No longer a diary of a furloughed Director: First week back

As most people know I was furloughed until this week and was chomping at the bit to get back. If only it went as I had planned in my head. It didn't. Really didn't. I literally could not make this week up if I tried - so please indulge me as I take you through it.

I was so excited to be coming back to TFG. Being able to help drive the business forward and support my best pal and co-fo Polly. And we certainly did. But not without a few interesting personal obstacles that I had to deal with alongside. 

So this week is a bit of a different article - hopefully, it will make you laugh in disbelief.

It's all s**ts & giggles until someone s**ts.

Chez Weaving was hit by a tummy bug. 

The unwanted guest arrived on Sunday and stayed until Wednesday night. Now, I won't go into the detail that I did with my colleagues, friends and family but it was something out a comedy. 

It hit me first. 

Being ill and a single parent is frightening and exhausting. No pity required. Just acknowledgement. So imagine it being your first day back at work, homeschooling* and having not slept, eaten or drank for 12 hours. Not forgetting you being the only one responsible for everything in the house - like cooking. 

I initially thought this 'bug' was 'too much sun at the weekend' - I am a delicate flower after all. But when Tuesday came, it was clear it was something that liked to make sure all the family got involved. 

Me feeling a bit better after rest and nourishment heard those words "mum I don't feel well". Then mid-conference call, thankfully only with Polly and Rebecca, I hear the shower of vom as it hit my carpet. That wasn't the only clean up I had the pleasure of doing that day. But as I said I would spare you the details. 

What can you do? 

I smiled, laughed and inappropriately made jokes through it. And once LO had listened to me and stopped drinking, eating and then puking, I got so much work done as he snoozed on the sofa. Polly and I even stuck to our mass planning meeting.

You have to take the wins and opportunities where they present themselves. Even if it is wearing marigolds and in an atmosphere with the aroma of bleach!

So the first half of my week, while professionally successful, was a personal s**tshow. 

Thursday was a different tune.

Both back fighting fit. Thursday was a different day. I had the day off to remember my mum, who lost her fight with cancer on the 30th of April 2019.

She was a legend. It was hard. For those that have experienced loss or depression, there is a fog that descends. This fogs impairs making decisions and slows everything down. You have to focus on one thing at a time if you want to get anything done. And if you don't, that is fine too.

However, this fog also protects us. It stops us trying to take on too much when we aren't able. It teaches us to slow down and feel. It helps us grow if we let it. And this year it was full of love. I talk quite a bit about grief. Not because I like to make people sad, but because everyone will suffer it and we need to make it less taboo. Like racism - but that is for another week. Grief is ok. It's hard, but it is ok. It is only prolonged if you don't acknowledge it. **gets off soap** box.

Friday I'm in love

So the end of the week is here, and I am celebrating my first not sick-bug-grief-filled day back at TFG. Truth be told, it is just as productive as the rest, but with a beautifully scented candle burning and no marigolds.

So what was the point of this weeks article? To give you a sense of what could be going on for many people working at home. But more to give you a bit of a laugh. Let me know if you did.

Happy Friday & Stay Safe

Nat