With Covid 19 becoming a manageable and normal part of living, we are slowly approaching “pre-pandemic” levels of functioning, both socially and within the work place. While this has been largely positive, with people being able to re-connect with their loved ones and enjoy an active social life, it has also meant returning to in office work after two years of working from home.
After a period of constant change and uncertainty, the prospect of transitioning back into the office may be challenging. Perhaps you and your family established systems and routines based around working from home. Perhaps the lack of commute has allowed you to develop selfcare routines that you may not be able to maintain if you were to go back to in office working.
This is why many offices are instead transitioning to a hybrid work model where people have the option to work from home as well as some days in the office. There is no one right way of hybrid working, as there is no one way that works for every individual or organisation. It’s important not to compare yourself or your team to others. Rather, focus on identifying what works for you, your team, and your organisation collectively.
Even with hybrid work easing a return to the office, the transition may still evoke a range of emotions, from excitement to apprehension to worry. If you are perhaps more apprehensive than excited to return to work, that is okay and a normal response to have when we need to adapt to a new working arrangement. But there are some things to consider that may make the transition a little easier:
Focus on the possible opportunities: Returning to the office also means re-connecting with your colleagues. Working with your colleagues allows for far more opportunities for social interactions, as well as effective collaborations.
Improve your work life balance: One of the challenges of working from home was that the line between your home space and your workspace becomes blurred, which can be much harder to leave any frustrations or stressors from work at work.
Working from the office can improve your work life balance; your home shouldn’t be a place of stress, but rather a place of rest and relaxation.
Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings: Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings, even if they may be negative. Rather than focusing on whether your feelings are ‘right’ or ‘wrong,’ acknowledge that they are a part of your reality at the present moment.
Consider what you’ve learnt about yourself and the way you worked while you were working from home. Ask yourself:
- Were there any strategies or routines that you developed that helped you work more efficiently?
- How can you adapt these routines when you return to the office?
A hybrid working model doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect. By following these suggestions, you can take control of the way you work to ensure that you’re maintaining your wellbeing and getting the most out of your day.
