Returning to Work for the First Time in Two Years

Weird day for me today. I’ve been fully remote since March of 2020, and since that time… I’ve not been back to the office.

We’ve had some messages from work, encouraging people to come back. But I’ve still been very… apprehensive. I’ve still opted to remain home, and to work remotely.

This week though, we’ve had a lot of remote folks flying in expressly to be in the office. And it seemed like a good opportunity to see old friends again, and to meet new coworkers for the first time.

While I did get a chance to see some GH folks last July… it took place offsite, outside, and away from the office.

Today was my first day back, after over two years.

I opted to drive, instead of taking the Metra. I found a nearby parking garage… and this was apparently the floor where I parked.

A small sign from the universe that I should return to Scotland. Or perhaps explore the notion of really working remotely.

In the drawer next to my desk: a forgotten pair of shoes. Two years it’s been, with these guys just sitting around here waiting for me to show up again.

A lot of random debris that apparently has remained, all this time. While a lot of things were familiar, walking around the office was a surreal experience. Remembering the names of meeting rooms, the soft drink machines, the keycard access points. Really weird.

A funny story: during our Monday morning Sprint planning sessions, the Front End and Back End folks have their own teams/meetings. We go into separate Zoom meetings, do our thing, and then tend to join back together, once we’re done.

Today, the Front End folks met in person in a different conference room. When we were done, someone said “Let’s join everyone else now.” And so I immediately started to join the other Zoom meeting.

That’s when I looked up, and almost asked out loud: “Why is everyone standing up?”

It’s because folks were physically going to join the other team, in another physical room. Because we’re all working in person now.

This… is going to take some adjusting to.

Related:
Working Remote
Scotland, Day 1: Driving to Glasgow, Dinner at The Butchershop