5 reasons why you don't have to quarantine efficiently

You need to have time to improve your English, wash the windows, start playing sports, get to know yourself, take advantage of free courses … However, in practice, not everyone succeeds: it is even difficult for someone to work in this mode, let alone listen to lectures. But you shouldn't blame yourself for the unproductive quarantine. And that's why.

1. Quarantine is scary

If you think about it, we are living under tremendous stress right now. Every day we read reports on the cases and deaths from coronavirus, study gloomy forecasts, look at photos of empty shelves in grocery stores. Add to this the collapse of the ruble and the unstable political situation - and it becomes clear why even the most incorrigible optimists fear for their future and their loved ones.

It can be quite difficult to calm your anxiety and think about English and programming courses in such circumstances. So if you are overwhelmed by heavy thoughts, focus on helping yourself get through this time rather than breaking productivity records.

2. Remote work is not like a fairy tale

They all remember these pastoral pictures: beautiful and happy people are sitting under a palm tree with a laptop on their knees and smiling serenely, showing with their whole appearance how well they can work without a terrible stuffy office. They make you believe that by moving to a remote location, you will forget about traffic jams and lack of sleep, you will receive well and will be able to devote time to your family, hobbies and personal plans.

Only, in fact, remote work is not suitable for everyone. And organizing yourself at home can be much more difficult than at the office.

Experienced remote workers know how difficult it is to resist the temptation to lie down on the couch, watch TV, play a game console, or cuddle a cat. How difficult it can be to get up in the morning if you don't have to pay fines or write explanatory notes for being late.

How hard it is to stick to a daily routine, stay focused and not get stuck on social media. 34% of respondents to a survey conducted by HeadHunter cited many distractions as the main disadvantage of working remotely.

And if small children are left with you at home (schools and kindergartens are also closed or transferred to a free attendance regime), the mission becomes almost impossible. Because every 15 minutes you have to answer a million important questions and fight off a thousand "Mom, let's play" and "Dad, let's go for a walk."

In general, don't beat yourself up if working remotely isn't as easy as you hoped, and you struggle to complete basic tasks - let alone meditate, get to know yourself, and pump abs.

3. You don't have much free time

Yes, remotely, you don't have to waste time trying to steam off your jacket, get to work, or linger on some kind of joint gatherings. But you most likely will not have time to enjoy the freed up hours.

After all, it takes time to organize yourself, cook dinner, tidy up (if you sit at home, you will also litter more than when you are not), take care of loved ones, it also takes time.

And it simply may not be enough for self-development. Try to treat this philosophically, do not scold yourself. Focus on getting things done and praise yourself for every task you complete.

4. Study and self-development can be postponed

If you do not have an urgent need to study right now, arrange movie marathons and start new businesses, you do not have to do this. Yes, calls to quarantine intensively and productively can be confusing, unnerving, and cause fear of lost profits: “How is it, there are so many interesting offers and free courses around, you need to do everything as soon as possible! And in general, everyone is developing, but I just sit at home!"

But answer yourself honestly to the question, what do you want now: to watch webinars and take intensive courses or get through this difficult period as soon as possible?

If the second, just accept that now you do not need new knowledge and impressions. And they will not go anywhere from you at all. Subscribing to films and lectures costs little at all, and you can do self-development when you have the time and energy.

5. Quarantine is not a vacation

The purpose of quarantine is to wait out the incubation period of the virus, not to get infected yourself and, if you are still sick, not to transmit the disease to others. Everything.

If you manage to learn something new, read a few books and listen to a dozen interesting podcasts, great, you are great. If not, you are still great, because you obediently sat at home, followed the rules and thus helped to stop the epidemic.