Coping in the New Era of Sharing Space

As the holidays are upon us, it’s a good time to reflect on the year and get ready to say goodbye to 2020. Or should we say, “good riddance and thank goodness this year is ending.” The year 2020 has hit us all hard. It’s been a major adjustment for every one of us, especially those who’ve had to deal with health scares, loss of a loved one or a job, or exhaustion from being home all the time. The year brought some new things that we’ve had to adjust to, like wearing masks, enduring lockdowns, and social distancing. For those who have jobs, working from home and video conferencing is now the new office cube. And who could forget the great toilet paper shortage of 2020? The challenges this year has brought are many, but one topic we would like to focus on is “sharing space.”

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, people spent most of their days apart from their loved ones, either at work, school, or other activities. Kids went to classes, had after school programs, and visits with friends. Many people commuted to their workplace and some even traveled for their jobs. Now, people are faced with living, working, and educating their children alongside their family members — around the clock. Some have mentioned that it seems like we’re in the movie Groundhog Day where Bill Murray repeats the same day over and over again, and the same song plays on his radio every morning as the announcers says, “Ok campers, rise and shine.” A lot has changed in 2020 and yet some days it seems like a struggle to make each day different.

For some families, there have been funny moments perfect for storytelling when this is all over. Have you been on a video conferencing call for work and had the humbling experience of dogs, cats, kids, partners, and all kinds of other intrusions breaking into your work world? As far as homeschooling goes, I think everyone has an even greater appreciation for all that teachers do. Being a family member, worker, and teacher all day and every day in the same space is challenging.

Despite all of the difficulties, there is some good news.

The Skillsoft families have generously shared their stories and tips for surviving this era of togetherness through a new course called Sharing Space: Living, Learning, and Working at Home. Check out this complimentary resource for a lighthearted look at how some families are coping and gain some practical advice.

Remember that we are in this together, and we are here to help. From our families to yours, we wish you peace, happiness, and well-being in the new year.