A Pandemic’s effect on Life as we know it
Rainy days like today, as I look out of my room’s window, I can see the rain droplets falling fast. I hear it hitting the roof hard, almost unfriendly. As I wrap myself in my duvet and itemize my deliverables for the day, I am reminded of a time when rain or shine, I had to leave my house for the office at 5 am.
My mind drifts to a time before the Corona Virus pandemic when I would have had no choice but to get on the road and get to work. Getting to work, everyone would be wearing a fancy but corporate sweater on top of their shirts and gowns. Those who weren’t would gather at the kitchenette to prepare a hot cup of tea while they chat about how bad the traffic on routes to work has gotten. It always ended with a prayer that God will help us.
Days like that, I would ponder endlessly, do I need to be in a designated office space to get a certain job done? Do I have to get drenched hoping out of my ride to work and running into the office with the Security guards showing me sympathy and almost giving me a hug. I always smiled wide in return to reassure them that I was fine.
One of those days, a colleague and I were discussing how absurd it was to leave our home by 5 am to arrive at 5.30 am and get some rest in the car park. The other option was to leave our home by 7 pm and arrive at work at 10 am because of the traffic. So the sensible thing we did was to set out at 5 am everyday. I knew then and there that the next job I was going to take was one that would allow me to work remote.
The journey home didn’t spare us, especially rainy Fridays. Help me understand how a journey of 25 minutes became 4 hours. That particular Friday, after closing work at 7 pm, I sat at the window and watched the traffic build in front of my eyes.
People were in a hurry to go spend the weekend with their loved ones and put the long work week behind them. Others were probably going to turn up (that’s how we say party or club).
I’d go from looking out and calling my friends that already set out to checking Google Maps every now and then. I finally left the office at 11.30 pm. If it was any other weekday, a lot of people would have passed the night in their cars but a Friday night on your bed at home is the best way to enter the weekend. Of course, until the cycle begins again.
Then the Corona Virus pandemic happened, haqhaqhaq, we are all too familiar with this part as it’s still ongoing. I never knew my folks were so restless, always needing a reason to go out. If it wasn’t to church, it was to the market or their place of work. The Federal Government’s lock down order really took a toll on people. Organizations were forced to operate remotely.
After the lock down order was lifted, I went into another battle convincing my Manager that I’m better off working from home with the ever rising cases of infections. I can tell you that I have been more productive with work, I have not been stressed out or exhausted physically. There’s more family time. I have been able to invest in myself and my craft and it is paying off hugely!
I didn’t need the rainy days, horrible traffic and worst of all, a pandemic to see that remote is the future. Not sure why some organizations are so invested in the traditional workforce. At least, make it an option. The only constant thing is change and individuals and organizations, we need to evolve.
So as I reflect today, my heart goes out to those in situations that are hurting them but necessary for the time being to keep body and soul together, those battling the virus — the patients, heath workers, families of these people, those striving to ensure that their businesses blossom rather than go under, those who have lost their jobs because their employers have had to reduce cost or their industry has taken a hit, those who have taken this as an opportunity to make something better of their lives and many more.
I want to say well done for the strength you have shown and keep showing. I and a lot more people with their voices in this post, thank you and encourage you.
Remember, tough times don’t last, tough people do.
