Whether to go back to work - opinion please!

[Lovethatjourneyforme]

So I normally work in an office but since April have been working from home. I have come to the point now where I really hate working from home, I find it really isolating, dull and honestly it just makes me feel quite down sometimes. I have the opportunity to go back if I want to, but obviously the guidance at the moment is if you can work from home do. The thought of going from this, through to maternity leave and a total of nearly 2 years at home though, is just a bit much for me.

Would I be stupid to go back in to the office, when I don't need to? I'm 14 weeks and live in a pretty low risk area. There's only about 10 people in an office which normally houses around 100. And I wouldn't be considering it if it wasn't honestly starting to affect my mental health.

Opinions please?

I would absolutely go back to work. You say you're in a low risk area and would be with around 10 people instead of around 100, so I imagine it would be easy to keep your distance.

I am pregnant too and I'm finding it very isolating. This is my second pregnancy. When I was pregnant with DC1, it was so different. I got to interact with people and have a nice distraction when things were tough. Socialising definitely helped my mental health.

I found out I was pregnant in March and then lockdown came and I was told our office were to continue working but from home (NHS) Once lockdown eased and our office had made sure social distancing measures were put in place I was about 22 weeks pregnant and so only had 6 weeks to make the most of working in the office with a few other people before I had to work from home at 28 weeks. Those 6 weeks were such a breath of fresh air! I would definitely work from the office but just follow guidance around the vulnerability categories when you get to later on in your pregnancy. :)

I've been back at work in Central london since July. I'm now 20 weeks and will continue to go in until 38 weeks. I would go crazy without the social interaction and the sense of normality. If you're fit and healthy normally then I really don't think it's worth putting your whole life on hold for and risking your mental health.

I am 22 weeks and I’ve had the exact same thoughts...I just want to get out of the flat. There’s barely anyone in the office and when we did start to go back in September, the trains were empty so the risk is low.

DH is really really against it, and that’s the only thing stopping me. Otherwise, I would start going in one day a week just for the escape.

If it’s safe for you to do it, just do it!

I'm 25 weeks and have also been at home since April - I absolutely hate it! So bored and lonely. If I could safely go back into the office for a couple of days a week I would, but unfortunately despite being in a fairly low risk area, my work aren't letting anyone work in the office unless they absolutely have to - and practically, I can 100% do my job from home. If you know you will be safe, you don't have to use public transport to get there and it would be better for your mental health, I would go for it 👍🏻

Thank you all for your replies, was worried people would think I was being reckless but I'm glad you all understand! I've decided I'm going back in, I'm having a risk assessment done on Wednesday anyway so can make necessary changes etc and I'm confident I'll be okay looking forward to some socialisation!!

And I feel for those of you who are working from home and feeling the effects, it really can be miserable. Most people I know really like it but it just does not suit me at all.