We love hearing and sharing your stories. We want to find out how people are adapting to their ‘new normal’, what changes they’re making and what they’re learning. Each week, we share a story with you, from people in different jobs (or not in jobs for some), in different places, with different experiences. If you’re interested in sharing your story, we’d love to hear how the ‘new normal’ is for you.
What’s your name and what do you do?
Karen Notaro, I am a People Insight manager in the Ministry of Justice.
How did you start your day today?
Run, Shower, coffee and cereal (currently Crunchy Nut Granola is a favourite)
What was a typical day like for you pre Covid-19?
Hard to pinpoint as each day was different, but generally two/three days working from home and the remaining two working in the office, meeting people and working in a collaborative space
And what is a typical day like now?
Very different, totally working from home! I miss bumping into people to have a conversation, now arrange meetings to talk about everything
What’s been the biggest change to your life (working and personal) in light of Covid-19?
Working – Reduction in travelling time does mean that meetings are going in earlier in the morning and tend to work later into the evening and the lack of travelling means there is a risk of not being in the best headspace all of the time
Personal – Having to be very inventive to run Adult Training for Scout Leaders – it has definitely been challenging! But very exciting too
How have you had to adapt to accommodate what’s happening?
Having to make the time to catch up with friends (albeit remotely) and appreciate that everyone’s experience is going to be different
And what have been the biggest challenges (working and personal)?
That working from home is going to be the way it is for the foreseeable future – balancing work and scouting, which is now all online, has been the biggest challenge for me
What do you miss most about your life pre Covid 19 (working and personal)?
Being able to physically go and see people. I’ve not seen my parents for 6 months now and it is difficult
What surprisingly good things have emerged in your life since this began?
How adaptable I have become in a short space of time. There is no more doing things the way we have always done them as we have had to move forward which is so refreshing
What have you learnt about yourself during this?
That I can still be as effective communicating with people online as I can face to face
What do you hope we as a society learn from this situation?
Be grateful for what we have and not take anything (especially each other) for granted
What has helped you to cope with your situation?
Having a routine, no matter how mundane, really has helped
What message would you like to pass onto others?
Take time for yourself
Finally, what’s on your ‘Playlist’:
– Favourite meal? Chinese
– Boxset/film or book? Flowers in the Attic
– Thing to do that just makes you happy? Scouting and Reading
