Beyond #WFH is our initiative to spread positivity and inspire our readers by inviting leaders and friends to share what they do to unwind and relax after they finish their work-from-home and work-for-home responsibilities during the lockdown.
While Covid-19 has had multiple impacts on business and Beyond #WFH is not about business, it’s about self-discovery, things that will give us the strength to get through the lockdown and more importantly for those ‘moments’ that will stay with us for long and beyond this pandemic. PS: We are not talking business!
In this story of Beyond #WFH we bring to you, Aarushi Sethi, Director, Pollen: the full service influencer, creator and talent management agency of Zoo Media.
Working at your own pace without distractions. Check. Spending time with family. Check. Cooking delicious meals. Check. Indulging in Sketching. Check. Storytelling for kids and music sessions with dad. Check. Check.
We all have plans and a schedule that we are accustomed to. A routine that we’ve taken years to build and follow. The current testing times have forced us out of our comfort zones and we’ve naturally accustomed ourselves to the ‘new normal’. I’m happy to say that from being a Jack of All Trades at work, I’m now a self-proclaimed ‘Queen of Multitasking’ during WFH. From cleaning the house while on team calls, to cooking while listening to webinars or even working- out while watching Netflix, I’ve managed to find a good balance between things I want to do and those I have to do!
Cooking Up A Storm
The only condition I had when I was getting married was that I would never enter the kitchen! My love for food and all the crazy cravings during the lockdown, managed to drive me into the kitchen – Like it did to most of us. Being a first bencher throughout school, I researched cooking shows and made notes of the best recipes online to ensure my dishes were perfect.
Turns out, I’m not such a bad cook after all and the entire process has been so therapeutic that I look forward to cooking on weekends now.
Finding Time to Sketch
Art has always been close to my heart. I studied Graphic designing and even pursued it as a profession before I started working at an agency. The immense joy I find in creating something new, is unmatched. I don’t dedicate a specific time to this, but I find myself subconsciously sketching at every opportunity I get.
My husband gifted me an Ipad last year in the hopes that it will rekindle my passion and thanks to the lockdown, I’ve finally found time to watch tutorial videos and revisit my favorite form of self-expression!
Online Storytelling Lessons for Children
My mother is a teacher and as a need of the hour, I helped her set up online classes for children. It turned out to be such a stressbuster! Their energy was so infectious that it translated to my work and helped keep my spirits high even on the worst days.
They taught me how to enjoy the simpler things in life and helped me build a ton of patience too!
Community Music Sessions
I personally enjoy music and so does my father. So, while we are social distancing, we used the virtual world to unite people with music. We organised online music sessions and have even had artists like Shilpa Rao perform live. We’ve consistently brought 100+ music lovers together every day in the last 50 days and it’s a heartwarming feeling. Music is one art form that connects people across all sections of society. It brings a calming effect on people, moreover these sessions bring with them a feeling of community, a sense of togetherness like we are all in this together and we will get through this together too.
All in all, it has actually been a very fulfilling period for me. I’ve learned to let go since the situation is out of our control and I’ve managed to tick a lot of things off my procrastination list. I’ve started enjoying this “Qua-routine” and I’m grateful that I’ve managed to spend a lot more time with my family, friends and more importantly myself!
