Ask Ash: Groundhog day again?

I feel like I essentially have a different job since COVID. Before, I frequently had to travel around the country to attend different courts, and often to England to visit different offices. Although the travel was not always very glamorous, it did at least ensure variety in my role. Now our firm, like many others, has made clear that working from home is likely increasingly to be the new norm. Quite frankly, I’m getting tired of the sense of déjà vu, with the same setting every day and lack of variety; and unfortunately I’m not feeling very motivated as a result.

The sense of groundhog day is not uncommon, especially as we continue to navigate through the challenges and restrictions of the pandemic.

However, I would say that as with any new, unfamiliar territory, there will require to be a period of adjustment and settlement. You say yourself that you did not always enjoy the travel, and you therefore have to remind yourself of some of the previous negatives, including the early, often cramped domestic flights, overcrowded terminals and delays.

Try to focus on the positives of your current circumstances, including having greater flexibility and not having to rush home to have meals with your family/friends, or to rush to catch a bus or plane – and of course, in not wasting precious time on commuting.

In any case, things are starting to resume to more like pre-pandemic times, and therefore your job is likely to continue to evolve. In the meantime, try to inject a sense of variety to your day by meeting up with colleagues, or looking to volunteer at a local charity or starting a new interest that perhaps you may not have had time to undertake before. Any new activity which helps to inject a fresh perspective into your daily routine will help to give you a boost, and hopefully help with motivation levels too.

Therefore try to remain positive – and let’s see where this surreal pandemic journey takes us.

“Ash” is a solicitor who is willing to answer work-related queries from solicitors and other legal professionals, which can be put to her via the editor: peter@connectmedia.cc. Confidence will be respected and any advice published will be anonymised.

Please note that letters to Ash are not received at the Law Society of Scotland. The Society offers a support service for trainees through its Education, Training & Qualifications team. Email legaleduc@lawscot.org.uk or phone 0131 226 7411 (select option 3).