Working from home has many benefits but if there’s one thing I’ve realised since the pandemic, it’s that it can get really boring. It’s just you, your laptop and colleagues that you talk to via email, Slack or Teams. So how do you break that monotony? I asked a few young Nigerians and this is what they said.
Ikechukwu*, 27
I sleep. If sleep isn’t working, I type my resignation letter, then think about how SAPA will hold my neck, and then delete the letter and sleep again. But I don’t really work from home; I have an office space I go to four times a week. I started doing that because sitting at home only stresses me out. So think of the place I go to as an office, but one I can control.
Tamilore*, 25
I try to take breaks in between. To be honest, I take breaks because of my ADHD, but it also helps in making me survive how boring work can get. I go to the gym every morning from 6–8:30 a.m. and that helps me start my day with an interesting activity because my gym is a different universe on its own. Also, I watch vlogs — mostly travel vlogs — as an escape from my monotonous world.
Ebuka*, 26
When I get tired of working from home, I go out to get coffee and work at the bar. These days, I’ve started taking walks after work. Then I go for salsa every Tuesday and Wednesday evening at this lovely spot not so far from my house. I also like to run to the gym that’s about two kilometres away from my apartment and walk back home when I’m done. I’m not a big fan of using the treadmill at the gym. Also, cooking and trying new recipes is another thing that makes my week interesting.
ALSO READ: 5 Things Everyone Needs for Successful Remote Work in Nigeria
Funke*, 20
When working from home starts to get monotonous, I change my location. If I’ve been working from my room, I go to a different room in the house. Sometimes, I go to my aunt’s or friend’s house. Then I also cook a lot. I can take twenty minutes to try out a quick recipe I’ve been seeing online. Just the other day I made Tacos and they weren’t a disaster.
Other times, I take a break and talk to my mum about how life is doing me and how I can’t deal with it anymore. Also, I like to play with the animals in my house. Feeding my pet goats and chickens keeps me sane.
Ayotunde*, 29
I’ve tried morning and evening runs, and that worked for a bit but not anymore. I do change rooms and locations sometimes. I went to the office almost every day in April because working from home got too much. I don’t think that’s working anymore so I’m back to the trenches.
ALSO READ: 5 Nigerian Women Talk About Working From Home
Tolani*, 26
I try to sleep. I also try to switch up my work; I try not to edit continuously for too long. So I can write for an hour, edit for an hour, review for an hour, sort documents for an hour, etc. Sometimes I read non-work articles for inspiration and also just for entertainment. Other times I either daydream, journal or meditate.
Ife*, 24
I take a break and scroll through social media to find something funny to make me feel less bored. Either that or I take a nap and keep my phone close by, in case work comes looking for me.
ALSO READ: Working Remotely in Nigeria? – Here Are a Few Tips
