’d use my lunch hour to run to the store, pick up dry cleaning or any of the other million and one mundane tasks I used to have to do after work or on the weekends. I thought I was cheating the time/space continuum because I was getting personal things done while working.
Slowly, I became more comfortable with my work from home routine. The first step was never getting ready in the morning. This was a big middle finger to my previous in-office life. The 60-90 minutes that I spent getting dressed and ready was now all my own and I knew that I would utilize it for all of the things I’d ever dreamed of accomplishing—exercise, daily meditation, writing thought-provoking prose that would change people’s lives. In reality, it meant I slept 89 minutes later and rolled out to start working in my jammies—but I think this was also forward progress.
Phase two of my work from home life is where the real magic happened. It came in the form of connecting with other people that also worked from home. This is how I was shown the way. This is how I was able to embrace work, leisure and personal responsibilities– like working in hair and mani appointments during the weekdays. I was apprehensive at first, but my fellow at-home workers pushed me to greatness. I was advised to really be smart about my time. If I could work from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. that would free up my 10 a.m.-12p.m. time slot, which would naturally flow into my “lunch hour” because I’m not an animal and everyone deserves a break. This three-hour block would become a magical time where I could get all of my errands done for the week, schedule a crucial doctor’s appointment (read: pedicure) or binge watch at least half of a season of my latest show.
You see, if you’ve never experienced it, EVERYTHING in your life is easier to achieve Monday-Friday between the hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Have to run to Target? On Saturday morning you have to go armed with an aisle by aisle list, a re-affirmed belief that all human beings are kind in their hearts and an exit strategy. But, Target on a Tuesday morning? Nirvana. The aisles are clear, everyone is pleasant—they’re also cheating the Universe, so it’s like you’re all in your own little awesome club—“look at us, we’re buying laundry detergent on Tuesday and will have our Saturday free from dread.” This weekday Target phenomenon applies to almost anything you can think of –dentist appointment? —plenty of appointments available between 10-12! How about a government agency? Weekdays are wide open. Try to get a Saturday DMV appointment and let me know how long you’ll have to wait once you get there with the rest of humanity who is forced to sit in an office Monday-Friday. The weekday errand lifestyle allows so much more freedom, so much less stress—there’s a civility to it that makes these mundane tasks almost enjoyable. The down side is that the idea of entering a retail store on the weekend now sends me into panic mode. I begin to sweat and bargain with myself—how badly do we NEED paper towels? Couldn’t we use napkins until Monday at 9 a.m.?
That covers the tasks. I was also advised that I should limit using my 3-hour window of freedom for tasks to a maximum of two days. And, let’s face it, with the efficiency that the weekday errand offers, this should be easy. That left three full windows to fill with things of my choosing. Now, this is where things start to get good. Nine hours to do with as I wish and all alone. Also, I’m technically “working” so all guilt is alleviated.
My original plan for these hours was to develop a Tai Chi practice, scrapbook the first ten years of all three of my children’s lives and possibly volunteer for a local charity. I quickly found that this plan was ill advised because –Netflix and Prime Video. Now, let me first say that I’m not a huge TV person, I’m a writer, so given the choice I’d much prefer a book. However, this is a new world order whereby you can watch an entire series in one sitting allowing you a sense of accomplishment that is unparalleled. Also, as a writer, it’s important that I’m socially relevant. I need to be aware of what is happening in the world around me as I write—so, research. The other unique benefit is the ability to choose programs that speak to you, Queen Victoria biopic? Yes please! I’m nothing if not historically minded and it sort of counter acts the Bravo marathon that happened yesterday. My point is, no one that I live with would EVER want to watch any of these shows. So, I’m really doing everyone a service, again, my Saturday is free for what my family needs, because I’m a giver.
Now, there are perils to this lifestyle; it’s not for everyone. The truth of the matter is you have to have a level of self –discipline to run your own day. Working at home can be isolating, so you need to establish a network of people that you can actually have human contact with (if you start referring to the Real Housewives as your “friends”, you need to immediately schedule a lunch date with a human person).
Some people prefer to get up and go to an office every day, for them, that is their Nirvana. For me and a lot of my people, working a flexible schedule from home is the answer to a lot of questions during this phase of life: How can I be around for my kids? How can I still contribute financially? How can I feel like a real person with thoughts that matter? Will I one day venture back into office life? I’m not ruling it out. It has its appeal, there’s an energy that you get from working side by side with other people that can’t be replicated. It is also nice to dress yourself up and take yourself out. But, for now, I’ll see you at Target on Tuesday.