Reintegration into the Workplace (and the World)
Tricia Gehl, Boon Coach
Every conversation I have lately seems to include some variation of the following sentences: “I can’t wait to get back to XX,” or “I can’t wait to start doing XX again.” Although a lot of us want to get back to some of our pre-COVID behaviors and experiences, we are still just peeking around corners making sure the coast is clear and not yet doing anything.
(Some of us) are looking forward to getting back into the workplace, but have yet to put on real pants, locate our ID badges, and show up at the office. Many of us are looking forward to traveling, but have yet to book that plane ticket, hotel room, or cruise. We’re excited to see our broader teams and start attending those big conferences again, but we’ve yet to venture outside the Zoom zone. We’re still a bit afraid, which is completely understandable!
Although we’re excited to resume some of our pre-COVID practices, just the thought of some of those practices have us filled to the brim with stress and anxiety. So, what do we do?
Baby Steps
A lot of us have been working remotely for over two years; that’s two years of building new habits, rituals, and coping mechanisms. Remember all the work we did at the beginning of the pandemic, to create those new habits and help ourselves adjust to remote work and life in (semi) isolation? Expecting to step right back into operating the way we did in February 2020 is setting ourselves up for failure. Moving slowly and making incremental changes will make our reintegration more comfortable.
Pick and Choose
Remember that it doesn’t have to be everything all at once. We often think the remedy for being uncomfortable with change is to force ourselves into several changes all at once. But what if we gave ourselves the permission to pick and choose one or two starting points? It’s okay to go back to the office but not book that vacation flight just yet. It’s perfectly acceptable to start going to indoor restaurants but stick to online exercise classes. Focusing on where you’re most craving change and starting there will make it easier and less stressful.
Maintaining Boundaries
During the last two years many of us have discovered new hobbies, created new rituals, and developed new ways of being. Some of these things were born out of necessity or from being in survival mode, but some were intentionally created and have become cherished and beloved activities and practices. Putting boundaries in place to hold tight to and honor the new practices that are currently enriching your life is key. Make these new beloved practices your non-negotiables and fit in everything else around them, and not vice versa.
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