#WFH Diaries: Nicolette Lazarus of Khanna Reidinga Faralley LeBon

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on everyday life, we’re chatting with creative industry folks to see how they’re faring. Here’s what’s up with Nicolette Lazarus of Khanna Reidinga Faralley LeBon in Amsterdam, where she’s a client services director.

Give us a one-sentence bio of yourself.

A woman with a 100 percent record of getting through bad days.

Where are you living right now, and who’s with you?

In Amsterdam with my man Simon … and the voices in my head.

What’s your work situation like at the moment?

Twice-a-day video calls with the team. Things are so busy that … I’m filling in your list of questions.

Describe your socializing strategy.

I’m loving social distancing, but to be honest, they’re not the people I ever socialize with.

How are you dealing with childcare, if applicable?

Simon doesn’t take any more looking-after than normal, I guess. (Does that count?)

What are you reading, besides the news?

OK, you’re making me feel bad… should I be reading the news?

What are you watching?

Pandemic. His choice, not mine.

What are you listening to?

I asked friends a while ago to send me one or two tracks I should listen to, and it’s a great playlist … and of course BBC Radio 6.

How are you staying fit?

I have to abstain from this question because of the word “staying.”

Have you taken up a hobby?

It’s not even been four full work-from-home days yet! Ask me in a few weeks when I’ve got around to catching up on sleep and with friends I’ve not had the time to speak to properly in ages, clearing out drawers, and even worse, the spare room and garage…

Any tips for getting necessities?

Vodka, joints (remember, I’m in Amsterdam), oh and frozen Peking duck and pancakes. [Editor’s note: Nicolette is our new role model.]

An awkward moment since all this started.

Nothing more awkward than usual, although I admit that probably says more about me!

Best work email you got since all this started.

The procurement department of a large company using the current situation to re-negotiate a deal because all agencies, of course, want to secure work.

Maybe that’s not the kind of “best” you meant? Otherwise, definitely your email!

An aha! moment since all this started.

We’ve never known what’s going to happen tomorrow. Maybe this is a great time to teach everyone, including ourselves, that old age is a privilege. There has never been a time when everyone around us, or even ourselves, would reliably “grow old” and die … and what’s old, anyway? So let’s enjoy what we have, because that’s all we’ll ever have.

What’s your theory on how this is going to play out?

We’ll adhere to the fact that life is always stranger than fiction.

See the full #WFH Diaries series here.