My employer just announced that the office is opening back up soon. I was a lucky one who could work from a home office during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I’ve had moments of anxiety about returning to “normal.” But, I already see signs of it. The streets and highways are getting crowded again, for one.

There’s been a lot of chatter in the media about the future of office buildings. The pundits are convinced that anyone who can will always work from home – or from Aruba.

Not me. I’m excited to return to the office – at least for a few days per week. (If only I could teleport there!)

I miss my office-office:

• I miss seeing coworkers in person.
• I miss the serendipitous connections I make in hallway conversations. Some of my best projects started this way.
• I miss working in a mostly utilitarian environment, where the laundry isn’t waiting to be folded.

A growing feeling has surprised me: I don’t want an employer living rent-free 24/7 in my home office.

As a freelancer, I loved my home office – the freedom, the convenience, the tax write-offs. As a W2 employee, I know I’d grow to resent donating my personal square footage to a company.

So, what does this have to do with pants? I’m wearing them; and I’m going to get some new ones for my return to the office.

Illustration: Danny E.G. Moynihan

Categories: Ephemera, Random