Last year we
all got restricted to our own four walls by this time which till then used to
be perceived as a privilege for few – work from home. What felt like a lottery
ticket at the onset, soon started turning into an ordeal for many.
We all
started living the human simulation of the new style of work and the grass didn’t
seem greener anymore.
Till this
time people thought work from home was equivalent to an extra holiday. However,
as businesses, schools, social lives started zooming into various electronic
platforms, lines started getting blurred. Bosses learned to accept pets showing
up during review calls, students started observing the teacher’s husband when
they got bored listening to her, children started creating games for online
play dates. We weren’t left with any more demarcation between work and home. As
one started spilling onto the other, people realized it was time to start
creating boundaries.
Since then it’s been a year and we have all learned to carve
out our own do’s and don’ts. Is the list exhaustive yet? I don’t think so since
this is a continuous process. Everyday we are learning to do a few more things
to ensure the boundaries are helping us stay true to our goals. In my case I
have understood that there will be days when work will take precedence whereas
there will be some when it will be home. I have started respecting hard stops
and ensure I implement my own as well. I see the levels of trust and empathy have
shot up like never before. People have started respecting boundaries without sending
anyone on a guilt trip. It has become acceptable to say “not right now”.
