As COVID-19 has begun to take centre stage, we have set up our new home offices for the next few weeks/months. One of the best parts about working in our normal office space is sharing the laughs, chit chat and camaraderie with our colleagues. Friday’s are often a highlight for us. As of 4:30pm we try our best to take time to gather around the beer fridge to share a drink with one another before parting for the weekend. Although we are working remotely, this was not going to stop us! Last Friday we embraced out motto of ‘human truths powerfully told” and decided to spend our virtual Friday beers sharing our truths from the start of our new working from home set up.

“Your relationships with friends, family and the community are stronger than ever before”

Changing communications

We all clocked on pretty quickly that the way we connect with each other is being flipped on its head. Despite feelings of isolation, there was an interesting paradox that we spoke about. In time when you are physically seeing less people, your relationships with friends, family and the community are stronger than ever before.

We have seen this within our business too. With the Differentology team split across London and Newcastle, we have been having more (virtual) face to face interactions between the two offices. We don’t see each other as much as we would like and having more video calls has felt good. Even in these unprecedented times, we are learning ways in which we can change how we interact as a company for the long run.

“We are a research agency born with agility as one of our founding principles and flexible working has always been at the core of this”

Don’t know what you’ve got, till it’s gone

Although we are in a completely different setting at work now, we are able to seamlessly continue with business as usual. We are a research agency born with agility as one of our founding principles and flexible working has always been at the core of this.

However, we are missing the little things about going into the office. Some of us miss our commute, which we never thought we would say. It can be a time to mentally ground yourself and prepare for the day ahead but for others it is just an excuse to ride their motorbike twice a day.

We also miss each other. We spend most of our waking hours with our colleagues so it feels strange to not see them for so long. Luckily, we all recognise the mental and emotional value of connecting face to face over video call to keep us united. Any excuse to continue doing beer Friday’s!

“Despite a lot of uncertainty in society, we are still finding nuggets of amusement in our daily lives”

Continuing to find joy in life

Finding ingenious ways to continue with our hobbies has become the new normal. Activities that were predominantly face to face like music lessons and yoga sessions have now been adapted for the screen. When there is no sport on, watch marble racing on YouTube will have to do. New hobbies like adult colouring books are being taken up to as they offer an escape and reignite artistic flares.

Despite a lot of uncertainty in society, we are still finding nuggets of amusement in our daily lives. Silly games to play with those around you are becoming more frequent as a way to just have a bit of a laugh. If you haven’t played the game ‘sing a song mimicking the artists voice as best you can’, then you’re missing out. Sharing funny stories about dogs being walked by drones, dogs being told off for not staying two meters away from one another and doing a dance in the supermarket instead of hugging can help bring a smile too.

Here at Differentology we are continuing to work as a collective to deliver what we always do. We are here for each other. We are in this together and look forward to coming out the other side stronger than ever.