Some thoughts on working at home (a thread after a chat today with @markmiodownik). I work at home a lot, and I’ve also spent many months of my life on expeditions in remote places (this is relevant). Here are my recommendations. 1/n
Some thoughts on working at home (a thread after a chat today with @markmiodownik). I work at home a lot, and I’ve also spent many months of my life on expeditions in remote places (this is relevant). Here are my recommendations. 2/n
Work out how many hours of work you can do (probably fewer than you think) and keep strict track of them (I use @toggl ). Do your hours, and when you have finished, give yourself non-guilty permission to stop and do something else. 3/n
Give yourself a break when things change (at the moment, that’s all the time). Normally, this applies to weather on expeditions, but apparently viruses have the same effect. Don’t beat yourself up because the weather(/virus) says no. 4/n
Have FUN during your non-work times. This is time to be creative, try new things, muck about with limited resources. Do new things, learn from others online, have projects. It’s all a new game – enjoy it! 5/n
Get exercise, and get fresh air. If you don’t, and you don't have changes of pace during the day, you won’t sleep, you won’t relax, and your immune system will take a hit (obviously particularly important at the moment) 6/n
Give structure to your week – make the weekends different, and invent things to look forward to. It doesn’t matter if they’re silly (the Swedish silly hat festival forces plenty of creativity when all you have is lab kit). 7/n
When you start, you’ll think that you can be super-disciplined. This will last 1 month max & then you’ll have to be human again. Don’t beat yourself up about that either. We’re in this for the long haul, so live and don’t just work. 8/n
This is a time to be *human*. Take responsibility for the people around you (IRLl or on whatsapp). Step up, ask how people are & take time with them on the bad days. A blog from Oden on that here: cosmicshambles.com/words/blogs/he…
It’s an adventure, and we’re all on the team, dealing with all this together. Be patient & tolerant & make life easier for others when you can. Ask when you need help. Smile lots (photo: part of my awesome team on North Pole exped) n/n 
Two last things: you can see all the @cosmicshambles blogs & other from 2 major expeditions here: helenczerski.net/at-sea Also thanks to my many awesome exped teammates inc @IanMBrooks @MattESalter @DrPrytherch Mario Hoppmann & more
I missed the 1st one! : Routine is important. Sometimes things will change at short notice, but keep fixed mealtimes and keep your day structured. You need both changes in pace/activity and a routine. Otherwise the feeling of drifting takes over. 2/n
