Before 2020, I had never imagined working from home. I was the kind of person who enjoyed the routine of getting up early, putting on smart clothes, and travelling to the office every morning. When my company first told us to work from home, I thought it would only last a couple of weeks. That was over two years ago.
At first, I found it extremely difficult to concentrate. My flat is small, and I didn't have a proper desk, so I worked from the kitchen table. The fridge was always just a few steps away, which meant I snacked far more than I should have. I also missed chatting with my colleagues during breaks. Phone calls and video meetings just weren't the same as talking face to face.
After a few months, however, I started to find a rhythm. I set up a small workspace in the corner of my bedroom and created a daily schedule that I followed strictly. I made sure to get dressed properly each morning, even though nobody would see me, because it helped me feel ready to work. I also began taking a short walk before starting, to replace the journey to the office.
The thing that surprised me most was how much extra time I had. Without the daily commute, I gained almost two hours every day. I used this time to start running, something I had wanted to do for years but never had the energy for after a long day at the office. I also found that I was actually more productive at home, because there were fewer interruptions from colleagues.
I still miss certain things about office life, especially the social side. But if I'm being honest, I wouldn't want to go back to working in an office five days a week. A mix of both would be perfect for me.