The Shift

As I waited at the traffic signal, watching the crowd around helplessly I wondered pandemic or no pandemic the traffic never seems to cease in this city of dreams. Two years back it use to take 1-1.5 hours one way to reach the office just 7 km away and the same happened today. Work from home vis a vis work from the office has been a subject of discussion for some time now and leaving the comfort of home traveling in so much chaos felt bothersome for sure. But as soon as I entered our office premises, the small garden blooming with flowers and the huge tall trees filled me with a feeling of coming back to my second home. Meeting old colleagues, getting introduced to new people for the first time in person, having a conversation with them, and watching all healthy and happy felt surely comforting. The desk, my favorite workstation space, and the set systems in the office all make work a little smoother and enjoyable for sure.

I have been loving work from home as I feel whatever location, whatever the situation the work never stops. We can manage our hours and plan our day except for the meeting schedules. It saves a lot of commuting time and energy which definitely enhances efficiency. Especially for many women, it proved to be a blessing since didn't have to worry about menstrual cycle dates or parents dint have to worry about kids being at daycare or with house help. But then it disturbed the discipline of routine also at times. Instead of following office times, I started working round the clock doing household chores in between. Multitasking became a regular feature that started taking a toll in silent ways. Work whether personal or professional became endless. We need to be very conscious about the timelines is what I realized after a long.

Working from the office helps to chalk out a fixed routine and have defined compartments. In-office we are travelers in the same boat sharing the same joys and laughter moments. So it is good for mental well-being. Getting ready for the office daily itself is quite refreshing . It is a motivation to buy and try new stuff and bring colors to life, in fact, a much-needed shift from loungewear. Working from home helps us to spend time with family but interacting with people and traveling add to our life experiences, enrich us making us more humble and wise definitely.

Being happy is the real mantra and whether from home or from the office, contributing to a process and being fruitfully busy is what matters at the end of the day for sure.