I’m still working from home 100% but expect that my workplace will open back up a bit after the holidays, maybe? I have mixed emotions about that. After a year and a half, I can’t imagine going back to the way things were, being in the office 5 days a week. I am an introvert so working from home has been no issue for me; also, my job in the legal profession supports that. My primary responsibilities are reading and reviewing documents, and those are very well-suited to a quiet home office with a cat asleep on my desk and WRCJ classical radio playing in the background.
I’ve also been able to have time with my kid that I have never had since she was born. I’ve always been a working mother and so being around to see her off to the bus, to be home when she gets home in the afternoons, have a snack together, have her do her homework in the armchair in my home office while I’m doing my job – well, it’s been a blessing. It’s been an absolute gift of time and presence. But I do have to admit that from a mental health and productivity standpoint I also benefit from being in an office, too. I can relationship-build, have meetings, and resolve issues more quickly face to face than with a technological hookup like Zoom or Skype or Teams. And being isolated in a home office can be anxiety-producing for me. Issues that are just ‘one more task’ to complete in an office of bustling, busy colleagues with their own agendas, complaints and victories can become looming and dreadful in a home office. Problems can be magnified, worries fester. It’s easy to miss the forest for the trees and remember that I’m a part of a larger assembly, and we’re all going through similar things.
I know a lot of folks who are eager to get back; I know just as many who want to stay home full-time, which I do not think is an option in my company over the long term. So we will just have to see what happens.
Six Ten 
I can relate to this so much ❤
I'm working from home permanently now that we've moved closer to my husband's job – my company doesn't have an office out here (and I'm admittedly looking for another job, but options are limited here, which means I'll likely be working remotely for the foreseeable future). I definitely miss being in an office – it helps with my productivity and there's something about leaving the house every day that is a big mental boost. I miss my coworkers a lot and it's draining to WFH everyday without seeing anyone.
But I also do enjoy having my own schedule and being able to spend time with my pup in his pre-twilight years ❤ (And as a fellow introvert, I don't miss trying to concentrate while a bunch of side conversations are happening right around my desk). I try to leave the house every day for my overall well-being and sanity.
Anyway, I can definitely relate to the internal struggle. You had a longer commute prior to COVID, right? Maybe you can do a hybrid once things get back to normal – or will you be expected to be in the office full-time once it opens?
(Side note, your job sounds so enjoyable – I love anytime I get to do research with mine!)
Oh no, looks like all the formatting disappeared – sorry for the wall of text! 🙂
Thanks Jenny! I don’t think there’s any perfect scenario and I just have to roll with it. I have a commute if I go back to the office (anywhere from 30 mins to an hour depending traffic) so I guess I’m hoping for a permanent hybrid option. But overall, I do like my job and company so essentially however it works out, I will be fine.
I’m glad your schedule has worked out okay for you (we all know you have the best home office coworker 😍) and hopefully your job search is fruitful!
I’ve had to go back to the office full time and I hate it, I wish things never had to go back to “normal”. Normal sucks.