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Original poster

Motivation for going to the office

49 replies

Carla224 · 24/04/2023 14:59

So like many of us we are in the process of either returning to the office, or returning for more days in the office.

This is not a 'how can I get out of it' type of thread. I have to go. As does everyone else. I get it and I will go in.

Instead it's a - any tips or tricks to help me get more motivated for it? I'm in 3 days a week and I feel like I have Sunday dread multiple days of the week now! Pre-covid Sunday dread was only really on a Sunday!

So - mumsnetters, how do you stop your Sunday dread type feeling?
How do you put yourself into a more positive headspace about it?
How can I get out of the funk and make myself feel more positive about going in? instead of it feeling like it's all this huge effort.
What do you look forward to when you do go to the office?

OP posts:

ThreeRingCircus · 24/04/2023 19:31

Similar to the above.

I enjoy dressing more smartly and wearing things that I wouldn't wear at home.

Treat myself to lunch.

Chatting with colleagues.

Try to make sure I've planned in some face to face meetings.

Enjoy the change of scenery and getting out of my home town.

Playing music in the car on my commute.

I love the drive home from work and arriving home, it feels better than just turning off my laptop and walking downstairs to my kitchen.

lljkk · 24/04/2023 19:34

With Uni DS home for hols, I lose the multiple big screens and private space to work (his bedroom), so the at-home distractions soar. I am opposite from OP in that I can't find any motivation to work at home. Hugely looking forward to chance to go to office.

RampantIvy · 24/04/2023 19:34

Clearly most of you seem to work in cities with loads of coffee/lunch options nearby.

My office is on a trading estate next to a motorway, with nowhere to buy food anywhere near.

Sunset6 · 24/04/2023 19:35

We are encouraged to come into the office 2 days a week but can choose which day. I must confess there is a colleague I don’t like very much and I know his regular days are Tues & Wed so I find myself choosing to go in on Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays

Anon1368 · 24/04/2023 19:38

I like doing hair and make up, counting my steps, really good coffee, and having a laugh with colleagues.

murasaki · 24/04/2023 19:41

I've arranged for lunches with two different groups of colleagues for my two days this week. No real need to be in otherwise, but something to look forward to. I mostly do try to arrange something in person otherwise I'm sat in my single office wondering why I bothered and might as well be at home.

RosettaTheGardenFairy · 24/04/2023 21:07

BobbidyBibbidyBob · 24/04/2023 17:00

can i just hope on and ask what you all do in jobs that include a WFH element? I am in the city office 5 days a week and really want to find something with better balance.

Private Equity - Investment Officer

Not UK though, Amsterdam

RampantIvy · 24/04/2023 21:14

BobbidyBibbidyBob · 24/04/2023 17:00

can i just hope on and ask what you all do in jobs that include a WFH element? I am in the city office 5 days a week and really want to find something with better balance.

I work with data and website content. All my work is online and just as easy to do at home as it is to do at the office. I get more done at home as I have no distractions.

ExtremelyDetermined · 24/04/2023 21:39

RampantIvy · 24/04/2023 19:34

Clearly most of you seem to work in cities with loads of coffee/lunch options nearby.

My office is on a trading estate next to a motorway, with nowhere to buy food anywhere near.

I work on an industrial estate in a market town. Can be in the town centre or park on foot in just over 10 mins, so its not an every day thing but the option is there. I have a beautiful cross country drive from my home town and can stop at places that my smaller town doesn't have (eg Homebase, Screwfix) on the way home, all round its much better than being stuck at home all day. Plus brilliant colleagues.

GreenDressy · 24/04/2023 22:14

BobbidyBibbidyBob · 24/04/2023 17:00

can i just hope on and ask what you all do in jobs that include a WFH element? I am in the city office 5 days a week and really want to find something with better balance.

Higher education admin. You may not find the pay too impressive though 😊

louderthan · 24/04/2023 22:27

BobbidyBibbidyBob · 24/04/2023 17:00

can i just hope on and ask what you all do in jobs that include a WFH element? I am in the city office 5 days a week and really want to find something with better balance.

Project management. I go in at least two days a week (usually three) because I prefer it but I can do most of it from home.

Exaspa · 24/04/2023 22:49

My job needs a lot of concentration and I loathe having to go into the office and listen to endless drivel; have to attend team leader worshipping sessions, I mean team briefs and other utter wastes of time. I am at least 3 times as productive at home, I get hardly anything done in the office. And 97% of my job can be done off site, the IT is SO bad in my employer I sometimes think we should invest in a coop of carrier pigeons.

I'm an introvert in a department of cackling extroverts with voices that really carry and I hate it. That's without taking into account the abysmal public transport. On the one or two days a week I absolutely cannot get out of it I get myself through it by having nice coffee and a really nice sandwich or something. And yes, before anyone says anything, I am looking for a new job.

AnneElliott · 25/04/2023 07:47

I arrange a lunch with different colleagues so I have that to look forward to. I've worked in the same Gov Department for over 20 years so I know lots of people and won't run out of lunch mates!

Plus face to face chats with the team. And visits to our stakeholders - that counts as an office day and it's great to be able to do that again.

Greenfairydust · 25/04/2023 07:53

I am managing it by reminding myself that I will leave in a few months for a local job or a fully remote one...I am done with pointless commuting.

I think employers need to accept that the cat is out of the bag: people now know that many jobs can be done remotely and that many of us can't stand office politics and presenteeism.

Trying to bring back outdated work practices that are less beneficial for a large part of the workplace (people with caring responsibilities, disabled people) just means people will vote with their feet and seek better employers.

Greenfairydust · 25/04/2023 07:59

''@Exaspa · Yesterday 22:49
My job needs a lot of concentration and I loathe having to go into the office and listen to endless drivel; have to attend team leader worshipping sessions, I mean team briefs and other utter wastes of time. I am at least 3 times as productive at home, I get hardly anything done in the office. And 97% of my job can be done off site, the IT is SO bad in my employer I sometimes think we should invest in a coop of carrier pigeons.

Exactly this!

My role involves website/social media updates and a lot of detailed copywriting.

Our office is small so everyone is packed together, the IT/wi-fi set up is dire.

I can't do anything there because of the noise, chaotic environment and crap internet connection and the constant interruptions.

I do next to nothing in the office because of it...whereas I can get all my work done quickly at home with a better IT system.

Planning to leave in a few months as well because of it.

Silverrocks · 25/04/2023 08:02

Greenfairydust · 25/04/2023 07:53

I am managing it by reminding myself that I will leave in a few months for a local job or a fully remote one...I am done with pointless commuting.

I think employers need to accept that the cat is out of the bag: people now know that many jobs can be done remotely and that many of us can't stand office politics and presenteeism.

I'd go for a local job to be honest, unless a contract is fully remote which isn't that common have to be ready to go back in- locally commute wouldn't be too bad!

Morph22010 · 25/04/2023 08:04

We’ve been back in full time a while now and I’ve got used to it, however when we were wfh I did a lot of unpaid overtime as we were busy and it didn’t effect length of day due to no commute. Now I’m finding I’m still doing the overtime as still busy but getting home much later and I am planning to cut this down, but word of warning to not get into doing this

SallyWD · 25/04/2023 08:30

Things I love about working in the office:
-It forces me to make a bit more of an effort with my appearance so I choose a nice outfit, do my hair and make up etc. This names me feel better
-I walk to and from work. It's nearly 3 miles each way. This makes me feel great! And I sleep really well.
-I get on really well with my colleagues and love seeing them face to face and chatting about our weekends, life in general etc. I also like getting their advice on work related stuff.
-We have a nice cafe at work and many near work so I sometimes treat myself to lunch. Sometimes I take sandwiches, then buy nice desk snacks instead (it's all about the food)
-In the office I'm not distracted by domestic chores such as getting the laundry done etc.

ExtremelyDetermined · 25/04/2023 09:17

I agree home working is beneficial for some groups of people, but it is unworkable for many too, so I don't think office working is going to disappear any time soon.

Deathraystare · 25/04/2023 10:33

Never had the luxury of wfh, Receptionists cannot! I would have gone mad at home tbh. I only live in one room and also the thought of skyping or whatever you do to keep in touch would drive me mad. Plus I like the buzz of the place (even if it drives me mad sometimes). Don't read that bit out loud- I work in Mental Health!!!

I thought everyone was back already? The buses are crammed - much more people on than before we even heard of Covid and this is 6am!

dollybird · 25/04/2023 10:50

I changed jobs last year to work more in the office (we are allowed to WFH up to 2 days a week), but I hate my new job. The role is so different, we don't have Teams, I now have an hour commute each way, and I now have a lady in our team who sing/hums to herself all the time, which drives me nuts. I'd give anything to go back to my old job, and am actively looking for a new role, but very wary after this mistake.

thuytien · 25/04/2023 12:12

I'm in office 2 days a week and those days are packed with meetings, both scheduled and impromptu. I enjoy wearing something nice, putting on a bit of make up, fixing my hair, the office coffee machine, and lunchtime shopping for beauty stuff! Basically it's me time :)

mrsbyers · 25/04/2023 12:14

Personally I wouldn’t split it to alternative days I’d get the three days done in a block if possible and tues weds thurs would be my choice

Rulesdonotapply · 25/04/2023 19:13

This thread hit a cord. I have been summoned back to the office. Not happy due to health reasons and the fact everyone else has flexibility. But what can you do.

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