Why Women In The Workplace Wish Every Year Was 2020
And how it’s impacting our work-life balance and career decisions going forward.
In many ways it feels like we’ve traveled back in time. To the beginning of an unprecedented year where lockdown looms but this time it’s different: there’s evidence of light at the end of the tunnel. There’s hope in the form of evidence that a vaccine is on its way. But what if we don’t want the year to end?
What if 2020 is just getting started?
While it has been a difficult one for many, I can’t help but acknowledge how this year has changed the lives of women in the workplace forever. Likely for the better.
Our professional and personal lives have been disrupted and for many, this has been a good thing.
It has led women to consider not only their career goals and aspirations, but more importantly their overall health and well-being.
Myself included.
For the first time in a long time, we’re taking time to reflect on what does and doesn’t serve us, and doing something about it. As a result, we’re examining our lifestyle, our choices, and our paths forward.
In many ways I’ve found 2020 to be my best year yet.
I’ve had time to start new projects, explore new ideas, and focus on personal growth. For the most part, I have been the happiest I’ve been in a long time and I know I’m not alone.
By no means do I want to discount the experiences of others, to lessen their grief, loss, and sadness. 2020 has been a difficult year to say the least.
How will you look back on 2020…?
Will you remember the things you missed out on? The parties and events you couldn’t attend? The vacation destinations you couldn’t visit? Or will you remember all the opportunity that resulted in having to hit the pause button?
Will you remember how this force of change drove you to the one thing you had been desperately craving, but didn’t know you were missing?
In one word: freedom.
We have freedom with our time.
2020 has given us space and what I thought was never possible: the gift of time. Without the need to commute, interruptions from our peers, and the pressure to socialize in the workplace, we have more time than ever.
This is especially true for women. By feeling less pressure to spend time on our hair and make up, we have found an average of 2.5 extra hours a week. (I’m a firm believe you can hide a lot on a Zoom call).
Word of caution: do not let this new-found time result in you working more.
Set expectations and create barriers to ensure this extra time doesn’t get consumed by your employer. Use it to support you on what’s most important: taking care of yourself.
We have freedom to slow down and discover new self-care practices.
Working from home has given us more control over our schedules and calendars, allowing us to use our time thoughtfully and meaningfully. Our self-care practices are no longer regulated to Sundays.
The permission to slow down every day has led us to discover and adopt new daily routines.
Almost any and every class or program is now available digitally. As a result, you have everything you need at your fingertips to find what best aligns with your health and wellness goals.
For me, the first step was finding Kinrgy. This led to developing a deeper daily practice through yoga, breath work, and meditation. I have friends who have made a habit of taking a walk first thing every morning, or journaling. Regardless of the activity, we are stepping into our day more mindful and prepared.
We are taking care of ourselves first, instead of rushing out the door to traffic and transit.
This allows us to start the day with a clear headspace, leading to better productivity, and bonus: the ability to do more in less time.
The repetitiveness of working from home can help you to identify your flow time: that time of day where the work happens without you even noticing.
We have freedom to explore a career change.
Earlier this year, Forbes published an article stating that 62% of women are planning a major career change post pandemic. When our lives were going a mile-a-minute and our days were spent in our corporate bubbles, it was easy to get wrapped up in the pressure of promotions. If you didn’t change roles or take on more responsibility in a timely manner, you worried you’d be left behind.
In the current work environment, we have time to reflect on what we’re good at and the kind of work we like doing.
We are considering the kind of environment and culture we want to be a part of, and if our companies values are aligned with our own.
We are acknowledging and taking ownership of our value and worth in the workplace.
In cases where a 9–5 isn’t enough, women are taking time to discover passion projects and turning them into side hustles and part-time gigs. Women have found an opportunity to create another source of income, and likely, a new full-time job.
We have the freedom to say no.
Think of the time we have spent feeling stressed and guilty; the weight we have carried with us as a result of saying that one little word. No.
No to another after-work happy hour. No to dinner with friends at an expensive restaurant that wasn’t your choosing. No to a bridal shower for someone you have long since lost touch with.
This year has given us the opportunity to say no guilt-free.
Not to mention its impact on my bank account.
I take great pride in being smart with money. I value every dollar I make and in return value every dollar I spend. In the past, I have become frustrated when social situations pressured me to spend my money when I didn’t want to. A little social distance and the freedom to say no have relieved me of that guilt and kept me aligned to my financial goals.
After all, there is nothing more powerful than a financially independent woman.
We have the freedom to be ourselves.
In 2020 we have opened our homes to friends, co-workers, and even strangers. Working from home has put us all on an even playing field: one where we are exposed and vulnerable as we see a glimpse into each other’s personal lives. It’s reduced the hierarchy at work, bridging relationships and improving collaboration as people appear more approachable.
For me, it’s lifted a weight off of my shoulders as I no longer feel the need to compartmentalize the different parts of who I am.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked to keep my creative side separate from my professional business-women persona. The truth is, they are both integral parts of who I am and by acknowledging their presence together, I feel more connected to myself.
I’m more confident in who I’m becoming, and free to discover who I’m meant to be.
I will be sad to see 2020 go. It has undoubtedly challenged us, changed us, and provided us with new perspectives that we will carry with us for years to come. It has forever changed how we approach our jobs, our careers, and our lifestyles.
When the time comes, it will be difficult to leave this year of freedom behind.
Only time will tell what parts of 2020 will remain with us, but what I know for sure is:
In a work-from-home world, pants are, and will always be, optional.
