Self-isolation and citywide lockdowns have begun in Australia and working from home looks to be the new norm for the foreseeable future. Itโs an odd and uncertain time for us all, with offices, schools and gyms closing in an attempt to โflatten the curveโ of COVID-19, and ultimately, the overcrowding of our already stretched health care facilities.
The marie claire team has been looking to all sorts of past times to get through the lonely days. For some, it means devouring favourite books from the past and adding simple touches to their at home work stations. For others, it means 7 minutes of yoga in the morning and watering their plants (albeit, probably a little too much). Scroll down to see how the team are getting through.
RELATED: How To Socialise From Home
Nicky Briger, Editor
Iโm into my fifth day of working solo from home and I have to admit, itโs tougher than I imaged. Initially, I fantasised about slobbing around in my trackies, T-shirt and Uggs, not a skerrick of makeup needed, but the reality is Iโm missing the team, good olโ-fashioned human contact, and my hairbrush. If Iโm not having a chat, laugh, goss or catch-up about my latest Netflix fascination, I slowly start to wither inside. So, to feed my social need, Iโve been calling my family and friends, as well as regular Zoom virtual meetings with colleagues. Iโve also scheduled in quick morning walks with my mum or friends just to get the muscles working and conversation flowing. (Yes, Iโm venturing outdoors but still practising social distancing.) My other new obsession โ apart from Netflixโs Pandemic (hey, itโs good to be informed) and Apple TVโs Morning Wars (how good are Jen and Reese?) โ is baking. Yes people, I bought flour last weekend (cos I could) and finally learned what to do with it. This is ground-breaking for me as the only thing I know how to make is a dinner reservation. Thank you, Donna Hay, for your โModern Bakingโ masterpiece; itโs saving my sanity while I pile on the kilos. Lucky I get to wear elasticised pants.
Kathryn Madden, Acting Features Director
Look, there have to be some positives to come out of working from home. Iโm currently wearing pyjama bottoms and a sports bra, and my hairโs coiled up in a DIY coconut oil mask. Beauty regime aside, I intend to use this time to overcome my phobia of phone calls and focus on living in the moment. Right now we canโt predict what will be happening in the world tomorrow, let alone in six months, and while thatโs undeniably frightening, perhaps thereโs something freeing about being forced into the here and now.
Alley Pascoe, Features Editor
Hot tip: donโt gasp dramatically at your office in the middle of a pandemic. Your colleagues will freak out and it will cause a whole scene. I learnt this lesson the hard way when a copy of Trent Daltonโs soon-to-be-released second book All Our Shimmering Skies landed on my desk, two hours before I went into self-isolation (fate does exist). Daltonโs debut novel, Boy Swallows Universe (based on his dysfunctional upbringing in blue-collar Brisbane), was my favourite book of 2018. At the time, I wrote, โThis isnโt just my favourite book of the year โ itโs my favourite book of all time, by my favourite writer in the ~universe~. Iโm not exaggerating when I say Trent Daltonโs debut novel is a masterpiece.โ So, yeah, I was pretty excited when he announced last year that he was working on a second book, and Iโve been patiently counting down the seconds ever since. The wait is over and Iโm currently self-isolating with Daltonโs new protagonist Molly Hook, a gravediggerโs daughter living in Darwin in 1942. PS: Since quarantine started, Iโve also read I Choose Elena by Lucia Osborne-Crowley, Below Deck by Sophie Hardcastle and On Hope by Daisy Jeffrey. You should do the same. Thereโs another hot tip
![skies](https://api.photon.aremedia.net.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/media/68793/all-our-shimmering-skies.jpg?resize=670%2C1024)
Monica Russel, Fashion Editor
Daily calls with family and friends! Try to call someone different each day itโs a great time to check in on people you have been meaning to catch up with. Also, keeping mealtimes interesting and having something yum to look forward to. Lots of my favourite local restaurants are now offering delivery services so if you canโt go out, they can come to you (thank you 10 William and The Unicorn!). In case of emergencies, a weekly Drnks delivery comes in handy!!
Lucy Cousins, Wellness Editor
- Watering my plantsโฆa little too often. They look angry at me.
- Eating all the chocolate, then madly doing YouTube workouts so I can eat more.
- Watching celebrity streamed concerts โ John Legend! Wow.
- Stress-baking. My freezer is stocked! But Iโll probably eat it all in three days.
- Watching the whole two seasons of Sex Education in a day. Itโs possible. I want Eric to be my best friend and I am obsessed with Maeve.
- Listening to Dolly Partonโs America podcast. She is amazing.
Robyn Fay-Perkins, Photo Editor
Yoga in the morning using Aussie workout app, 7 Minutes. As well as using my standup desk โ nobody wants to end up looking like the Hunchback of Notre Dam.
Wine with dinner (you have to have something to look forward to). My advice would be for these hot days/nights to chill your red wine (if you need/only drink red wine and itโs hot, this is a total win). Taylors Wines have a thermometer sticker on the labels of their reds so you can take it out of the fridge and itโll let you know when itโs time to drink it. Freakin genius.
If youโve got kids: Obstacle course around the house, cubby building, lego competition (whoever builds the biggest tower is always a hit!), wine for parents afterwards.
Ella Blinco Jury, Market Editor
If your working from home, keep up your normal work routine. Get up at your usual time and get ready/dressed for work. It will help you to feel good about yourself and be more productive throughout the day. Also, look out for online/streaming events such as Room 2 Radio, that are hosting live streaming music events during the evenings. Facetime your friends and have a drink/dance together from home.
![yoga](https://api.photon.aremedia.net.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/media/68791/gettyimages-811247542.jpg?resize=1024%2C684)
Michelle Kaplan, Marketing Manager
Movement!!! I skip at home with a skipping rope. Getting my steps in and keeping myself sane with all 3 kids at home doing lessons over Microsoft classroom/team. I just sat through 30 mins of video call clarinet lesson!! Good times.
Chloe Buttenshaw, Senior Fashion Editor
Try setting up a nice little space for your self, I am going to buy some flower each week for my home desk. Take advantage of no commute and take a walk each morning fresh air will help and there are tons of home workouts on YouTube.
Isobel Larkin, Digital Content Editor
YouTube workouts and Kayla Itsineโs classic Bikini Body Guides are helping me get my fitness fix while avoiding the gym. My friends and I have also decided weโre going to do group workouts together each morning using the Houseparty app. Weโll take turns leading the workouts which should keep things pretty entertaining. Plus a couple of impromptu interpretative dances in the living room throughout the day when I need a break from my desk are helping me keep my body moving.
Iโm also perfecting my home beauty regimen and love using a radiance-boosting face mask (current obsession: Summer Fridays R+R Mask), repairing hair mask (Kevin Murphy Young.Again.Masque is my fave) and exfoliating body mask (canโt go past the delish-smelling Lush Cup Oโ Coffee Face and Body Mask) all at once for the ultimate indulgence. Try it, youโll feel so extra. And, with all my new-found spare time on the weekends, Iโm catching up on my life admin and completely Marie Kondo-ing the apartment I share with my partner. So far, weโve done a big wardrobe clean-out which we plan to take to Vinnies once things return to normal and next weโll give our pantry an Instagram-worthy makeover with clear stackable containers and woven storage baskets.
![summer fridays](https://api.photon.aremedia.net.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/media/68798/summer-fridays.jpg?resize=821%2C1024)