Pulse check

To you who’s reading this, I sincerely hope you’re well. 

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

With everything that’s been happening, checking on you guys is the least I could do. I know many of us are struggling in the midst of this pandemic for all sorts of reasons, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be reaching out to one another and at least have that hope that we’re getting by.

Virtual Meet Burnout

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

Before I carry on, let me say that it is a privilege to be given the option to work remotely during the pandemic. I think it’s important that I make this clear as I don’t want people reading this to think I’m complaining about having to work at home.

Now that I’ve cleared that, a year into the world’s embrace of the new normal, I can say that I have adjusted quite well to how most things are conducted on a WFH set-up. From setting schedules, maintaining boundaries, creating ground rules, etc. 

But here’s what I know: I will never be comfortable with Zoom/Microsoft Teams/Webex meetings. 

Staying in my square-meter world

Photo from Unsplash

Since my WFH started, when the line of work and life became almost non-existent, my weekends and time-offs are more important to me than ever. Like a prisoner on parole, I definitely look forward to going out on my day-offs even if the risk of catching Covid is there. 

In my defense, I need it to treat my anxiety from being cooped up in the house for days (which is true) and I had to refresh. Walking is my main form of exercise; going to the mall and doing a little shopping is the easiest way for me to hit that 10,000 steps. Often I treat myself to a nice lunch, or maybe just sit at my favorite coffee shop and fritter the day away—all while making sure I follow the basic protocols strictly. 

But with the speedy surge that’s been happening in Metro Manila, even an “itchy feet” like me would choose to stay home if my reason for going out is not important. Yesterday, the number of new cases hit 5,000—the highest it has ever been since August of last year and experts predict it could go as high as 7,000 daily infections in the coming days.