The new “small business” normal

A year on from the world coming to a standstill and we are all still trying to come to terms with the changes to our lives. For many, the separation from family members has been the hardest. For others, it has been the challenge of homeschooling. For all, the constant shifting of the whole situation and the rules that have come with it has been difficult. What is for sure, things will never be the same again.

Pre-Covid

With family in Sweden, jobs that included regular travel to Europe and America, we were nearly always either about to go somewhere or had just gotten back. Whilst we enjoyed travelling, going to gigs and festivals, eating out, catching up with friends and family. Spending two weekends in a row at home without anything to do was rare.

Learning how to work from home in Lockdown

During the first lockdown, I was lucky enough to be 'locked-in' in the Midlands with my side of the family. We zoned the house, stretching the internet to its limit, folding tables and monitors popping up everywhere. However, like many freelancers, I lost my marketing projects very early on. So I found other things to do, jet washing the patio, gardening and became the designated Sainsbury's shopper. We discovered zoom quizzes, set up our own 'Quarantine Olympics', took part in fitness challenges and cooked different world foods each weekend.

The Summer of Covid

We made it back down to London; our lives changed so much that we could care for the dogs we’d wanted for so long. We set up my husband's study so that he would have a relaxed space to work in, now that working-from-home was permanent. Whilst I struggled to find long term marketing projects, I focused on DIY. Discovering the hard way that painting bathroom tiles takes a LOT longer than just a couple of days.

Here We Go Again…

Christmas was cancelled across the world. What was supposed to be a Family Christmas became Zoom calls over breakfast, lunch and dinner. Although a novel way of spending Christmas, we were grateful still to be able to connect with family and friends in both the UK and Sweden.

In the New Year, we had to come up with even more ways of keeping ourselves occupied. Learning to cook even more complicated recipes - thank you to Rick Stein for the Arancini recipe! Completing the more enigmatic DIY projects and have now finally (almost) finished the list.

The New Normal

From my own experience, the balancing act of working from home has brought many challenges as well as rewards.

Have designated workspaces, but switch it up

My husband has the study in the attic whilst I have the kitchen table. However, as the months have continued to roll by, the same four walls, no matter how freshly painted, become increasingly stale. Instead, we have swapped around now and again. Providing me with a quieter spot to focus more on growing Nilster and my client projects. Whilst also meaning that on days when he has fewer calls, my husband can spend time in a more social space with the dogs, and more significantly, the coffee machine.

Have someone else to blame

It may sound ridiculous, but having a fictional 'person' living in our house has stopped many petty arguments before they can even start. When someone leaves things next to the dishwasher instead of in it or doesn't make the bed - it's blamed on 'Francis'. Providing a way of saying that something is irritating us, whilst also making a joke of the situation.

Set a routine that works for you

I am not, nor will ever be, a morning person. A fact which is compounded when there is no logical reason to get out of bed at 6:30 am when the main thing to do for the day is the washing. Conversely, my husband will get up at 7 am even on weekends. So we have a routine that plays to our strengths, his in the mornings, and mine in the evening, helping both of us to be more productive.

Looking to the future

As a freelancer, finding new clients in a pessimistic world where marketing budgets are in short supply has been challenging. Having already spent previous lock-downs completing the DIY and home improvement lists, finding motivation became increasingly grinding.

Nevertheless, the light at the end of the tunnel is closer than ever. Meaning I have been able to get up and running with new clients, predominantly in the beauty industry which has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic.

However, I have been able to get their websites up and running, enabling them to be in the best possible shape for opening up again. With the added benefit of giving me the kick that I needed to focus on Nilster. Building my project portfolio and honing my marketing skills and gaining new ones on new platforms and business areas. Whilst also keeping me away from the allure of painting just one more wall or piece of furniture.