should inspire us just feel boring or unstimulating . The tasks on our list don ’ t get a second look , and some days even getting out of bed is too much effort ... especially during lockdown . Researchers have found that there appears to be an inflection point where the frustration and hardship of being cooped up suddenly gets harder to endure , and the further we continue in lockdown , the more we shift into that phase . So how does this contribute to our sense of being lost , or that our identity has been taken away from us ? Here are several ways .

Previously office-bound workers :

• The simple action of going to the office gave us a sense of identity , a place to be , and something we shared with others .

• Being at the workplace and connecting with team-mates , whether it be over a casual coffee break or collaborating on a project , gave us a sense of purpose and belonging , and of being accepted and valued .

Remote working :

• Our job role and function might not have changed , but where and how we work has , and this has also played a part in people feeling lost . Most of us do not cope well with change , and long for things to go back to the familiar , our normal routine as we knew it .

• Working at home may not be conducive for productivity , e . g ., noise both on our screens and in our surroundings , ergonomically unfriendly home desk set-ups , and home network and connectivity frustrations .

Comparison analysis :

• Now that the home has become the workplace , what was once our private , safe space is now being intruded upon , so where do we go to ‘ get away ’ from a long day ?

• Some employees are self-conscious of their

home environment in comparison to what they see on their peers ’ screens , who perhaps have the luxury of a home office or more affluent surroundings , resulting in resistance to turn their cameras on and connect with colleagues .

Leadership :

• It can be time-consuming checking in with team members to see how they are doing , whereas before managers could grab a quick coffee or chat in the office .

• It is hard to keep the engagement and corporate culture alive in a remote world , whilst at the same time trying to accomplish one ’ s own deliverables .

Lockdown restrictions :

• For some , our regular daily activities such as group exercise or same interest social meetups ( e . g ., book club , toastmasters , etc ) have been limited , therefore increasing our sense of disconnect and isolation .

• People living on their own often relied on socialising with workmates and friends to detract from the fact that they live alone .

Different personality types :

• Those who may have thrived on being in a structured environment , be it office infrastructure , systems , processes or people , may struggle to focus , prioritise or ask for input and help .

• People that thrived on personal interaction and client visits may struggle without that interaction , and may feel lost , or bored and not stimulated .

So , if you are feeling despondent , lost or in limbo at the moment , take solace in that you are not alone . Allow yourself what was previously seen as a luxury , but what we have come to realise is an absolute necessity … some ‘ me time .’ Find something to do that brings you joy , even if just for a short period ,

preferably something creative like a DIY project , reading , writing , or a physical activity like exercise , or even tidying up the space around you . Choose activities with movement , which reset your energy levels and mood , and which have a positive impact on your psyche .

Also , in 2021 , being intentional is going to be at the forefront of everything you do , especially when it comes to interaction with employees or co-workers , to reinforce a common purpose and increasing their sense of belonging in a digital world . Social safety thrives off the sense of belonging to a group and feeling that you belong at work , and feeling that your work has a meaningful contribution is an essential part of our brain performance .

Psychological safety is about creating an environment where people feel seen , heard , respected and safe to openly share their opinions , observations and contributions . Healthy relationships help to develop the “ trust hormone ” oxytocin , and this goes for both the home and the workplace .

Remember , people crave connection , and neuroscience backs this up . For the brain to survive , we need each other , and our sense of belonging , identity and meaningfulness is impacted by our interactions with others . Therefore , employers and leaders need to create an environment where social and psychological safety is noticeable , and we need to do the same on a personal level when it comes to our homes , partners and family .

Images : Pexels

Paula Quinsee is a relationship and life coach , Tedx speaker and author of Embracing Conflict and Embracing No . She is a passionate advocate for healthy relationships and personal transformation , and works with both individuals and companies to better understand relationship patterns , communication and conflict styles , emotional behaviours and traits , and how to have healthier human interactions in both our personal and workplace worlds . More info at www . paulaquinsee . com .