I recently started a new job. I'm in my mid 20s and all my previous jobs have been in academia or health care so very laid back but with quite a clear hierarchy. I applied for my new job completely remotely so didn't really get much of a feel of the company culture before I started, but now that I have started I'm finding it quite strange to get used to.
Most of my colleagues are in their 20s or early 30s with quite a quick career progression and so my manager is only a year or two older than me which is quite a weird dynamic as we have been out for lunch and drinks together and it feels like we are equals yet she's my manager? It's also very, very laid back. There is a good sense of humour among my colleagues and it feels like there is no professional 'front' or act like I have experienced in previous jobs. For example, we have a big project at the moment and on Teams everyone is just talking making jokes about comfort eating and wanting to quit. It's only when speaking with clients that the professional act comes out.
I really like the company culture but I feel like I'm finding it hard to adjust my behaviour and that I'm coming off too cold and serious just by habit of being used to different working environments. My prior job before this had a lot of micro-management due to the nature of the job so I'm used to even having to ask if I can use the loo (!), having my breaks timed to the minute and not being allowed to speak to any senior colleagues but having to go through my supervisor in a strict hierarchical way.
Does anyone have any advice?