Lucy Kennedy has revealed she wants to re-evaluate her life and career demands following her lockdown experience.
The mum of three has been broadcasting her Radio Nova show from home every morning since the day after Covid-19 hit Ireland.
She admits the enforced slower pace of life made her realise just how hard she had been working.
Lucy told RSVP Magazine: “The busiest time of my life was presenting Ireland’s got Talent while also doing Living with Lucy and joining Radio Nova – it was actually just a blur.”
“So much so, I don’t remember turning 43. I’m now 44, but I don’t remember my 43rd birthday, I was working so hard. Isn’t that bizarre?”
“The weeks rolled into months and suddenly a year had passed.”
“I don’t know if I’d ever put myself under that pressure again. Now I’m still working hard but my balance is better. In the past I have tried to fit everything in and got overtired. But I am now thinking, ‘God I was so busy’. I think we have all had a reality check and it will change us for the better.”
Like many parents, Lucy has had to adjust to working from home with the added chaos of children running around and no childcare.
While she has found it stressful at times, Lucy believes her listeners have empathy for her situation with other parents trying their best during lockdown.
She said: “Jess might come in in the middle of me doing the weather telling me she needs her bottom wiped and I’m trying to tell her mummy’s on
the radio.”
“But I think our listeners love it because everybody is in the same boat as me. I’m doing everything everyone else is doing, but on the radio.”
However, Lucy revealed she adjusted to working from home quite quickly and, as an early morning presenter, she loves the more relaxed start to the day it has given her some precious time in the morning.
She added: “You can get a little more sleep. You don’t have to make the effort. I could technically do the show in my pyjamas.
“Now I try not to do that but I have often sat there and suddenly thought to myself, ‘Am I wearing a bra today?’ It’s just difficult when the children need me. That’s where it is easier being in the office.”
“But I think it’s very possible that the future of broadcasting is having the option to do it at home, less money for office space – it’s a win-win for everyone.
“I don’t see in the future, that I couldn’t do the odd day at home. I would say most radio presenters are saying the same thing. there is no reason we can’t.”
For Lucy, another silver lining of working from home is spending more time with her children.
She said: “I love being the person they see when they wake up and that is a huge plus for me. I would miss that terribly if I have to go back to the office.”
- Read the full interview with Lucy Kennedy in RSVP Magazine on shelves Tuesday.
