The chairs that broke me
Lockdowns in New Zealand were a unique challenge. It wasn't just the isolation from friends or the inability to dine out — Uber Eats and video games aptly filled those voids.
Unlike some of the flatmates I lived with, I was lucky to be employed. Much to the chagrin of my flatmates, I made the dining room my workspace.
While those around me feared every cough and unwashed hand, I was preoccupied with deadlines and PR reviews.
In the end, I never caught COVID. Instead, I caught a bad back.
What follows are some of the chairs that became the bane of my existence.
Living & Co Monaco Bench
The dining room bench: suitable for large households and adult dorms, the latter being my home for the first lockdown experience.
There were four benches, and they all felt the same. They served as a harsh reminder that outdoor seating doesn't translate to indoor comfort.
The dining area wasn't a suitable work-from-home environment. It soon became obvious that my productive energy was not compatible with the sticky environment, reeking of spilled unemployment cocktails.
So, I moved into the hallway and needed a new chair.
Kmart Foldaway Chair
Thankfully, Kmart delivered. Like an inmate choosing their last meal, I picked out every confectionery item as if it were my last. And, of course, a chair to go with that large Toblerone.
It may not look it, but this chair was far more comfortable than it had any right to be. But like anything easy to carry, someone eventually carried it off.
As I prepared for the next lockdown, I found a new home and began considering new chairs.
Living & Co Fabric Chair Grey Wood Look Legs
This chair is the epitome of budget dining furniture. You’ll see many variations of this style, but the faux wooden legs and sad grey fabric cover define this particular model.
New homes need new furniture. After exhausting my funds on a large 65” television set, I opted for an economical choice, buying four of these chairs.
Credit where credit's due: these chairs were easy to assemble and consistent in quality. Unfortunately, all four were uncomfortable to sit on for more than an hour.
Metal Bar Stool
No work standup is complete without sitting down at a kitchen island. The standing desk before there were standing desks. And, as with all standing desks, a tall thing to sit on is needed.
While my legs rested, my back didn’t.
New Zealand wouldn't be my last stop. Soon, I was on my way to a new city, with new sitting experiences awaiting.
Herman Miller About a Stool
This wasn’t the Herman Miller chair I had in mind when I checked into my hotel room.
It’s a stool. And I don’t think it’s a genuine Herman Miller.
You can find similar discomfort for a third of the price on AliExpress.
Luckily, I couldn’t afford this hotel for long.
Kneeling chair
I have an office again and I have an eclectic looking chair to claim.
The “Chicken Chair” as coined in the workplace. Few knew how to sit on it. Apparently even in the age of the internet, one can still argue over sitting instructions.
This chair was the most comfortable for my back. Perhaps it was the superior ergonomics, or maybe it was the forced breaks due to tired knees.
Ikea Markus
New jobs in inconvenient locations meant it was time to set up a home office. I committed to buying a proper chair.
The best thing about Ikea products is their popularity. Popular means there are plenty of reviews and opinions.
After hours of browsing top ten lists and Reddit comments, I settled on this affordable, well-rated Ikea office chair.
The internet can be wrong, sometimes.
My current setup: The modified Markus
A towel fixes everything. Today’s incarnation of the Markus as you see it keeps me productive. A stolen hotel towel is folded into a form of lumber support.
I wish I could say the back pain has disappeared but it continues to be a debilitating aspect of my life. I’ve canceled many a social adventure out of fear of how my back will act up.
Better home ergonomics and Pilates are helping to correct the pain, but it didn’t need to get this far. Do yourself a favor and:
Buy a good chair for home, even if it costs you.
Ask for a good chair at work, even if it costs them.
Always carry a towel.