How to Mentally Prepare for Going Back to the Office

Working from home has so many perks that you will have to mentally prepare for going back to the office. For starters, you get to wake up later. Also, there is no commuting, other than from your bed to your laptop, which undeniably beats traffic jams and the time lost doing practically nothing. Unless you have a meeting, you don't have to bother putting your clothes on. You can comfortably stay in your pajamas and sip a cup of coffee while handling your regular daily duties. Even if you have a meeting, well, you can only throw something presentable on your top half. And don't forget to brush your hair!
We can joke, but some things are true. Working from home is convenient, despite potential difficulties turning your living space into a home office. Some people are so used to it that they don't ever want to go back to the old ways. On the other hand, others are excited about returning to the office and long the water cooler chats and the social aspect of going to work.
What both of these groups have in common is the anxiety they feel about going back to the office. The truth is, the transition will not be easy. Due to a long period of isolation, facing financial uncertainty, and considerable changes to work patterns, the Covid-19 crisis has had a massive impact on everyone's mental health. Therefore, it is, in fact, critical to mentally prepare for going back to the office. We have prepared a few tips to help you do that.
Have compassion - for yourself and others
The stay-at-home order happened instantaneously, and all of a sudden, anyone who didn't have to go to work started working from home. There was no time to prepare; there was no talking about it. Moreover, this drastic change in people's everyday routines brought about the loss of connection with others, lockdowns constrained our freedom. Also, since many lost their jobs immediately, others feared the same. Change is the hardest thing to get used to. According to evlmoving.com, even events as routine as relocations take time to process and accept.
Then for, a long time, there were many canceled holidays, birthdays were celebrated over Zoom, families couldn't reunite, hug, or kiss for months. We had no one to pat on the shoulder, say good morning to, or smile at while passing by for months. We had to adjust to new routines.
Now, relatively suddenly again, we are expected to go back to the office and be around people. We may remember what our lives used to look like, but that is a far cry from what they are like now. It may be hard to go back to normal. Therefore, it is crucial to have compassion for yourself and others. Understanding that we all may have difficulties adapting to people again, especially after months of losses and grief, will help ease back into the old routine or something that resembles it.
Take care of yourself so you can care for others
Taking good care of yourself has always been necessary. Now, we finally see the importance of it. It is essential to look after yourself physically and mentally. That way, you can be in a better place to support people around you - your family, friends, colleagues, and community.
If your schedule hasn't been very strict for a while, not it's high time you established a regular sleep routine. Moreover, it is crucial to set clear boundaries regarding the time when you work and the time when you don't. Health and nutrition are so intertwined that it's impossible to speak about one without the other. And make time for something you enjoy and helps you relax. It can be yoga, reading, gardening, jogging, etc.
Be an advocate for improvements in the workplace
Company leaders should create a welcoming and accepting environment where everyone can voice their ideas. Going back to the office after a year of turmoil is an opportunity for a fresh better start.
Some companies have decided to downsize their office space because many employees will remain in remote positions. So, it truly is a fresh start in a new environment. If that is the case in your workplace, make sure you start on a positive note. For example, office relocations are not easy, so if a moving crew has done an excellent job, give praise where praise is due. Make sure you write a moving review online and give them feedback; it will confirm they are doing something right and help other companies when they need a reliable crew to relocate their business.
Consider all the pros and cons of the time you spent working from home and how you feel about returning to the office. Your opinion matters and you should feel free to voice it and share ideas on making the transitions easier. Leaders should facilitate this, but employees can discuss among themselves all that pertains to the new routine. After all, it's employees who make a company and create an atmosphere of acceptance, growth, and progress.
Such conversations will also raise morale and make it easier to transition back into the office. Open and compassionate communication is critical in times like this. Engaging in it with your colleagues, bosses, or employees (whatever your role is) will help you mentally prepare for going back to the office.
Be realistic about your expectations
You only have a finite supply of energy and time during the day. Think carefully about how you want to distribute it. You can't be everywhere and everything. So, try to prioritize projects, activities, and people. The transition period will demand that from you because anything else would be an additional source of stress and anxiety.
Also, you may be going back to the office, but it would be realistic to expect that things will be the same. Different companies take different approaches, and there will undoubtedly be some limitations regarding how you interact with your coworkers. There may not be lunch rooms and meeting rooms anymore, or they may take on a different shape. You will also be likely to follow a set of safety measures.
Mentally prepare for going back to the office by visualizing the situation
One thing that can help you mentally prepare for going back to the office is to visualize what the workplace will look like and how it would feel. You will get some guidelines on how to behave and what rules to follow, so play out different scenarios in your head. It will not feel so new and unfamiliar when you are finally in that situation. And remember, we are all going through the same. Compassion, understanding, and open communication will be crucial for adjusting to the "new old."

