Published on 12, July, 2020
So it turns out the stress and anxiety induced by commuting into London for work is a major contributing factor to my Crohn's disease which I've had for over 10 years.
Since the pandemic started I've been working from home and my Crohn's has healed, drug free, for the most part. It's been quite incredible.
Now, as a freelancer, the 2 companies I work with predominantly, have decided that everyone must work on site again. They don't care if you are disabled or not, everyone must return to the office.
I've been a loyal and very hardworking freelancer for them for about 9/10 years, but this doesn't seem to impact on the situation.
For the first time in years I had a panic attack today and am continuing to feel hyper anxious at the idea of commuting back into London again. A round trip of 4+ hours.
I don't understand why, given the climate crisis we are in, plus the pivot to home working that was so successful, that companies are requiring staff to commute 100s of miles a week again?
Is it just me or is this irresponsible and ignorant? Especially to those with disabilities??
eesh 4 hours travel.... yeah i wouldnt bother myself with that, i only look for work in a 5 mile radious of where i live so that if my vehicle breaks i can still get a single bus or train, or i can perhaps walk.4 hours travel, thats what id call holiday distance lol i wouldnt do that for a every day thing...although in america they have a big travel culture so any americans reading this would think im strange as they likely travel thousands of miles just to do their basic grocery shopping
What I do is quite specialist so I still rely on London quite a bit for work. I'm trying to pull myself away from it and find some local opportunities but it's tough out there atm