My 6-stages of Furlough

9-weeks of furlough (so far). I thought I would tell you about my different stages of furlough during lockdown and highlight what a person does when he has all the time in the world but cannot go anywhere.

I am going to overlook the initial bout of stress and anxiety which I am sure a lot of us felt about a global pandemic. It probably took about a week for me to realise that the best way to keep positive was to stop watching the news and focus on what I could do in this unique time.

Forewarning - If you are looking for tips on how to up skill yourself, future your career or maybe something noteworthy like learning a new language. Please stop reading now.  

Stage 1 – The House Jobs

The excuses were over. I actually had the time to do the jobs around the house that needed to be done. These were genuine positives that came out of the world standing still. In the first couple of weeks the following was achieved:

• Jet washed the slabs front and back
• Cleaned the garage out
• Hired a skip and used for garage, garden and house waste
• Sorted 12 bags of unwanted clothes and donated them using the local charity collection service
• Painted the internal door and banister black

Stage 2 – Brave the Shave

It took me about a week to take the plunge. It was clear that the hairdresser was going to be out of action for quite a while and long hair has never suited me. I was probably about 7 seconds into the self-shave when I realized I had made the seemingly common mistake that setting 2 on the clippers does NOT represent ‘a number 2’ at the barbers. Upon research it is in fact three times shorter …

Stage 3 – The Fitness Freak - @JTurleyFitness (Instagram)

Gyms were closed and sport was cancelled. Like everyone else I turned to the internet to buy some gym equipment only to realise there was an international shortage on the scale of PPE. Anyone that had anything in stock was profiteering – even knackered old secondhand dumbbells on eBay were being priced in the 000’s!

I, like the sheep I am, immediately downloaded Strava and in my mind was already giving up recruitment to compete at the next Olympics. On my first run I remembered how much I dislike running so I did not post the time and have not ran since.

So, it was time to make do with what random equipment I had and improvise (pictured) – having extra room now in the garage helped. I have fortunately kept up the daily fitness and I have also started an Instagram page if anyone has any interest in some free hints and tips: @JTurleyFitness

Stage 4 – The Quiz King

The idea of a quiz was so exciting in the first weeks. It was an opportunity for human interaction and to do it in a friendly fun environment. I set up/participated in quizzes with work, family, friends, my football team, the list goes on! I even set up a Taskmaster event with 7 friends which was put together over a 6-week period and ended with a 3-hour live show.

I must be honest, the novelty quickly wore-off. It was only so many times I could answer questions about Disney or Harry Potter. Over even worse put up with the fact that pretty much everyone is cheating. However, we are now stuck in a cycle where it is everybody else’s turn to put together a quiz and it is rude not to attend when they have spent time on it. We cannot use the excuse that we are out – we will be trapped in this cycle until lockdown ends.

Stage 5 – The Gaming Champion

The opportunity to properly online game is minimal when you are working full time hours. When you are working recruitment hours this is basically impossible. However, furlough gave me a chance to dust off the PS4. Again, like Strava, I jumped on the bandwagon and immediately downloaded Call of Duty. 10 hours it took to download. Like a recurring theme it took me one session to realise I was awful at this game and it has not been played since.

FIFA on the other hand was like muscle-memory. Yes, the game has changed but I spent circa 40% of my three years at university on FIFA and it was like riding a bike. I committed hours daily to eventually win the Division 1 title online. In ‘normal’ life this would have taken months. But it only used up 1-week.

In addition to online I also purchased a dart board for the gym/garage/man-cave. I even went all out and purchased top of the range darts, latest board, cupboard and even a matt which gives the oche measurements. That was week 4 and it has yet to be erected.

Stage 6 – The Great British Bakers @House_of_Cocoa (Instagram)

I feel like everyone went through the same stages in lockdown. Started with panic-buying toilet roll. Followed by training to run a marathon then moved on to becoming DIY experts.

When me and my girlfriend realized a) there was no paint or DIY tools left and b) we genuinely have not got anything left to do in the house we moved onto the next thing that was vogue with the nation … baking.

Again, it felt like everyone had come up with this idea at the same time. Suddenly there was a national shortage of flour and baking products. Flour was as valuable on the black market as other white powders …

The baking phase lasted mainly with my partner as it is actually a passion of hers. She has started a brownie selling business during lockdown and they are genuinely fantastic – check her out on Instagram: @House_of_Cocoa (I did not start this blog with the idea of plugging anything!)

Even though I tried to help I could tell I was mainly a hindrance. So, I had to move on to something else.

Stage 7? – To Be Continued

Here I am. Still at home. Waiting to see what the next bright idea will be, hoping the whole thing does not last much longer. Staying alert at all times. Lockdown restrictions have eased somewhat, and the nice weather has made the whole experience easier (can you imagine the huge outside Supermarket queues when it is heavy rain and cold!).

There are signs of normality resuming and things starting to improve. I hope I am not putting out a version two of this in 2-month's time.

A final note to praise those that have still been working during these times. The key workers doing a fantastic job. The delivery drivers who are now on first name terms with me. The employees who fell through the gaps on furlough and government support. I appreciate my circumstances pale into insignificance in comparison to many.

Stay well and I will see everyone on the other side!

James