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When Pandemic-Mandated Working From Home Arrangements Become Permanent
The second day back from my holiday leave and I’m like a cat on a hot tin roof. I struggled to find my way to the desk let alone sit still in it. I’ve made my second cup of coffee well before the effect of the previous one has worn off. It’s fairly telling that the one thing I’m giving concerted attention to at this moment is writing this piece.
It’s different this time. Returning to work but not returning to work. I’m not commuting to the city but walking to the front room in my house where I have set up my office.
It’s not just that the goalposts have been moved but that I can’t actually locate them. It’s like one of those dreams where I’m trying to feel my way ahead while stumbling around in the dark. What do I do now that I’m back?
The return to work office banter that I was never particularly attached to suddenly seems full of meaning. Who will signal the start of my work year now? Happy New Year emails aren’t just aren’t doing it for me.
In my job, it’s normal to have a quiet period after the Christmas New year shutdown of two weeks or so. Usually I can turn my mind to those projects that fall by the wayside for the rest of the year…
