The back to work dread - Covid edition

[Maria444]

Serious back to work gloom today. First time in about 10 years I’ve taken the two Christmas weeks off and it feels like it’s been forever.

I know it’s normal to dread going back to work but I feel like it’s all the more heightened at the moment as I’m just going back to sitting in my study, with no contact other than Zoom and texts with colleagues, but all the stress and deadlines that I’d have in the office.

Very lucky I know to have a secure WFH job but I haven’t seen any colleagues in person since March and going into 2021 with no real end in sight (despite all the vaccine promises!) just fills me with dread.

I never thought I’d say this but this point I’d actually like to be getting up, making myself look nice and dashing to a meeting with coffee in hand, making lunch plans with a colleague and using my commute for some down time. I still make myself look nice just for me, but it often feels pointless.

Any on else have the back to work dread more acutely than normal?

I know others have it worse and I shouldn't complain, but I'm really not looking forward to it. Had a new manager start during lockdown and it's been hard for him getting to grips with how we work, but he's driving me and my colleagues mad, micromanaging minor things and failing to give any real support with big things.

I’m dreading it because colleagues with school age children now off school will be (understandably) missing in action for most of the day and the rest of us will have to pick up their work . It’s a very hectic and stressful job as it is...