Self-isolation and citywide lockdowns have begun in Australia and working from home looks to be the new norm for the foreseeable future. It’s an odd and uncertain time for us all, with offices, schools and gyms closing in an attempt to ‘flatten the curve’ 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.
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Nicky Briger, Editor
I’m into my fifth day of working solo from home and I have to admit, it’s 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 I’m missing the team, good ol’-fashioned human contact, and my hairbrush. If I’m 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, I’ve been calling my family and friends, as well as regular Zoom virtual meetings with colleagues. I’ve also scheduled in quick morning walks with my mum or friends just to get the muscles working and conversation flowing. (Yes, I’m venturing outdoors but still practising social distancing.) My other new obsession – apart from Netflix’s Pandemic (hey, it’s good to be informed) and Apple TV’s Morning Wars (how good are Jen and Reese?) – 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 “Modern Baking” masterpiece; it’s 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. I’m currently wearing pyjama bottoms and a sports bra, and my hair’s 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 can’t predict what will be happening in the world tomorrow, let alone in six months, and while that’s undeniably frightening, perhaps there’s something freeing about being forced into the here and now.
Alley Pascoe, Features Editor
Hot tip: don’t 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 Dalton’s 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). Dalton’s 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, “This isn’t just my favourite book of the year – it’s my favourite book of all time, by my favourite writer in the ~universe~. I’m not exaggerating when I say Trent Dalton’s debut novel is a masterpiece.” So, yeah, I was pretty excited when he announced last year that he was working on a second book, and I’ve been patiently counting down the seconds ever since. The wait is over and I’m currently self-isolating with Dalton’s new protagonist Molly Hook, a gravedigger’s daughter living in Darwin in 1942. PS: Since quarantine started, I’ve 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. There’s another hot tip
Monica Russel, Fashion Editor
Daily calls with family and friends! Try to call someone different each day it’s 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 can’t 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 plants…a 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 – John Legend! Wow.
- Stress-baking. My freezer is stocked! But I’ll probably eat it all in three days.
- Watching the whole two seasons of Sex Education in a day. It’s possible. I want Eric to be my best friend and I am obsessed with Maeve.
- Listening to Dolly Parton’s 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 – 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 it’s 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 it’ll let you know when it’s time to drink it. Freakin genius.
If you’ve 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.
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 Itsine’s classic Bikini Body Guides are helping me get my fitness fix while avoiding the gym. My friends and I have also decided we’re going to do group workouts together each morning using the Houseparty app. We’ll 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.
I’m 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 (can’t go past the delish-smelling Lush Cup O’ Coffee Face and Body Mask) all at once for the ultimate indulgence. Try it, you’ll feel so extra. And, with all my new-found spare time on the weekends, I’m catching up on my life admin and completely Marie Kondo-ing the apartment I share with my partner. So far, we’ve done a big wardrobe clean-out which we plan to take to Vinnies once things return to normal and next we’ll give our pantry an Instagram-worthy makeover with clear stackable containers and woven storage baskets.
