Working from home started out great at the beginning of the pandemic. I was less stressed and I could do laundry between meetings. Seven months later, I still enjoy working from home but I miss my colleagues. Oddly enough, I miss being able to leave work. At home, I never physically leave the office thus giving the appearance of my work day ending. At home, my work day never really has an ending or beginning. I actually sort of work all the time. Today I am taking the day off to do work that I can’t get done when I am , uh, at work. That pretty messed up.
I try to make it a point to go for a walk while I am making calls. That helps. I try to remember to eat breakfast and lunch but I’m not always successful. I love no commute. When my son returns to the school building, I will still have to take him in. He should be getting his driver’s license within a year so that will help me avoid the commute.
I think when the world becomes normal again, (there I go being an optimist) I would like to work some days in the office and some from home during the week. A perfect blend to find the right balance of work and home. As I get older, I’m discovering that, as a friend of mine said “I want a life more than I want a career.” I’ve had a career since 1987. My career path was fun and I worked very hard to get to where I am now. I’m guessing in a few years it will be time to let someone else have a go at my gig. I am leaving the door to other possibilities open. Journalism has changed so much in 30 years so in many ways it has not been the same old thing year after year. Change keeps a person on their toes. Adaptability is key in journalism.
My intention was not to write a reflective post. I had thoroughly intended to write about what makes a good portfolio online and what bugs me when I look at them. You’ll have to wait for that gem. Hopefully it will be helpful to photographers starting out. In the meantime, make a new friend and have some fun.
Nell Carroll Photography 