Back to it

It’s my first week back in the office and it’s about as exciting as you would imagine it to be, which is to say, not at all.  It felt like a horror movie version of deja vu, as I pulled into an empty parking garage the day after the holiday weekend.  The building leered at me as I fumbled for my entrance pass, juggling my purse and laptop bag.  Okay, maybe that’s exaggerating a little bit.  Our beige, bland building isn’t able to leer (not enough personality).  But I’m sure it felt a big smug about all the little worker ants, returning to the hill.

In true Texas summer fashion, the office A/C is running at full blast so I brought my space heater back into the office.  I have two of them pumping hot air toward my feet as I type.  Of course, because of "old" age and a weak back, I’ve pulled my right shoulder and neck from my new-again monitor / keyboard / desk chair combination.  It’s astounding, given Bryan and I built my home office desk and the one at work is supposed to be configured to the working person.  

We are also back to draping our bodies with work clothes, which is equally sad and depressing when you realize most office clothes are some version of black, grey, and dark blue.  Is there anything truly more tragic than wearing constricting fabrics and shoes that pinch your feet?  Not only that but I feel as though my office clothes are now dated.  Over the last year and a half, I’ve spent the least amount of money on clothing that I have in the last 10+ years.

I’m back again to eating sad salads for lunch.  Healthy, yes, however there are no snacks in the office either - I never realized how much I was snacking at home.  I have fresh fruit at home!  Homemade cupcakes and cookies!  There isn't the opportunity to get hangry at home during the workday.

All this to say, the return to the office blues have got me down.  And tired.  Change is difficult and perhaps this is an aversion to all the change we’ve experienced within the 1.5 years.  Or maybe this is a reaction to the change that hasn’t happened, in spite of everything we have gone through - particularly as a workforce - over the last 1.5 years.  I don't have the right answer but I do know my preference (as well as the preferences of most people I've talked to).  Change will come again, I'm sure of it, and let's hope that it improves this version of return to work.


Comments

  1. Hopefully your return to work is more successful than hours - less than two months back and our building is the epicenter of a huge resurgence in cases 🙈😬😖

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    1. Oh no! UGH! I hope you're staying healthy and back to working from home

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    2. Haha no, apparently this is a hill our governor is willing to die on (or rather, let his state employees die on) -- I'm mostly being facetious because I don't think anyone has ACTUALLY died yet but it's only a metter of time....... but by golly, WE'RE GONNA WORK IN THE GOSH DANGED OFFICE.... Sigh.

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    3. That's so frustrating. Stay safe. Maybe sr mgmt will learn something... eventually

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  2. Are you back at work full time? I have to go in September and I feel like I'll have similar thoughts.

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    1. Yes, we're back at work full time - womp. Everyone else's timeline is September - maybe that'll get pushed out too

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  3. I am so sorry that sucks on so many levels. UGH. Our company is being much more leniant (Smaller company though) by once they are back in full time office that means 2-3 days in office the rest at home. Luckily I live 15 hours away so do not have to go. Time for a job change for you?? :)

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    1. The dumb thing is that we ARE a small company (less than 200 employees), so you'd think more flexibility would come with that. I think you're right...

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  4. Ugh that sucks they made you come back in, any availability to flex?

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    1. My boss says our entire schedule is flex - which is as big of a lie as unlimited PTO. And now of course we have a case of COVID in the office. The whole thing is just absurd

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  5. Guuuurrrllll....I LOLd when you said you're using space heaters in Texas...in the summer....why do offices to that?! Anyhoo, I feel yah. Although I don't work in an office anymore, I remember those days, and I can only imagine now how hard it is for people now specially after being away. Just hang in there...XOXO

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  6. I saw you and Bryan use this opportunity to leave the boring office behind and start a furniture making company! I'd like to place an order for a headboard.

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