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#WFH Diaries: Charlie Glassman of Co:Collective
As confinement continues in many parts of the world, Muse checks in with creative people to see how they’re faring. Here, we chat with Charlie Glassman of management consulting firm Co:Collective.
Give us a one-line bio of yourself.
I’m Charlie Glassman, a senior writer/creative at Co:Collective.
Where are you living right now, and who’s with you?
I live in a two-bedroom apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with my art director. Yes, you heard that right. He and I moved to New York from Toronto a year and a half ago, and we didn’t know anyone else in the city, so it made sense to find a place together. It’s actually been really fun being quarantined with him, and it definitely makes working a lot easier, but it also means we’re always brainstorming. Like, always. Our walls are pretty thin, and sometimes we’ll keep talking, even when we’re both lying in our respective beds. I’ll be watching a show and I’ll hear, “Wait, what about this…” from the other side of the wall.
What’s your work situation like at the moment?
So far things have been steady, even busy. Clients are also asking for ways to respond and be present in this crisis, so that’s turned into new projects. I’m really grateful for that.
Describe your socializing strategy.
I don’t really have one. After a full day of sitting at the kitchen table, staring at a screen, the last thing I want to do is more of it. I try to keep in touch as much as I can, but it hasn’t come that naturally.
What are you reading?
Honestly, I’ve been spending way too much time on Instagram. I’m not proud of it.
What are you watching?
For some reason, all I want to watch is Criminal Minds. You’d think with all the darkness happening in the real world, I’d go for something lighter. But every night I find myself back at the BAU, with Hotch and Prentiss.
What are you listening to?
Playlists of music from my high-school days. It’s oddly comforting.
How are you staying fit?
Dance cardio. I’m normally a bootcamp kinda girl, but these days I’m liking workouts that are part fun, part fitness.
Have you taken up a hobby?
I bought a bunch of puzzles early on in the quarantine, when they were still in stock, and I’ve really gotten into them. A few nights ago I started doing one, then all of the sudden it was 3 a.m. I also ordered a nail art kit thinking I could figure that out, but I’m definitely a writer for a reason.
Any tips for getting necessities?
I’m normally a small-batch grocery shopper, but now I try to get as much as I can, every time I go out, to minimize the trips I have to take. Even if I go to pick up—oh, I don’t know—a few rolls of cookie dough, I’ll try to get some other essentials as well. And not just the milk to go with it.
An awkward moment since all this started.
This has just been a personal awkward moment, but I haven’t actually done laundry since I started quarantining. Don’t judge me.
Best work email you got since all this started.
“Today’s daily stand-up is canceled.”
An aha! moment since all this started.
My kitchen table is very far from ergonomic.
What’s your theory on how this is going to play out?
I try not to speculate, but I’ve mentally prepared for this to be the new normal for a while. I’m also a little worried that once things start to get a little better, people will overcompensate, go wild with human contact, and make things worse again. Here’s hoping that doesn’t happen.
