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Leena Yousefi
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Leena Yousefi and her daughter at home in Vancouver, Canada.
My Money is a series looking at how people spend their money – and the sometimes tough decisions they have to make. Here, Leena Yousefi from Vancouver in Canada, takes us through a week in her life, as the world goes through the coronavirus pandemic.
Leena is 37. She is a lawyer and the CEO of YLaw Group, a law firm located in British Columbia. Leena has been chosen as one of the Top 25 Lawyers in Canada, and one of Vancouver’s Top 40 under 40.
Her recent LinkedIn post went viral with more than 43,000 ‘likes’ when she wrote: “One day I will tell you about all the sleepless nights and all the mornings I woke up and kissed you as I went to Court, so you know if I can do it, you can too.”
She lives with her husband and seven-month-old daughter and describes herself as “a true working mom.”
Leena’s week: Coronavirus, working from home, and trying to stay sane and grateful
Over to Leena…
I wake up to a tiny face with a huge smile from ear to ear. That is my daughter and she is completely clueless about what is happening in the world. She seems genuinely content just to lay on the bed next to me and touch my face with her tiny hands.
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Leena Yousefi
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Leena Yousefi’s seven-month-old baby girl.
Another COVID-19 morning, or is it anymore? We are out of quarantine and my favourite coffee shop has reopened and is grateful for my morning runs to grab my latte. Half of us are still working from home, and the other half come in and out of the office in our casual gear. I am doing the same. Today, I will be working from my kitchen.
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Leena Yousefi
Instead of jumping in the shower and doing my hair, I grab the baby and put on music. “Stand by Me” plays and I dance with her all around the kitchen and living room. She is so excited. This has become our morning routine, and I am grateful for the experience.
I play with her as much as I can and when she naps, I get to work. My husband is also at home so we try to split the responsibilities half and half. So far neither one of us is as productive, but still it’s not so bad. We are a lot more positive and happy being around one another, as difficult as it can be sometimes having no space or alone time. I find that when I leave home is when the reality of this situation really hits me.
I have been forced to cook most meals now that we can only do pick up or take out. I make a delicious Thai curry as my husband puts baby to sleep.
Total spend: 5 Canadian dollars (£2.84, $3.60)
I wake up after another sleepless night with the baby. She always greets me with a huge smile and makes me forget how hard of a time she gives me every night!
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Leena Yousefi
In order to get the company going and keep us connected, we have Zoom virtual meetings twice a week. My favourite is the second time which is our ‘happy hour’ at 16: 00 on Fridays. Tuesdays are mostly about getting a sense of just how much we have been hit by COVID and ways of thinking about how to keep the business afloat.
We talk, laugh, and come up with ideas together for an hour.