If you are a bit nervous about returning to the office post-COVID, you are not alone.
After being isolated for more than a year, many of us are finding it difficult to fathom going back to commutes, publicly presentable attire (pants!), and the need to be more social. We grumbled about going into our caves, and now we’re a bit anxious about coming out of them.
So many questions.
What’s the protocol when we first meet in person again? Shake hands? Hug? Will people notice that I’ve gained weight? That my hair is different? Do I need a new wardrobe? What will the team dynamic be when we’re all in the same room? Will my job be the same? How will expectations of me change? What if I don’t feel like chit chatting? Will I be safe from the virus? How will I keep up with stuff at home when I’m gone all day? How have I changed over the past year?
Transition can be difficult and…as with most things, it’s easier if you have a plan. Here are some tips.
Assess your fears. What are you most worried about? Leaving the safety of your home and potentially getting the virus? Having to use social skills that have been dormant for a while? Make a list. Acknowledging your fears is the first step in overcoming them.
Talk to your leader. If it’s safety from the virus that’s troubling you, find out what safety protocols are in place at your office. Most public health departments have issued specific guidelines for office re-entry. If it’s the commute, ask about flexing your hours or continuing to work remotely for part of the week. Many organizations are going back to work in a hybrid model.
Test the waters. Get together for coffee or lunch with one or two of your teammates to catch up in advance of going back to the office. Chances are they’re feeling anxious or disconnected as well. Reconnect in a casual atmosphere so you can support each other through the transition.
Reflect on what you’ve missed. Make another list of the things you’ve missed about being in the office with other people. Brainstorming sessions? “Water cooler” chats? Fewer meetings? (soooo many Zooms over the past year)? Group celebrations? And how about that clear line between work and home?
Go easy on yourself. No doubt it took you a while to adjust to working from home. This may take some time as well. Practice self-care – take breaks, get exercise, eat properly, and remember to make time for the things that feed your soul.
“We are always in transition. If you can just relax with that, you’ll have no problem.” – Chogyam Trungpa
Till next time, keep it real.
Karen
