Today is the official day when I’ll be going back to work at office for up to three days per week. I’ve been enjoying the flexibility of working from home in the past months to the extent that it has become a luxury habit. When my employer announced about increasing from two to three-day office work week, most of my colleagues seemed anxious over the management decision. Nevertheless, I feel indifferent for a few reasons.
Human interaction as a part of life
While thousands of UK workers begin world’s biggest trial of four-day week, one would have expected any employers would gear towards promoting even more working flexibility rather than increasing from two to three-day office work week. Part of me appreciate my employer’s effort in restoring some level of normality into our lives. It is indeed more fun interacting with colleagues in person than on Teams. No doubt, Teams still does a good job, but human interaction is a part of life. At times, I do feel lonely working on my own and miss having impromptu brainstorming session with colleagues.
Babysit + work do not gel
Let’s face it. Babysit + Work do not gel. Essentially, I thought of leveraging one of my smart working days to babysit and work at the same time. I tried once and it barely lasted half day. Babysit + Work is just impossible with a growing 1-year old who requires so much attention. At least for me, it didn’t work. Being a working mother, I am already guilty for not spending enough time with my little pumpkin. To work on a laptop in front of her? Come on, being home with mommy is supposed to be fun! Truth to be told, she’s having so much good time at nursery that I find it challenging to keep up. She smiles so much with open-arms to her nursery staff every morning when we send her in. Keeping her at home is brutal if it’s going to mean ignoring her. Moreover, I am most productive when undisturbed!
London transportation costs a fortune
News are everywhere. Inflation is real. Ukraine-Russia tension is still driving up fuel prices. My husband was telling me how he uses cruising mode on his car to save fuel and overjoyed by just talking about it. Funny that we are so used to saving that now spending every penny seems so unwilling. Shocking to see how fast I drain my Oyster card every work day. £9.70 for one return tube trip between Zone 2 and 5 at peak hours, enough to cover two-meal head counts. Have I factored in lunch cost? Why London public transport is so freaking expensive?!
In my attempt to cost-save, boldly I am in the mid of trying out all transportation options that would provide me with the best cost saving. Obviously, travelling by bus seems to be the most economical and viable option. £1.65 for a one-way trip isn’t that bad, right? The pain only lies in time loss for overcoming 38 bus stops to arrive at destination. Am I mad? Time in exchange for money or vice versa, I tested this today and the time difference between travelling by bus and travelling by tube was about 20 minutes. Are my 20 minutes worthy for the sake of £6.40 savings?
Time and tide wait for no man.
Geoffrey Chaucer
A tricky situation as we often try using money to save time as human life progresses. Having said so, why am I considering it backwards? Because cost of living is escalating that every penny matters in exchange for patience. Perhaps it’s time for a fair compromise. As two to three-day work week commences this week, I am also prepared to sacrifice up to 40 minutes additional travel time just to save £6.40 a day, an equivalent of £20 a week savings for groceries – vivre ma vie!
Are you facing similar dilemma as me? Happy to hear your thoughts.
