When ‘Work Address’​ changed to ‘Home Address’​!
By: Surbhi Chhajer
Tags: Passion, Covid 19, Work From Home, Workplace Culture, Work Life Balance

Sharing my Work-From-Home saga — the new normal born out of 2020!

The perk, WFH, once considered as an ‘option’ became the ‘essential’ when coronavirus set foot in our lives and hijacked our peace and freedom!

March 2020 marks the fiery entry of Covid19 in India, which entirely changed the way we used to work and live overnight. The situation was challenging and thought-provoking. Many organizations that were once following the conventional work-in-office culture were challenged to re-think and quickly adapt to change by transforming the physical workspaces to go digital.

The last 7–8 months journey was a roller-coaster ride. Some days you are just happy and relaxed, and other days simply missing the office and colleagues. The beginning was definitely not easy for all of us, a sudden surge in the online meetings, video calls, trackers, tasks updates, and whatnot. Personally, it became even more difficult compartmentalizing professional and personal space.

Somethings you cannot help, but love!

Secret to high productivity — Who doesn’t like to work from the favourite corner of the house? For me, it does the magic of delivering higher productivity topped up with coziness.

— Who doesn’t like to work from the favourite corner of the house? For me, it does the magic of delivering higher productivity topped up with coziness. WFH favorite pyjamas — The feeling of no longer indulging in the difficult office-wear clothing choices is surely saving me time and giving me the feeling of independence.

— The feeling of no longer indulging in the difficult office-wear clothing choices is surely saving me time and giving me the feeling of independence. Partners in crime and dine — My life partner is now an equal partner in the kitchen too. Yes, what more one can ask for! Totally loving it ❤

— My life partner is now an equal partner in the kitchen too. Yes, what more one can ask for! Totally loving it ❤ Pursuing Passion — There were a lot of things that took the back seat in life. Now with the flexibility in work schedules that comes with WFH, we are getting more time to spend with family and to learn and pursue our hobbies, courses outside the professional life. I am enjoying the re-union with home-gardening, sketching, and painting.

— There were a lot of things that took the back seat in life. Now with the flexibility in work schedules that comes with WFH, we are getting more time to spend with family and to learn and pursue our hobbies, courses outside the professional life. I am enjoying the re-union with home-gardening, sketching, and painting. New timely companions who have taken the space of colleagues and family this year. When I look back, I have in fact expanded my friend circle, yes, you read it right! I am talking about my passel of pigeons, who have become an integral part of my life, who pay me daily visit for lunch and adore everything I cook ;)

Ahh, but there are a lot of things that are missed!

Suddenly, the whole sense of order and discipline has vanished from my life. I feel the office visits and meeting people in-person was a blessing taken for granted for a long by a lot of us.

The friendly Hi & Bye, asking ‘What’s for lunch’, ‘Let’s go for lunch’ and ‘Tea, anyone?’ cannot be done virtually! Missing the Office cafeteria, gossips, daily cribbing about traffic and pollution in Bangalore — Oh, I am already missing it :(

What I miss the most is the healthy debates with the team. The real fun of brainstorming comes when they happen in meeting rooms! When we get to see the expressions, we feel and understand other’s points of view a little better, and tackling differences in opinion becomes a cake-walk!

What’s keeping me sane?

I am sure you all must have felt heartening to see how organizations are hosting a lot of initiatives to support employees amid the coronavirus pandemic.

For me, Enquero has made this journey super swift! Everyone is going above and beyond to make things easier for employees, and keeping their spirits high! I am amazed at how the HR team is making sure that we all as a team meet often, engage in one or the other fun and creative activities. IT team always a call away and Execs are maintaining constant communication via regular mails and townhalls. The company is investing in employees’ welfare initiatives to ease their mental and physical strain (everyone’s story of a strained back and sore neck) and delivering happiness during the nerve-wracking time for us.

While face-to-face interactions cannot be replaced, but virtual meetings keep the momentum alive. And, nothing beats the energetic and empathetic team who is accommodating, conscious of each other’s time, and never miss celebrating special occasions. By the way, I had my best virtual birthday celebration this year ❤

Though we never asked for it, spending time with family is something we cherish! Getting back in touch with some old friends and lost family connections is rejuvenating, and greeting and shouting a few words of cheer to our neighbors (from a safe distance) does add some spice to life ;)

Definitely, we are bound physically by a global pandemic, but not is our imagination, so let us go on, find our hobby, stay in, stay safe!

Rightly said by Gloria Steinem - Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are solely my own and originally published on LinkedIn.