Dear Home Office: I Have Something to Tell You
March 16, 2020-May 23, 2022
Dear Home Office,
For the past 2 years, 2 months, and 1 week, I’ve had the privilege of working with you. And I have loved every second of it.
When we started out together so long ago, you were only allowed to be an “as needed” solution. You know — in case there was a sick child, teacher work day, doctor’s appointment. At the time, all I wanted was to work from home full-time but looking back, I can see that would not have been as wonderful as I imagined then.
You were painted that pleasant sandy color, a leftover from the previous homeowners. You were adorned with a hand-me-down desk and chair from my mom, who was a full-time remote work IBMer with (obviously) fancier digs.
Over the years, you also contained a rotating variety of what was needed at the time: pack-n-play, treadmill, toys, books. And let’s not forget the parade of desktop computers and printers.
In July 2020, when it became clear that working from home full-time had become an open-ended arrangement, we gave you a makeover. Cool gray walls, a fresh coat of white paint on the molding, baseboards, and door. All the dings, dents, and dust were cleaned up.
We added a new desk with matching shelves and cabinet, and a new ergonomic chair. It became productivity-oriented perfection, to say the least.
You have witnessed so many conversations, discussions, ideas, surprises. And change. So much change, which brings us back to now.
Starting tomorrow, it’s back to the (other) office. I expect it’ll be as strange to be back as it was to be away 2 years ago. It’s just part-time, so I’ll still get to enjoy the comfort you offer part of the work week. But it will be different and we’ll need to adjust and adapt, again, at least one more time. ❤️
