Going back to the office after working remotely for so long will be a shock to the system. It seems like we just got used to a new normal, connecting virtually and the dividing line that has blurred between work and home. But now that the workplaces are reopening and we're getting back out into the world, it's time to find another new normal. And going back to the way it was is not possible.
The first step is to accept that there will be an emotional change. We have been working from home for almost a year and a half and have been isolated. Going back to a physical workplace will be a transition. Know and be aware that you will have valid concerns and feelings. We will not wake up and go back to what was pre-pandemic. Too much has happened.
Even if the pandemic hasn't affected you as much as others have, you've probably developed secondary trauma. You may not have lost a loved one or received COVID, but you have seen the world suffer around you. We all have altruistic genes and feeling helpless and hopeless can weigh on you. Stressors pile up and cause a lot of discomfort.
You also got used to a new schedule and routine, which has been in effect for over a year. We are used to Zoom meetings and can multitask while not physically present, such as texting under the computer screen.
A year of isolation has also created a sense of mid-term agoraphobia as there have been no opportunities to physically interact with others. We need to relearn some of those social skills. Although it was missed, it can cause anxiety in the beginning.
Many of us have created a dependency on being at home, where we feel safe from outside stressors. We've become accustomed to taking precautions to protect ourselves, and putting those behind us can cause internal conflict. If you're going back to an office environment, start small. Ask to start with a half-day return to the office, or return to work in the fall, especially if you need to arrange childcare.
A transition period allows for an adjustment process. Give yourself time. And talk to your employer to find out what measures have been taken. It's okay to ask what's being done to protect employees.
