We’re now almost four weeks into working from home. And regular readers of my Editor’s Diary will know that, like many people in this situation, I have settled into a new routine.
I’m making a point of getting up at my usual time every morning. That means the alarm goes off at 5.55 am. I am an early riser and hate to lie in bed once I’m awake so it’s no hardship for me!
Once downstairs, I feed the cats, do some stretching exercises and have breakfast. Then it’s off for a shower — so far, so normal.
I keep seeing posts and comments from people who seem to be spending all day in their pyjamas while working from home. That is not for me!
I get dressed, but leave the smart office clothes in the wardrobe and opt for jeans and a jumper instead. Make-up goes on only on days when video conferences are scheduled!
I cannot imagine starting any day without fresh air. So instead of my walk to the car and drive to work, I head out into the garden for ten minutes. It’s amazing how much weeding or pruning you can do in such a short time!
Then I check the latest news headlines and am ready to start work at 8 am.
That first hour is my most productive, and it’s when I usually do tasks that require a bit of clear thinking. Like writing this diary!
By midday I’m in need of a break. A benefit of starting so early is that I can take a longer lunch break. Mr Editor and I head out together for our daily walk. Then it’s a soup and sandwich lunch — and a spoonful of tuna for the cats — before returning to work for the afternoon.
I try to spend the last hour of each day reading the fabulous short stories and serial instalments passed on to me by Fiction Ed Lucy. It’s a nice way to wind down when I’m starting to feel tired.
At five o’clock, I pack away my laptop, notebooks and papers. If I left them on the kitchen table, I’d never switch off!
And that’s it. Another working day in lockdown successfully completed.
And another fabulous issue of the “Friend” closer to reaching its readers!
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Angela Gilchrist I am the former Editor-in-Chief of “The People’s Friend” magazine. My passions include cats, Highland ponies, good books, vegetarian food and long walks in the Scottish countryside. My favourite place to get away from it all is the magical Isle of Skye.
