Confession... I have loved working from home during 2020 and 2021. After commuting to the Melbourne and Sydney CBD’s and ‘suiting up’ five days a week for over 12 years working from home was a refreshing change. Like most, I was comfortable in my trackies and Ugg boots moving from the desk to my lounge every night. That bit of extra ‘me’ time I spent going for walks on The Tan or even just doing more work, but it wasn’t a worry because I was already at home and as soon as I was done for the day or the week, I was able to switch the laptop off and get on with my evening.

As lockdown 1 to 6 in Melbourne came to an end, the thought of returning to the office full time did not excite me, in fact I’ll be honest I dreaded it. How could after 12 years of full time office work being the norm, two years of the ‘new norm’ had changed my view of office life forever? As life moves forward, lockdown (number six) ended and it was finally back to reality. You know what, I can honestly say I have thoroughly enjoyed being back in the office.

Dressing up, the buzz of hearing the team on the floor, along with the office banter (mainly aimed at me), in person Friday night drinks with the team and being able to chat to the team the whole day without saying once “you’re on mute” – imagine that? It has been wonderful; I had forgotten all the great things about being in the office.

Don’t get me wrong I am still loving the balance, I have been working three days in the office and two from home. The silver lining to all of this is the introduction to flexible working. The days from home when they roll around are welcomed as well.

If you have reservations about heading back to the office, I recommend trying it, you may be pleasantly surprised! If you are having real concerns about it, talk to your manager, peers and friends, I’m sure they will support you through the transition. If you have the option to ease into it, why not start midweek or even just one day and work up from there.

What has everyone else’s experience been returning to the office?