How to adjust to the Return to Office

I know that going into the office isn't the biggest problem in the world, after all I used to commute every day. However, I have long since become used to the simple joys that come with home working, so I am not looking at this change of situation objectively at all. There are also the negative connotations to consider, that return to office policies are followed by only one thing, and that too will be out of my hands. However, in an effort to keep this light, here is how I dealt with the joys of an enforced Return To Office policy...

All started well, it was a sunny sort of day and as it was Monday the train was quite empty. Also, as unamused as I am by the increase in office days, there is a nice view, and I have to be grateful for small victories in this new world. 

Contrary to official documentation, productivity has never reached such cavernous depths of despair. I'm sure that in the past, work used to get done in an office, but now, it feels like there has been a unanimous and unspoken decision that this is a place of chit chat. I for one am all for it. Love a chit chat! One thing that I can say with absolute certainty is that this has definitely built stronger 'collaborative' working relationships in the office, it's just that we are all collaboratively discussing how miserable we are. 

When the air conditioning came on, so did my hoodie, and on the first day there goes my attempt to be professional already! From there followed multiple discussions about the Formula One team on the back. To which, each time, I responded with a no no, I do not support Alpine. The hoodie was simply a lovely shade of turquoise, whilst all the others in the shop were a miserable sort of washed out grey, it was an aesthetic decision only. I fear this association will never leave me and I will forever be asked my opinion on Alpine's results each race weekend. Thankfully though this did then lead to more absolutely necessary and valuable corridor conversations about F1. Love F1 chit chat! 

Office days may be nothing to look forward to with regards to the work aspect, but there are small parts of every day where happiness can be found. Whether that be through gossip sessions, going out for a coffee, treating myself to something unhealthy or expensive (or both) for lunch, or planning something for after work. There are ways to get through each and every day no matter how difficult it may seem at the time, we just need to look for them. So, I will endeavour to find something to cheer myself up, and work on my own plans! I can do it, no problem!

Everyone dislikes sudden changes to their routines, especially those enforced by others and those we have had no say in. It kicks in an automatic 'fight back' response. Especially those which we cannot logically justify based on our own experiences. Even though I disagree with it, going into the office more regularly is my current situation, and no amount of crying, worrying or complaining is going to fix it. Although the occasional group complaining session may help me to feel a bit better. The most important thing to remember in all of this is that this is my life. If this change has made me unhappy, then I can find something that does. I have the power to fix it, to implement change, to put myself first. 

Perhaps this Return to Office mandate is just the nudge in the right direction that I needed, to remind myself of what I really want, and if there is truly something that I want from life then it is my responsibility to go for it!