After a year of lockdown: home sweet home, or cabin fever?
We asked and you answered, what have you learned about your home throughout the course of this chaotic year, and how are you feeling about your current space now that we’re a year into the pandemic.
With dining-room-table offices, remote-learning living rooms and makeshift-barber-shop bathrooms, where rookie stylists attempt to trim their own bangs or sideburns, some say the more time at home, the merrier. And some are finding they’re desperate for more space—the tiny annoyances they once dealt with have officially put them over the edge.
Here’s how you answered: (some quotes have been edited for clarity)
Working out well
Some are finding there really is “no place like home.”
“I've learned to appreciate my alone time a lot more! It's also made me realize how adaptable we are—as people, employees and as a company. We can really work from anywhere and be successful. Most of the time, I really love working from home!” – Cecilia
“Safe, comforting. Surprised it can expand so nicely to add family to our bubble, and shrink again for just the two of us.” – Juliana W.
“Best purchase I made in a long time. I couldn’t enjoy my home any more than I do.” – Karen C.
Finding the silver linings
Despite some stir-crazy feelings, many are finding ways to appreciate some of the changes brought along by living in lockdown.
“My spare bedroom is not an ideal “office,” but I love being home when my kids go to school and when they get back. I doubt I will have the chance again in my career to get the “first take” from their day of school whether it is good, bad or just FUNNY!” – Doug G.
“I learned that no matter how many projects one completes on the home, it will always provide opportunities for more projects. But that was okay with me. I enjoy being busy at home.” – Kathryn B.
“My son is at home doing remote learning, my husband drops by to say hello a few times a day (because he’s a UPS driver and our home is on his route) and my co-workers are two furry dogs. What has gotten me through this working at home is the LOVE we all have for each other that only got stronger through this pandemic. We support each other daily, there is no stronger force than family love.” – Christina M.
“It's been a culture shock, but I'm getting used to it. I’m actually starting to prefer working from home—especially since I just moved into a new place in November. I’m making the most of that work/life balance.” – Mike D.
A “needs improvement” score
After a year of so much time spent at home, many who were already living in somewhat tight quarters to begin with have found that their homes just aren’t working for them anymore.
“Walls are closing in around us!! Need more room. And with this cold weather, a hot tub to boot!” – Michelle S.
“We've outgrown our home. It's way too cluttered and we probably need to upgrade!” – Amy S.
“It needs a lot of expensive work!” – Jocie B.
Ready to renovate
The “this is great, but we have a few projects in mind…” Whether it’s sprucing up the interior or adding another bathroom, many have decided they love their home, their neighborhood, their community, but some changes are in order.
“A year of being home together has made our house feel very small and has convinced us to finally pull the trigger on a renovation. We plan to build up on our bungalow ASAP!” – Katie W.
“Spending more time as a family at home, we collectively agreed to give our place a 'face-lift' including new appliances, new paint colors, new and modern furniture. It's not all in place yet, but we're more excited about living here now after 11 years!” – Tim O.
“Needs updating.” – Ellen
Despite some of the epic fails that have come along with our attempts to pivot during the pandemic—Zoom meetings gone wrong, remote-learning catastrophes…we’ve all been there—we can probably all agree that we’re lucky just to have a roof over our heads. But hey, it doesn’t hurt to dream about a new home, a new bathroom or a new yard—or just the day when your living room is no longer a classroom.