To say that it’s been a whirlwind the last two years is quite an understatement. However, with a light at the end of the tunnel through these crazy times, many people who have worked from home are starting to be called back into the office to return to some normalcy.
Changing our routines, yet again, can be difficult and prove to be a hardship for many of us. If you are planning to go back to the office after working from home for an extended amount of time, there are some ways you can prepare to make it an easier transition and maintain your happiness.
Take It Easy
You can’t expect yourself to get back into the full swing of things your first day back in the office. It’s going to be a bit different from the last time you were there. From setting your desk up the way you like it to reconnecting with colleagues in person, it’s going to take some time to get into your routines and get comfortable in the office again.
That being said, you need to be easy on yourself. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself and your colleagues to jump right back in like an entire pandemic never happened. This stress and its high expectations will only cause problems and disappointment.
Get Comfortable
Your desk and office may feel a bit foreign after coming back from working from home for such a long time. When you sit down at your desk, reorganize and decorate it so you can make yourself comfortable.
We have all created a sense of comfort with our home office setups; now, it’s time to bring that comfort into the office. If you have a private office, you may want to reconsider its executive office design to make it more comfortable and productive.
Set Boundaries
If there is one thing that you should definitely do when you get back in the office is to set boundaries for yourself. Don’t let your boss or colleagues push you over the edge with urgent tasks, meetings running much longer than necessary, and encroaching on your personal time.
Setting boundaries for your employees and even for you can be difficult, but they are necessary, especially in the workplace. You may have even set some boundaries while you were working from home. Now, it’s time to keep those boundaries when you come back to the office.
Establish Routines
While you may be dreading commuting to the office every day again, look at this as an opportunity to establish new routines for yourself. In the morning, bring more intention to your day with meditation, a balanced breakfast, and some physical activity. This can change the entire outlook of your day, make you more productive, and increase happiness.
You can also establish a new routine for when you first get to the office. For example, if you’re trying to live a healthier lifestyle, drink one bottle of water when you first get to the office before you pour yourself a cup of coffee.
Don’t let this opportunity go to waste!
