This Month' Topic: Coronavirus & Working and Studying At Home

BeU is a monthly column made for and by women. The aim of BeU is to create a safe online space where girls and women from across the globe can share, inspire and connect with one another to help each other grow. Topics that will be discussed range from body positivity, to period struggles and taboos, mental health issues, story highlights, relationships, student life, and much more.

I'm really excited about the idea! I hope that with the creation of this online space it will be a place where authenticity, kindness, and inspiration are the building blocks for girls and women aiming to inspire and connect with one another.

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Daniela De Los Bosques 

I had (finally) got a new job for the lockdown but unfortunately I couldn't work a day because of the lockdown (Spain). I wanted to do something with coaching for a while, but I did not know exactly which direction (fitness or life coach). During the lockdown I started to study, read and followed other coaches. Because of this I started to take a close look at myself and formed a completely different mindset! As a result, I have now obtained my life coaching certificate and am now setting up my life coaching! I experienced the lockdown as a completely new birth and I look back on it as a happy child with a new gift! Despite the fact that we lived 3 months without work and without money (with 2 daughters), we were able to bridge this period with help and a job here and there !! The lockdown was a new beginning for me !! :) Follow Daniela here!

Esther Adwoa Hoogeveen

The lock down began a week before my exams, so this led to uncertainty in my academic life. Prior to that I had everything figured out and I was ready for my exams, only to be told it’s postponed until further notice. I was confused as to how to plan my studies and I was suffering from a lack of motivation. On one hand I felt the need to study, and on the other hand I didn’t know when I would write my exams or if I would.  I came to realize that the solution was in good time management. Until my digital exam dates were known, I spent every day doing at least a 4-hour study and then ending the day with something I love. Be it reading, writing poetry, or learning a new language. My plan worked as I passed my exams with flying colors. Overall, in times of uncertainty, it’s okay to not always be productive, all that matters is that you’re moving forward. Follow Esther here!

Yvonne Bruin 

At the beginning, when it was just announced in China, I already had the feeling that it would also come to the Netherlands and that it would only be a matter of time. COVID-19, which name was not yet known at the time, would one day cross the border with Europe and then also cross the Dutch border. I had no idea what this would mean for the world and also for me. I usually don't want to appear selfish, but in a pandemic situation you will think about what a virus like this can mean for me, my friends and family and my studies. I had just started my graduation project for my bachelor. Started with a lot of ambition, but no idea where it would go; if the virus comes and I can no longer work as usual on my project. It was then in March. The "corona virus" reached the Netherlands and that took its rules with it. I study and live in Brabant, so it cut right at the same time. The first "big" setback and meeting the regulations was that my gala of the study association was canceled. Besides that it was a great pity that a party was canceled, I had also worked hard on making my own dress. Fortunately it is moved and I can put it on again. But that was not all. I just got a new side job at a clothing store. After working 2 times I got sick and 2 days later the store had to close. Yes, I may have had corona. I have never been tested (both during and after) because the tests were not available. For 3.5 weeks I had almost all symptoms, which meant that I did not go outside for 3.5 weeks. On the news I heard all the changes and measures in the world, but I didn't get any of it. All I saw was that the street was empty. And then I was allowed to go outside again. And the whole world had changed at this time. Suddenly supermarkets had a car wash for the carts and you had to disinfect your hands everywhere. The 1.5 meter was for me first 2 meters. I found it quite scary to see people (especially when I just got out). I had no idea if I really was no longer contagious. Fortunately it all went well and I did not light anyone. Of course I was also still graduating. Everything at home and digitally. Very strange, because my studies are mainly physical, I study Industrial Design. Lots of group work and make moments. The faculty tried to pick up education as well as possible, but of course I lost a lot. Less contact with friends, no possibility to work in labs, etc. You were actually completely isolated. Fortunately, I found my way in online meetings, creating and testing. This allowed me to finish my project. Perhaps something other than hoped, but with a good result. Normally you show the result at the end of a project on a demo day. Because of the measures, this was of course digital. During a project you work towards this day. However, with a lot of stress, but it is so very cool to do. Unfortunately I was not allowed to physically present my project, which was a lesser conclusion to my bachelor. Fortunately, I can say that I got my bachelor's degree! Despite the strange circumstances, I managed to complete my bachelor so that I can continue with my master next year. It is yet to see how this will be classified, especially because there may be a new wave coming. But just like this time, I will let it get to me and row with the oars that I have to be able to continue learning and work and that I can also take my social life back a bit. Follow Yvonne here 

Krizha Revellame

The Corona virus is hitting us very hard we wake up in the morning and wonder? is the nightmare over now? Or is it……. maybe becoming our whole new reality? This pandemic was changing ourselves. Resulting positive and negative effects because my travel plans are cancelled many times, being with the family and friends and also to continue my Au pair experience to other country was delayed. To the point that I feel pressured about it, thinking too much and doing any possible options I could because I almost to get there since I start the application last month of December 2019 it took so long. But still I’m hoping and waiting for that. Until last 16 of July finally I got my visa and the day after was my flight immediately. During Corona time it makes me more lazy in the first week when the virus spreading all over the country and I don’t want to stuck laying in my bed and do nothing. I need to be productive this is the way to find ourselves even what are the situation right now all we have to do is reacting, adapting, making necessary changes, all the time because we can!
So just few weeks ago I decided to join the Empowered Consumerism. It is a leading Multilevel Marketing and Direct Selling Company and I’m still studying the system so if you are interested lets do this together just feel free to contact me via krizharevellame@gmail.com and my Facebook: Krizha Revellame and I will be glad to reached you out. 

Daniella Fotiadis 

We currently live in a world where the new normal is very different from before. Where one person can no longer leave his home and every cough thinks of corona, the other thinks completely differently. Where one is extremely lax, does not pay attention to keep the correct distance, the other is attentive to everything, keeps more distance than indicated and only goes to the store for the essentials. There is a different form of normal for everyone, but everyone tries to master the current measures. In this way I could not escape it and I was forced to observe a different form of normalcy. In March I would finally start my new challenge as a contact specialist at APG Pensioenfonds. When it became clear in mid-March that almost all of the Netherlands actually went into lockdown and many companies had to close their doors. For a few days I was very stressed about whether my new job would continue, after all I had already quit my old job. No one could have predicted this crisis, otherwise I would have waited to quit my job. Fortunately, I was soon told that my new job would continue, but from a distance, because I was allowed to work from home. The company provided a laptop, an extra screen and even a work phone, everything I and my new colleagues needed to be able to start the training from home and get started as soon as possible. The training lasted four intensive weeks and the time flew by. What used to be your safe haven at home and your place to relax suddenly became my workplace too. In the beginning it took a lot of time to get used to finding the right balance between your work and your private life. During the day you work in the same environment where you are with your family in the evening, where you try to relax, but also live. The meetings of the departments take place via Microsoft teams and there are also possibilities to maintain contact with colleagues by telephone, but of course also via Skype. It's quite tough to work, learn and live in the same environment. I think you get used to it with time, but now at the beginning of the training period, there is quite a lot coming your way. So much new terms and new information that you get on your plate during the day. In more normal circumstances, you will leave the office and leave work more quickly if you close the office door and open the door to your house. Now it is a bit more difficult and it is up to yourself to find a better balance between your private and work life, everyone has to figure out for themselves what works and what doesn't. I have now been working 32 hours at home for almost five months, my hours are spread over the five working days during the week. Now that I am in line myself and am no longer studying intensively, it is easy to work from home. Just like me, many colleagues have indicated that when we can return to the office, we want to combine it with working from home. This shows how much we have already mastered the new reality. For tips to find the right balance between your work and private life in quarantine time, please consult my website via this link https://daantjeslife.com/2020/03/28/de-recte-balans-tussen-je-prive-en -working-life-in-quarantine-time /Love
Daantje