Why I Sit In My Car All Day. In This Pandemic

Every time I got on to my office weekly Monday meeting, one colleague or the other would ask, "Charvi where are you travelling in a car in this pandemic?" I wasn't really going anywhere. I was sitting in my car to work. It was the quietest place in my house. Safe from family's noisy conversations and from the pressure cooker whistle in the kitchen.

"Charvi, the pandemic has affected you the least," my friend would often joke. It's one thing to work from home and totally another to be working out of car. But when you are stuck, you find solutions that work for you. I miss the peace and privacy I enjoyed earlier when no one was working at home and I alone did. I can't work in chaos. So car it is.

I tried a couple of options like going to the nearby cafe in the morning hours when there aren't many customers but the fear of contracting the virus I just dropped the idea. I tried working at night when everyone was asleep but that was affecting my health and quality of sleep. Few days later, my mom suggested a wonderful idea of working out of my car. Implementing the "Optimum utilisation of assets" theory, I decided to sit in my car and work. And my life changed ever since.

1. No pressure cooker whistle, no spat with brother

It is a quiet place and I am in absolute control of my surroundings. I don't pick fights with my brother anymore and he is extremely happy too. This arrangement is important for a hyper sensitive person like me who doesn't like noise. Also, my work requires me to be creative and this small sanctuary gives me the peace needed to nurture my creativity, deliver quality work and meet deadlines.

Work from home is easier said than done for women

2. Private "Shanti"

My car gives me the private space that I want to analyse and organise my thoughts. I hate being scrutinised all the time and that's exactly what I could get rid of working from my car. I could also retain my productivity and focus by doing so and am able to complete my targets.

3. Got rid of "Awaaz Nahi Aa Rahi" problem

We have always had issues with phone inside the house. But my car is parked just outside my home so I can easily access my home wifi but also improve my phone signal. Besides that, I don't face any network issues because I am technically working outside which means I can be a part of zoom call as well as talk on my phone smoothly. Therefore, I have best of both the worlds.

4. Great dose of Vitamin D

Who doesn't want to sit under the sun during Delhi winters and get a free dose of Vitamin D? We all want to right? Working from car lets me enjoy the warmth of the sun and I always have the option of opening my car's window to let some air in or remove my jacket if the winter sun starts heating me up.

5. The perfect jugaad

We are Indians and we love jugaad. Who wants to see their assets lose their value and feel helpless about the situation?  I am making good use of my car which had lost its temporary purpose in the pandemic. 

I think I found the panacea for the work from home problems I was struggling with. It is working wonders for my mental health too. But now, there is something else I am worried about - What will I do when winters end? Will it be feasible for me to keep the AC on throughout my working hours? Maybe I will invest in a portable air conditioner or a foldable car fan. Only time will tell.