Dear Olivia Knight

As incredible as it may seem, thanks to COVID-19 many of the changes I have experienced have been favorable. 80% of my work is remote. I have more time for myself, to focus on what interests me and what I want to develop. I don't have to be present at unnecessary meetings, surrounded by the noise of the office and the typical pressures of the work environment. I also have time to share with friends and family and I have increased my productivity without affecting my health or changing healthy habits.

In the wake of the pandemic, my role as a researcher and professor has undergone a significant transformation. The initial pivot to remote work, a necessity during lockdowns, has persisted in the form of a hybrid academic practice. This has, on one hand, infused my daily routine with a level of flexibility previously unimagined. I recall the early days of virtual lectures, where the dining table became a makeshift classroom, and family life hummed along in the background—a stark departure from the cloistered halls of the university. Yet, this merging of spaces has also entailed a continuous negotiation of boundaries, as the campus has, in a sense, extended into the home. The 'always on' culture that accompanied remote accessibility has sometimes encroached upon the sacred quietude of personal life, compelling me to draw invisible but imperative lines to preserve the sanctity of home.

The impact on wellbeing has been equally nuanced. The solitude imposed by the pandemic heightened a communal yearning for connection, catalyzing a shift toward more empathetic academic interactions. I remember the virtual coffee breaks that we, as colleagues, instituted, serving as a testament to our adaptive spirit and the newfound value placed on mental health. Yet, the digital interface, while invaluable, often lacks the warmth of physical presence, the chance hallway conversations that spark collaboration, or the impromptu student encounters that so often lead to mentorship. Rekindling these spontaneous interactions within a digital framework has required intentionality, a dedicated crafting of moments that aim to mimic the erstwhile effortless camaraderie of campus life.

Navigating this recalibrated academic landscape has also prompted introspection on the very concept of work-life balance in a post-pandemic world. It's been an impetus to re-envision work habits and personal boundaries. The flexibility now embedded in our academic structures has allowed for a personal recalibration—prioritizing tasks with an acute awareness of time and setting firmer boundaries has become central to maintaining equilibrium. The pandemic's enduring impact is not just the shifts in our daily routines but also a collective awakening to the importance of our wellbeing in sustaining the vibrancy of academic life. It has sown the seeds for a more conscious and comprehensive approach to integrating work and life, where the health of the mind is as paramount as the rigor of the intellect.

I was working as Assistant Professor during COVID-19, Pandemic and lock down. During that I have to take online classes. I used to finish my routine household work quickly, since I was staying alone and I was chanting a lot of Nam Myo ho renge kyo. This gave me strength. I prayed for all others whom I knew, for whatever challenges they had in alliance with them. This gave me immense contentment and satisfaction. This is how I survived with my fever and certain symptoms. I do not know, but that was the time I utilized in a best possible manner. I also had certain enlightenments about many things during this period. I discovered a new self within me