After months of working from home, and a COVID vaccine in production, we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. While we are not out of the woods yet, for many remote workers, this means that our time working from home (most likely) will be ending sometime in 2021. It’s time to start thinking about what that may look like.
For me, a return to work won’t be as simple as waking up an hour earlier, throwing out my (surely) dead desk plants, setting down my laptop, and getting to work. I have built a routine where aspects of my work life and personal life are dependent on one another (timewise), and that doesn’t make for a “clean break”. Although I am only a mom to a few fur babies, I think about working parents who have children who are e-learning, and, for them, the question of returning to work is dependent upon the school district and childcare availability.
If you have a child, pet, or another member of the family who now relies on you being home, or even if you filled your commute and/or lunchtime with a recurring commitment, the impending return to the office will impact this.
Whatever your specific circumstances, returning to work after over a year of working from home will be an adjustment. Here are a few tips on how you can prepare to return to work:
1. Supplies
Having physical supplies may seem obvious, but it is critical, nonetheless. What office supplies did you take home with you when Shelter in Place began? Double and triple-check that you remember to take it back into the office with you. Additionally, there may be a few new items you’ll want to stock up on.
Mask? ✔ Hand sanitizer? ✔ Disinfectant wipes? ✔
5. It's OK to Miss Them
When you return to work, you’re also changing the time spent with your loved ones. The emotional closeness brought on by being physically close can be quite a change. Set up a new picture of your kid(s), pet(s), or perhaps some artwork they created for you to help you through your day.
