Adding to the plethora of “here’s how I do it!” posts online, this is how I (attempt) to work from home during the COVID-19 lockdown. This post is not meant to instruct you on how to maximize productivity—personally, I think there are more important things to worry about right now—rather, it’s meant to validate the emotions of those feeling similarly and (hopefully) provide someone with a new coping strategy.

1. 1. Accept that there will be bad days. Don’t feel guilty about them. A global pandemic is a big deal and your emotions likely reflect that. This should not be a source of shame. On the bad days I try to do “easy” tasks (e.g. running laundry, organizing my inbox, opening files/tabs on my computer such that there is less friction for whenever I’m ready to start working again, etc.). 
   2. Identify your “lifelines” and hold them tightly. These are grounding objects or sensations that make you feel better. If creating a list is too difficult, ask someone you love to help you. My lifelines come in all shapes: nature, butterflies, sunshine, lizards, fish tacos, dolphins, ocean, sand, waterfalls, breeze, flowers, wild fennel, and the moon. I can’t access all of these lifelines right now, but knowing they exist make me feel better. Also, I don’t need to leave my home to feel sunshine or a breeze (I just open a window!).
   3. Accept that productivity will be affected. My sleep space became my work space, my working-out space, and my decompression space. (Beaches, trails, my dance studio, and my gym are all closed, so that means my “relaxing” time moved indoors too.) With the boundaries between the different facets of my life blurred, everything is less efficient. I’m attempting to add some compartmentalization back  by treating our patio space as my new office. This change has done wonders for my mental health, but has caused some problems physically (read: patio furniture isn’t the most ergonomic). I’m incorporating more yoga into my day to combat the physical toll of this arrangement, but I haven’t found a good balance yet. Regardless, don’t see the need to adjust as a failure on your end.
   4. Add in more self-care time, preferably something active and/or outside. Now that I don’t commute, I have a few more hours in my day. Instead of taking that time to work or relax, I add in more physical activity. Admittedly, I spend a large proportion of my week working out or going on walks, but I think this is necessary. For me: Active hours do not take away from my work output; it is the opposite. It reduces my levels of stress, anxiety, and depression such that I focus better and get more done. If trying to force yourself to work isn’t panning out, try forcing yourself on a walk.
   5. Don’t feel bad about not wanting to Zoom / FaceTime / call your friends. You’ve probably been bombarded with articles talking about the ill effects of social isolation. These things are all true. However, if you don’t feel like doing virtual hangouts right now — that’s okay. All of these life-adjustments take mental energy. It’s understandable that you don’t have anything extra to give in your relationships. Communicate with your friends how you’re feeling and tell them you’ll reemerge once you find a new rhythm.
   6. Understand that some people will cope better AND worse than you. Someone else’s ability to cope should not be the standard for your ability to cope. Your ability to cope should not be the standard for others’ ability either. Everyone has different relationships with their living space and with their housemates. Furthermore, many people may be privately dealing with loss (or the potential of loss). Try exercising empathy toward others while practicing patience toward yourself.
   7. Talk to a mental health professional (if you can). Luckily, UCSD health insurance covers mental health resources. I talk to my therapist 1-2x/week over video. Check your insurance plan to see what is covered and/or if online therapy sites are an option for you (my insurance covers LiveHealth Online, but I’ve never used the service).
   8. Communicate with your adviser (if comfortable). I’m lucky that I have a dynamic with my adviser that allows for this. I know my adviser is “in my corner” and rooting for me to succeed no matter what. Partially, deciding to communicate with your adviser comes down to personal preference though. I’m maximum-honesty type of person who prefers to tell those up the chain when something is affecting workflow (and what I’m doing to circumvent it). Not communicating with my adviser would make me more stressed. (A side note: I asked my adviser about his preferred communication style before I started graduate school. I have the benefit of knowing that he and I are on the same page.) If you’re uncomfortable telling your adviser about how COVID-19 is affecting you, try asking them if they found coping strategies that worked (or didn’t work) for them during this transition! Your adviser is adjusting to Life-in-COVID too. Advisers are a wealth of information. Make the most of that!

That’s the end of my list. Be patient with yourself. You’ll find a new rhythm at some point. Wishing everyone safety.

-A.Y.