Sometimes, it is so hard to keep thinking about why all of this is happening right now. On the other hand, we are trying to live as normal as possible. As a designer and a researcher, I really enjoy going to my office, drink my morning coffee and then start my working day with my favourite music and keep going to the end of the day.

Now, I am stuck at home with my four year daughter that needs my attention and love. After thinking a lot about my new routine, I realised that I have to be responsible and just live it, as simple as possible.
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​My PhD will not stop, my responsibilities will not take a break. So, I will be stronger and achieve my daily goals as I can.

Be strong. Be Kind. Be safe.

In the first hours, it is all in my head like a dream. I was not sure how I should react to this news 'New Zealand is going into alert 4 and lockdown for 4 weeks'. I have a 4 year old, I am in the beginning of collecting my data for my PhD research and going out to talk to people, I am moving from my home to a new one, and I have to submit some documents to Ethics people at VUW.

The first day was a mess. I am still feeling that this is a dream and I will wake up very soon to live my life as usual. But, I woke up and find my daughter smiling and want some pancakes. 

It is also hard when your family live very far and you are very concerned about what is happening there and how they are handling the situation in almost worldwide quarantine. 

I am trying to see the other side of the situation which is spending time with my family, slow my life down a bit, looking into my mental and physical health, and focus on the most important things that I should accomplish in this period.

So, I started by listing all the tasks that I could do from home like reading, writing my first chapters of my thesis, brainstorming ideas about my design, organising my physical and digital offices, and practice some of my beloved hobbies and interests.

I hope this time teach us to slow down and observe every aspect of our lives so we can get better and develop to a better future.
Stay home. Stay safe all.
Thanks