We are living through unusual times, but most of us PGRs are in the privileged position of at the very least having some sort of access to technology that enables us to carry on with elements of our work. We are able to attend supervision meetings via MS Teams, and catch up with our friends and colleagues over Zoom or Skype, or some other virtually gathering platform as we join together in the search for some semblance of our lives Before Covid.
But as I found myself writing yet again into the early hours the other night, my little Question Guy surfaced again, and I began to ponder the downside of that technological advantage.
Before the New Way began, I attempted – often unsuccessfully – to find a routine that would lead to a fair balance between my work life and my home life. I felt that I failed spectacularly, and instead developed and indeed nurtured that Pet-like sense of guilt as I checked emails at weekends against a backdrop of patient family members and friends. Breakfast time resembled a court room as I automatically felt the need to defend my decision to not have eggs when there was no Subject Expert in sight! In short, my attempt to reach a healthy work-life balance was less than effective.
One bit of advice that felt particularly useful at this point, and one indeed that kept that not so fluffy and growing critter, Guilt, at bay came once again from the Psypag Survival Guide: http://www.psypag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/PsyPAG-Guide-2018-WEB.pdf
It suggested rather comfortingly that it was useful to build networks both within work, and at home. It stressed the importance of being able to discuss “day-to-day” life with colleagues who understand the difficulties encountered as a PGR, but made the point of reminding us of the need to break from PhD life occasionally, and to spend time with people who would discuss other issues.
Roll forward to the times of the New Way, however, and that attempt for balance feels a little more fantastical! Suddenly that divide has become blurred as meetings occur in rooms into which we would not normally invite our bosses – my PRP took place in my mum’s bedroom! At the same time, our family members are having to hear about our research in more detail, and certainly more often than they might wish.
We have entered a sort of “no man’s land” where the work- Life balance is being skewed. In some sort of weird Dr Who like manner, our Work selves are meeting our Home selves – surely that leads to a rupture in the space-time continuum?
Routines under the New Way may indeed be different, but I have found that creating some sense of routine however unorthodox has helped me to create a new work-life balance. I have managed somehow to bend rather than break, whilst this blurry divide falls into place.
Lara Carballo
PhD Research Student
Institute for Future Transport and Cities