All by myself...

By Samantha Pogson, Senior Consultant

As I walked out of the office on Friday 13^th March, little did I know what I was about to experience. You could simply say it has been a roller-coaster of emotional and personal examination since.

As an Australian set up in the UK, I live half-way around the world from my family. During this time, it has only amplified the physicality of that space. With a two-week trip cancelled in late March, my disappointment and anger were clearly evident as I had to break the news to my parents. 

To top that off, I’m also living alone in my three-bedroom flat. I have literally become Bridget Jones.

The first week working from home was horrible; I was lonely, sad and scared. I had good friends move back home and I really felt victimised by the situation. As we have just entered week six, I’m glad to say I have actually come around to the situation and finding the silver linings where I can. 

Luckily as a creature of habit, I’ve found a great way to structure my day in order to keep a sense of normality. A morning walk in Battersea Park is followed by a takeaway coffee (shout out to Sendero on Queenstown Road) then I’m at my desk by 8:45. A full day of work takes me through to 5:30pm and then it’s off to the fitness studio (AKA the kitchen) for a HIIT class followed by dinner and bed at roughly 9:30pm.

The weekends consist of being a tourist in my own city. Just this past weekend I cycled past Buckingham Palace to Regents Park and back through Hyde Park. Living in London is brilliant; I’m constantly blown away by the beautiful buildings, the people and the history. 

Working from home alone has certainly has its challenges. What would have been a question to your desk neighbour is now a phone call and what would have been a quick tea break is now a lonely walk to my empty kitchen. Never have I ever missed being around friends and my colleagues so much. “Let’s grab lunch together” seems like an ancient proverb.

One of the greatest silver linings I have found is taking the time to listen and understand yourself. I have learnt to be alone without being lonely. I have learnt to channel my stresses into baking, but the main thing I have learnt is to accept this is only temporary.